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Comprehensive skill for Adobe Substance 3D Painter texturing and material creation workflow. Use this skill when creating PBR materials, exporting textures for web/game engines, optimizing 3D assets for real-time rendering, or automating texture workflows. Triggers on tasks involving Substance 3D Painter, PBR texturing, material creation, texture export for Three.js, Babylon.js, Unity, Unreal, glTF optimization, or Python API automation. Creates optimized textures for threejs-webgl, react-three-fiber, and babylonjs-engine materials.

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referencesexport_presets.md

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Substance 3D Painter Export Presets

Complete catalog of built-in and custom export presets for various game engines and web platforms.

Table of Contents

Built-in Presets

Substance 3D Painter ships with presets for major engines and renderers.

PBR Metallic Roughness

Context: starter_assets Name: PBR Metallic Roughness Use for: glTF, Three.js, Babylon.js, generic PBR engines

Output textures:

  • $textureSet_baseColor.png - Base color (RGB)
  • $textureSet_normal.png - Normal map (RGB, OpenGL format)
  • $textureSet_metallicRoughness.png - Packed texture:
    • Red: Unused
    • Green: Roughness
    • Blue: Metallic
  • $textureSet_emissive.png - Emissive (RGB) if present

Usage:

preset = substance_painter.resource.ResourceID(
    context="starter_assets",
    name="PBR Metallic Roughness"
)

Best for:

  • Web applications (Three.js, Babylon.js)
  • glTF/GLB export
  • Generic PBR workflows

Unity HDRP (Lit)

Context: starter_assets Name: Unity HDRP (Lit) Use for: Unity High Definition Render Pipeline

Output textures:

  • $textureSet_BaseMap.png - Base color + alpha
  • $textureSet_Normal.png - Normal map (DirectX format)
  • $textureSet_MaskMap.png - Packed texture:
    • Red: Metallic
    • Green: Ambient Occlusion
    • Blue: Detail Mask
    • Alpha: Smoothness (1 - roughness)

Differences from standard PBR:

  • DirectX normal format (Y-flipped)
  • Smoothness instead of roughness (inverted)
  • Different channel packing

Unity URP (Lit)

Context: starter_assets Name: Unity URP (Lit) Use for: Unity Universal Render Pipeline

Output textures:

  • $textureSet_BaseMap.png - Base color + alpha
  • $textureSet_Normal.png - Normal map
  • $textureSet_MetallicSmoothness.png - Packed:
    • RGB: Metallic
    • Alpha: Smoothness

Unreal Engine

Context: starter_assets Name: Unreal Engine 4/5 (Packed) Use for: Unreal Engine 4 and 5

Output textures:

  • $textureSet_BaseColor.png - Base color
  • $textureSet_Normal.png - Normal map (DirectX)
  • $textureSet_OcclusionRoughnessMetallic.png - Packed:
    • Red: Ambient Occlusion
    • Green: Roughness
    • Blue: Metallic
  • $textureSet_Emissive.png - Emissive

Note: Unreal's packed ORM format is widely used and efficient.

Arnold (AiStandard)

Context: starter_assets Name: Arnold (AiStandard) Use for: Arnold renderer (Maya, Cinema 4D, Houdini)

Output textures:

  • $textureSet_baseColor.exr - Base color (EXR 32-bit)
  • $textureSet_normal.exr - Normal map
  • $textureSet_specularRoughness.exr - Roughness
  • $textureSet_metalness.exr - Metallic

Note: Uses EXR format for high dynamic range.

