Select the template (this is fine as a starting point). Import your 3D mesh and click OK . Disable Unnecessary Channels
Create a new Fill Layer and set the color to a deep, dark tone (avoid pure black; use a dark blue, purple, or brown for richer shadows). Add a black mask to this layer. Add a to the mask and select Ambient Occlusion .
Establish the foundational color palette of your asset using flat fills. simple diffuse substance painter
Happy Painting!
Imagine you have just finished a beautiful stylized character or prop. Traditionally, you would spend hours painting individual highlights and shadows. With , your "story" of creation changes from a marathon to a sprint: Select the template (this is fine as a starting point)
Illustrates core painting logic inside a mask.
SimpleDiffuse is a smart material generator for Substance 3D Painter. Unlike generic PBR (Physically Based Rendering) materials that often require extensive tweaking, SimpleDiffuse is specifically designed to help artists create high-quality hand-painted or stylized textures quickly and efficiently. Add a black mask to this layer
Set the layer blending mode from Normal to . Adjust the layer opacity to gently ground your asset's crevices. 3. Edge Highlights via Curvature To mimic natural wear or light catching on raised surfaces: Add another Fill Layer named Edge Highlights .
Even if you are not using PBR shaders, you must bake your maps (Normal, Curvature, Ambient Occlusion, Position). These maps are crucial for using smart masks and generators to speed up your workflow. B. Create a Simple Shader
You can quickly apply top-to-bottom color gradients (e.g., darker feet, lighter head), a staple technique in character design.
Similarly, the feature lets you adjust the color and softness of ambient occlusion, preventing harsh transitions in dark areas. The Curvature Opacity control enhances or reduces the contrast on the edges of the model, making it ideal for hand-painted textures where you want the silhouette to pop or blend in softly.