Adobe Released Substance 3D Modeler 1.5

Shaping 3D models has just become easier and more convenient with Adobe's Substance 3D Modeler 1.5. The updates include improved Surfacing tools, customizable materials, a new Export mode, IBLs, and a VR file browser. Let's take a look at each of them.

The most prominent change is the redesigned Surfacing tools, they work faster, produce better results, and allow for more functionality. Adobe added a Flatten tool to the kit, which, predictably, flattens surfaces.

The Buildup tool is now quicker and better, and you can import and use custom alphas as a brush for the tool. You're able to control the rotation and scale of individual stamps as you apply them.

Next, the Smooth tool now has the option to use movement-based or rate-based smoothing, giving you better control over your work. "We've temporarily removed the options to only smooth peaks or valleys with this update, but we're working on returning these features in future."

Finally, there's the Crease tool, which now has its own space on the Toolbar and is no longer under the Buildup tool. It is faster and produces better results.

Substance 3D Modeler 1.5 introduces basic support for PBR materials. Unique materials will have individual material IDs when you import them into Painter. With this, metallic and roughness values will be set based on the material assignment.

The Export option has also been changed and now has presets available for some software and use cases. In the future, you will see custom presets, too.

As for lighting, version 1.5 brings Image Based Lighting (IBL), which lets you use images to create an environment and helps create highly realistic reflections and lighting. The IBL tab is located on the Environment panel, you can select and adjust IBL stages there. IBL can be combined with lights to create customized lighting setups.

Other useful features in the release include VR file management, a new Fill color button in the Color picker, and improvements to reference images.

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