V-Ray

Context: starter_assets Name: V-Ray Use for: V-Ray renderer

Output textures:

  • Separate files for each channel
  • High bit-depth support (16/32-bit)

Web/glTF Presets

Optimized presets for web and real-time rendering.

glTF 2.0 Standard

Custom preset for glTF 2.0 compliance:

{
    "exportPresets": [{
        "name": "glTF_Standard",
        "maps": [
            {
                "fileName": "$textureSet_baseColor",
                "channels": [
                    {"destChannel": "R", "srcChannel": "R", "srcMapType": "documentMap", "srcMapName": "baseColor"},
                    {"destChannel": "G", "srcChannel": "G", "srcMapType": "documentMap", "srcMapName": "baseColor"},
                    {"destChannel": "B", "srcChannel": "B", "srcMapType": "documentMap", "srcMapName": "baseColor"}
                ],
                "parameters": {
                    "fileFormat": "png",
                    "bitDepth": "8",
                    "sizeLog2": 10  # 1024×1024
                }
            },
            {
                "fileName": "$textureSet_normal",
                "channels": [
                    {"destChannel": "R", "srcChannel": "R", "srcMapType": "documentMap", "srcMapName": "normal"},
                    {"destChannel": "G", "srcChannel": "G", "srcMapType": "documentMap", "srcMapName": "normal"},
                    {"destChannel": "B", "srcChannel": "B", "srcMapType": "documentMap", "srcMapName": "normal"}
                ],
                "parameters": {"fileFormat": "png", "bitDepth": "8", "sizeLog2": 10}
            },
            {
                "fileName": "$textureSet_metallicRoughness",
                "channels": [
                    {"destChannel": "G", "srcChannel": "R", "srcMapType": "documentMap", "srcMapName": "roughness"},
                    {"destChannel": "B", "srcChannel": "R", "srcMapType": "documentMap", "srcMapName": "metallic"}
                ],
                "parameters": {"fileFormat": "png", "bitDepth": "8", "sizeLog2": 10}
            }
        ]
    }]
}

Matches glTF 2.0 specification:

  • BaseColor in sRGB color space
  • MetallicRoughness: Green = Roughness, Blue = Metallic
  • Normal in OpenGL format (Y+)

Three.js Optimized

Preset optimized for Three.js MeshStandardMaterial:

{
    "exportPresets": [{
        "name": "ThreeJS_Standard",
        "maps": [
            {
                "fileName": "$textureSet_color",
                "channels": [
                    {"destChannel": "R", "srcChannel": "R", "srcMapType": "documentMap", "srcMapName": "baseColor"},
                    {"destChannel": "G", "srcChannel": "G", "srcMapType": "documentMap", "srcMapName": "baseColor"},
                    {"destChannel": "B", "srcChannel": "B", "srcMapType": "documentMap", "srcMapName": "baseColor"}
                ],
                "parameters": {"fileFormat": "jpeg", "bitDepth": "8", "sizeLog2": 10}  # JPEG for smaller size
            },
            {
                "fileName": "$textureSet_normal",
                "channels": [
                    {"destChannel": "R", "srcChannel": "R", "srcMapType": "documentMap", "srcMapName": "normal"},
                    {"destChannel": "G", "srcChannel": "G", "srcMapType": "documentMap", "srcMapName": "normal"},
                    {"destChannel": "B", "srcChannel": "B", "srcMapType": "documentMap", "srcMapName": "normal"}
                ],
                "parameters": {"fileFormat": "png", "bitDepth": "8", "sizeLog2": 10}
            },
            {
                "fileName": "$textureSet_ao",
                "channels": [
                    {"destChannel": "R", "srcChannel": "R", "srcMapType": "documentMap", "srcMapName": "ambientOcclusion"}
                ],
                "parameters": {"fileFormat": "png", "bitDepth": "8", "sizeLog2": 10}
            },
            {
                "fileName": "$textureSet_metalness",
                "channels": [
                    {"destChannel": "R", "srcChannel": "R", "srcMapType": "documentMap", "srcMapName": "metallic"}
                ],
                "parameters": {"fileFormat": "png", "bitDepth": "8", "sizeLog2": 10}
            },
            {
                "fileName": "$textureSet_roughness",
                "channels": [
                    {"destChannel": "R", "srcChannel": "R", "srcMapType": "documentMap", "srcMapName": "roughness"}
                ],
                "parameters": {"fileFormat": "png", "bitDepth": "8", "sizeLog2": 10}
            }
        ]
    }]
}

Features:

