To make it easy for you to get started we have included a PBR version of the Bentley_Materials.dgnlib that has PBR definitions for the materials that you have been using for years. To prevent surprises for existing projects these materials while delivered are not connected. The old library with legacy materials is being used. Why did we not go ahead and enable the new PBR version? Simply because it is likely any of our materials that you might have used were probably customized by you, by changing the scaling, mapping mode etc. We kept the names the same and we intend to add a wizard to let you change to PBR and maintain your customization if any, but this is not quite ready.
You have a couple ways to change and use these new PBR materials. The Bentley_Materials library is delivered by default to C:\ProgramData\Bentley\connectsharedcontent\materials and the new library is located here C:\ProgramData\Bentley\connectsharedcontent\materials\PBR_Library. You can rename or move the one located here C:\ProgramData\Bentley\connectsharedcontent\materials “for example change extension to be .dgn instead of .dgnlib” and then copy the dgnlib from here C:\ProgramData\Bentley\connectsharedcontent\materials\PBR_Library in its place.
You can also change the MS_MATERIAL environment variable to point to the new location, be sure to remove the old path to make sure you will be using PBR version.
Note: The PBR material definitions use new maps that are located here C:\ProgramData\Bentley\connectsharedcontent\materials\PBR_Materials and this folder has already been added to the MS_PATTERN search path. In addition to these changes the Bentley_MaterialWidgets.dgnlib has been updated to support PBR workflow allowing you to use shaded display for previews in the Material Editor. You will also notice two new preview widgets have been added Roof and Kitchen_Counter
If you are reading this, you may be wondering what other learning opportunities are available to you as a user and someone who’s interested in visualization. If you don’t already know, Jerry Flynn and David Burdick present monthly visualization Special Interest Group webinars where they reveal what is new and being worked on with regard to all thing’s visualization. Whether it be Luxology, VUE, Animation, LumenRT, PBR Materials, you name it they are talking about it as well as giving tips and trick along the way.
More details about PBR in MicroStation CONNECT Edition as well as PBR materials coming to LumenRT will be discussed in the upcoming sessions.
Additional resources for creating your own PBR materials:
Materialize (free)
Substance B2M
Substance Designer