These values affect the overall look of the surface; that is, the diffuse areas (as opposed to the specular highlights).
Click the Use color radio button to apply a specific color rather than an image. For details on how to use these controls, see Change colors.
To import a color map, click on the Use Image File radio button. Color maps replace a solid color with an image that appears tiled across a surface; for example, cloth or wood patterns. For details on how to use these controls, see Use image maps.
Filters the color and brightness of any Ambient Shadows on the object that the material is applied to. (Black = default black ambient shading, White = no ambient shading visible, Color = colored ambient shadows on top of the current material.) For details on how to create and control Ambient Shadows, see Apply ambient shadows.
Sets the distance from the surface that Ray Tracing ambient shadow calculations will extend. Any objects outside of this distance will not contribute to the ambient shading of the object in Ray Tracing. For more information, see Apply ambient shadows.
