Create a shader or light

Create and copy new shaders and lights.

When you start a new scene, there is only the environment and one shader (the DefaultShader) defined (and assigned to all objects). You can create a shader (based on the DefaultShader) or light, or copy a shader or light that you have customized.

Shader#1 and Light#1 are not used explicitly as names; the first shader or light with a given name is implicitly numbered 1.

Tip

By default, shaders and lights are named sequentially as you create them: DefaultShader, Shader, Shader#2, and so on, and Light, Light#2, and so on. To avoid confusion, however, name all your shaders and lights as you create them. If you let the system assign default names and later combine two or more files, all shaders and lights will be renumbered to avoid duplicate names. It may then become difficult to distinguish shaders and lights by name.

To create a shader

See New Shader in Render > Multi-lister.

In the Multi-lister, select Edit > New Shader. A new shader swatch appears in the Multi-lister. The new shader has the same properties as the DefaultShader.
Create a light

To create a light using the Multi-lister

See New Light in Render > Multi-lister.

In the Multi-lister, select Edit > New Light. A new point light swatch appears in the Multi-lister and in the modeling windows at 0,0,0.

To copy a shader or light

In the Multi-lister, click the swatch of the shader or light you want to copy.
See Copy in Render > Multi-lister.
In the Multi-lister, select Edit > Copy. A new shader or light swatch appears in the Multi-lister. The new shader/light has the same properties as the original shader/light.