Adobe has released Substance 3D Designer 16.0, a significant update that modifies core aspects of the software. The version introduces capabilities to generate and scatter 3D shapes directly, moving away from the previous 2D approach. Furthermore, it officially adopts the OpenPBR standard as the default material system, a change that entails the removal of the Iray engine and MDL materials. This evolution signals a new direction for the tool.
Technical Transition to OpenPBR and SDF-Based Generation 🛠️
The technical core of the update lies in two pillars. First, the native integration of the OpenPBR standard, which unifies the physical representation of materials and replaces proprietary systems. This requires two new rendering engines. Second, a new set of nodes based on Signed Distance Fields (SDF) for creating parametric 3D geometry. The Shape Splatter node now scatters these 3D shapes, offering greater control and variation in creating complex patterns.
Goodbye Iray, Welcome to the Engines Nobody Asked for by Name 😅
With the departure of Iray, users must bid farewell to an old friend, even if it was just to leave it rendering all night. Now they will have to familiarize themselves with two new rendering engines, whose names probably no one will remember until the next tutorial. It's the software lifecycle: you remove something people already knew how to use and replace it with something they'll have to search for in the menu. At least OpenPBR sounds like something open, which always looks good in a press release.