  • JPEG for baseColor (70-80% quality, 10× smaller)
  • PNG for data textures (lossless required)
  • Separate metalness and roughness for flexibility
  • Separate AO map

Three.js usage:

const material = new THREE.MeshStandardMaterial({
  map: new THREE.TextureLoader().load('Asset_color.jpg'),
  normalMap: new THREE.TextureLoader().load('Asset_normal.png'),
  aoMap: new THREE.TextureLoader().load('Asset_ao.png'),
  metalnessMap: new THREE.TextureLoader().load('Asset_metalness.png'),
  roughnessMap: new THREE.TextureLoader().load('Asset_roughness.png'),
});

Babylon.js PBR

Preset for Babylon.js PBRMaterial:

{
    "exportPresets": [{
        "name": "BabylonJS_PBR",
        "maps": [
            {
                "fileName": "$textureSet_albedo",
                "channels": [
                    {"destChannel": "R", "srcChannel": "R", "srcMapType": "documentMap", "srcMapName": "baseColor"},
                    {"destChannel": "G", "srcChannel": "G", "srcMapType": "documentMap", "srcMapName": "baseColor"},
                    {"destChannel": "B", "srcChannel": "B", "srcMapType": "documentMap", "srcMapName": "baseColor"}
                ],
                "parameters": {"fileFormat": "png", "bitDepth": "8", "sizeLog2": 10}
            },
            {
                "fileName": "$textureSet_normal",
                "channels": [
                    {"destChannel": "R", "srcChannel": "R", "srcMapType": "documentMap", "srcMapName": "normal"},
                    {"destChannel": "G", "srcChannel": "G", "srcMapType": "documentMap", "srcMapName": "normal"},
                    {"destChannel": "B", "srcChannel": "B", "srcMapType": "documentMap", "srcMapName": "normal"}
                ],
                "parameters": {"fileFormat": "png", "bitDepth": "8", "sizeLog2": 10}
            },
            {
                "fileName": "$textureSet_metallicRoughness",
                "channels": [
                    {"destChannel": "G", "srcChannel": "R", "srcMapType": "documentMap", "srcMapName": "roughness"},
                    {"destChannel": "B", "srcChannel": "R", "srcMapType": "documentMap", "srcMapName": "metallic"}
                ],
                "parameters": {"fileFormat": "png", "bitDepth": "8", "sizeLog2": 10}
            }
        ]
    }]
}

Babylon.js usage:

const pbr = new BABYLON.PBRMaterial("pbr", scene);
pbr.albedoTexture = new BABYLON.Texture("Asset_albedo.png", scene);
pbr.bumpTexture = new BABYLON.Texture("Asset_normal.png", scene);
pbr.metallicTexture = new BABYLON.Texture("Asset_metallicRoughness.png", scene);
pbr.useRoughnessFromMetallicTextureGreen = true;
pbr.useMetallnessFromMetallicTextureBlue = true;

Mobile WebGL (Low Spec)

Aggressive compression for mobile:

{
    "exportPresets": [{
        "name": "Mobile_WebGL",
        "maps": [
            {
                "fileName": "$textureSet_color",
                "channels": [
                    {"destChannel": "R", "srcChannel": "R", "srcMapType": "documentMap", "srcMapName": "baseColor"},
                    {"destChannel": "G", "srcChannel": "G", "srcMapType": "documentMap", "srcMapName": "baseColor"},
                    {"destChannel": "B", "srcChannel": "B", "srcMapType": "documentMap", "srcMapName": "baseColor"}
                ],
                "parameters": {"fileFormat": "jpeg", "bitDepth": "8", "sizeLog2": 9}  # 512×512
            },
            {
                "fileName": "$textureSet_normal",
                "channels": [
                    {"destChannel": "R", "srcChannel": "R", "srcMapType": "documentMap", "srcMapName": "normal"},
                    {"destChannel": "G", "srcChannel": "G", "srcMapType": "documentMap", "srcMapName": "normal"}
                ],
                "parameters": {"fileFormat": "png", "bitDepth": "8", "sizeLog2": 9}  # Skip blue channel
            },
            {
                "fileName": "$textureSet_packed",
                "channels": [
                    {"destChannel": "R", "srcChannel": "R", "srcMapType": "documentMap", "srcMapName": "ambientOcclusion"},
                    {"destChannel": "G", "srcChannel": "R", "srcMapType": "documentMap", "srcMapName": "roughness"},
                    {"destChannel": "B", "srcChannel": "R", "srcMapType": "documentMap", "srcMapName": "metallic"}
                ],
                "parameters": {"fileFormat": "png", "bitDepth": "8", "sizeLog2": 9}
            }
        ]
    }]
}

