Using CgFX-based materials

 
 
 

Mudbox supports the CgFX material specification on qualified graphics cards. CgFX is a shader specification that lets you create custom materials that use the power of your computer’s graphics card to produce many interesting materials and rendering effects in real time.

The main advantage of developing and using CgFX materials is that they are portable across many hardware and software applications (for example, between Maya and Mudbox) as well as other hardware platforms that support the CgFx specification (for example, games consoles).

For more information about the CgFX specification and how its structured as well as an in-depth tutorial, refer to the following resource: http://http.developer.nvidia.com/CgTutorial/cg_tutorial_appendix_c.html.

Notes on using CgFX files within Mudbox

Note

The definitions for the above semantics and annotations can be found on the NVIDIA Web site.

Loading CgFX files into Mudbox

Mudbox automatically generates the materials user interface for a CgFX material in the CgFX Based Material properties window for any CgFX file that is located in the effects directory. See Notes on using CgFX files within Mudbox on this page.

NoteThe effects directory also contains some example CgFX materials. Files placed in this directory can be in .cgfx format (unencrypted) or in .bin format (encrypted).

CgFX materials are compiled each time you launch Mudbox. The more complicated the CgFX materials in the effects directory, the longer Mudbox takes to launch.

Related topics

Create and apply materials