Creating a Material from an AxF File

You can create a material from an Appearance Exchange Format (AxF) file. An AxF file is a container format for material appearance (parameterized materials).

The AxF file format is the property of X-Rite Inc.

This task shows you how to:

Before you begin:
  • This material is used for visualization purpose only. It is not editable.
  • You can apply this material onto geometries only.
  • Only general-purpose AxF files containing an EP-GGX BRDF model are supported. They can be measured and produced by the TAC7 scanner. If your AxF files do not contain EP-GGX BRDF models, they can be added through X-Rite tools (see https://www.xrite.com/service-support/downloads/p/pantora-2021_1). These models are available from X-Rite v1.7 and later. Previous X-Rite versions are not supported.
  • AxF files are not shaders with imperative code.
  • AxF files do not contain nonappearance specifications (such as strain, price, stress, and so on).
See Also
Modifying AxF Materials

From the Action Bar

You can create a material from an AxF file directly from the action bar.

  1. From the Live Rendering section of the action bar, click Create Material from AxF .
  2. In the Selected AxF Files area, click , and then browse your filetree to select the appropriate AxF file (.axf extension).

    Important: You can select multiple materials at the same time. If one of the selected files is not supported, a warning message is displayed and only valid files are imported.

  3. In the Material Setup Information area, indicate the new material name in the Material Title box, or leave the default.

    Note: This box is relevant only when a single AxF file is used.

  4. In the Material Family, enter a new family name or leave the default.
  5. In the Material Type, select either Core, or Covering.
  6. Optional: Clear the Save materials into database box if you do not want to save all your materials in the database.
    Materials are created in session and saved only when the geometry they are applied onto is saved to the database. Unused materials are lost.

    By default, this check box is selected.

  7. Click OK.
  8. In the tree or work area, select the object onto which you want to apply the material.
  9. Use the context toolbar to select the structure level and the application mode.
  10. Click to apply the material.

  • If a single AxF file has been selected, the material is applied and a new material is displayed under the Materials node in the tree.
  • If multiple AxF files have been selected, the Material Palette opens to let you select the material you want to apply.

The AxF file is stored with the material.



From the Appearance Domain Dialog Box

You can create a material from an AxF file directly from the Appearance Domain dialog box.

  1. To access the Appearance Domain dialog box and edit the material appearance, do one of the following:
    • In the tree, expand the Materials node, and then double-click the material appearance .
    • In the tree, right-click and then select xxx object > Definition....
    • From the top bar, enter your search criteria for the material in the Search box, and then click . In the Material Browser, click next to the material to display the context menu, and then click Appearance.

    Any changes you make in this dialog box impacts the material appearance but also the visual aspect of all the applied materials referring to this material appearance.

    The dialog box contains different areas that you can expand and collapse.

    Area Description
    Preview Displays a preview of the material using a predefined shape, a default UV mapping, and a default black ambience.

    You can perform some viewing operations (pan, rotate, or zoom) and detach or attach the preview from the main dialog box. To do so, click:

    • to detach the preview from the Appearance Domain. You can move, resize, or dock the window to one of the four docking areas like any immersive panel.

      If you resize the window, the new dimensions are stored in the local preferences and applied next time you detach the window.

    • to attach the preview to the Appearance Domain dialog box.
    Appearance Parameters Contains a series of tabs that group parameters in a logical way.
    Tip: Double-click a tab to keep its parameters visible in the area. This lets you display the contents of several tabs at the same time.
    Substance Parameters Dedicated to material with Adobe substances.
    Reference Mapping Parameters Contains the mapping parameters for the material reference (that is, the material appearance). This mapping impacts all the material applications.
    Material application mapping Contains the mapping parameters for the applied material. This mapping is a local modification of the material appearance.

  2. On the right side of the dialog box, click .
  3. In the Selected AxF Files area, click , and then browse your filetree to select the appropriate AxF file (.axf extension).

    Important: You can select multiple materials at the same time. If one of the selected files is not supported, a warning message is displayed and only valid files are imported.

  4. Click OK.