Which shader to use when?

[Anonymous]

After scouring the internet for information about when to use which of Maya's plethora of shaders for a good couple of hours, I've decided to come and post here. Seeing as I find it very odd that there is no such guide or alike anywhere. So now I ask you wisemen & wise women of the Maya community. How do I know which shader to use when, any general guidelines?

Thus far I've found myself using aiStandardSurface for everything

Looking forward to your responses, best.

Mikkel

[mspeer · Accepted solution]

Hi!

"How do I know which shader to use when...?"

- Experience

..."using aiStandardSurface for everything"

- What's wrong with this?

For a "better" help, please next time ask something specific.

"Which shader to use when?"

- The answer / list for this would be infinite long

Also this: "...using aiStandardSurface for everything"

- What is "everything", how should someone agree or not agree?

The only recommendation i can give, if you use Arnold as renderer then use an Arnold shader and aiStandardSurface covers almost all needs for a shader.

[Anonymous]

My apologies for not being specific enough, being completely green on everything-Maya except for modelling kinda makes formulating the right questions difficult.

Thanks for the tips regarding surface shader, I thought it was only meant for surfaces such as floors etc. Not every kind of object 🙂

[mspeer · Accepted solution]

Hi!

For all kind of natural or real world objects aiStandardSurface will be the best solution.

Only for hair aiStandardHair is recommended.