Creating Compelling Materials and Textures

The believability of a render often comes down to the quality of its materials. Learn how to describe surfaces so the AI can generate textures that look real enough to touch.

A close-up view of various architectural material samples like wood, concrete, and metal.

Go Beyond the Basic Name

Don't just say "wood." Specify the type, finish, and form. This level of detail gives the AI the information it needs to create a specific, realistic texture.

  • Simple: "Wood wall"
  • Detailed: "A wall of vertical, charred cedar planks (Shou Sugi Ban)"
  • Simple: "Concrete floor"
  • Detailed: "Floors of polished white concrete with visible aggregate"
  • Simple: "Metal roof"
  • Detailed: "A standing-seam roof made of dark bronze anodized aluminum"

Use Adjectives for Finish and Condition

How does the surface interact with light? Is it new or weathered? Use descriptive adjectives to guide the AI.

  • For Finish: Polished, matte, brushed, glossy, satin, anodized, sandblasted, honed.
  • For Condition: Weathered, aged, reclaimed, mossy, cracked, pristine, brand-new.

Example: "A weathered, reclaimed oak floor" is much more evocative than "an old wood floor."

Combining Materials in One Prompt

You can describe the entire material palette in your prompt. Be clear and assign materials to specific architectural elements.

"A modern house with walls of board-formed concrete and a roof of patinated copper. Black steel window frames. The interior features floors of polished terrazzo and walls of light oak paneling."

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