Optimizations:

  • 512×512 maximum resolution
  • JPEG for color (lossy but small)
  • RG normal map only (reconstruct Z in shader)
  • ORM packing (3 maps → 1 texture)

Total texture budget: ~3MB (vs. ~16MB standard)

Custom Preset Examples

ORM Packing (Occlusion-Roughness-Metallic)

Most efficient packing for web:

orm_preset = {
    "exportPresets": [{
        "name": "Web_ORM",
        "maps": [
            {
                "fileName": "$textureSet_baseColor",
                "channels": [
                    {"destChannel": "R", "srcChannel": "R", "srcMapType": "documentMap", "srcMapName": "baseColor"},
                    {"destChannel": "G", "srcChannel": "G", "srcMapType": "documentMap", "srcMapName": "baseColor"},
                    {"destChannel": "B", "srcChannel": "B", "srcMapType": "documentMap", "srcMapName": "baseColor"}
                ]
            },
            {
                "fileName": "$textureSet_normal",
                "channels": [
                    {"destChannel": "R", "srcChannel": "R", "srcMapType": "documentMap", "srcMapName": "normal"},
                    {"destChannel": "G", "srcChannel": "G", "srcMapType": "documentMap", "srcMapName": "normal"},
                    {"destChannel": "B", "srcChannel": "B", "srcMapType": "documentMap", "srcMapName": "normal"}
                ]
            },
            {
                "fileName": "$textureSet_ORM",
                "channels": [
                    {"destChannel": "R", "srcChannel": "R", "srcMapType": "documentMap", "srcMapName": "ambientOcclusion"},
                    {"destChannel": "G", "srcChannel": "R", "srcMapType": "documentMap", "srcMapName": "roughness"},
                    {"destChannel": "B", "srcChannel": "R", "srcMapType": "documentMap", "srcMapName": "metallic"}
                ]
            }
        ]
    }]
}

Reduces texture count: 6 textures → 3 textures Shader setup (Three.js):

material.aoMap = ormTexture;
material.roughnessMap = ormTexture;
material.metalnessMap = ormTexture;
// Three.js automatically reads from R/G/B channels

Height + Normal Combined

Pack height into normal alpha channel:

{
    "fileName": "$textureSet_normalHeight",
    "channels": [
        {"destChannel": "R", "srcChannel": "R", "srcMapType": "documentMap", "srcMapName": "normal"},
        {"destChannel": "G", "srcChannel": "G", "srcMapType": "documentMap", "srcMapName": "normal"},
        {"destChannel": "B", "srcChannel": "B", "srcMapType": "documentMap", "srcMapName": "normal"},
        {"destChannel": "A", "srcChannel": "R", "srcMapType": "documentMap", "srcMapName": "height"}
    ]
}

Use case: Parallax occlusion mapping (height from alpha)

Emissive + Alpha

Pack emissive RGB + opacity:

{
    "fileName": "$textureSet_emissiveAlpha",
    "channels": [
        {"destChannel": "R", "srcChannel": "R", "srcMapType": "documentMap", "srcMapName": "emissive"},
        {"destChannel": "G", "srcChannel": "G", "srcMapType": "documentMap", "srcMapName": "emissive"},
        {"destChannel": "B", "srcChannel": "B", "srcMapType": "documentMap", "srcMapName": "emissive"},
        {"destChannel": "A", "srcChannel": "R", "srcMapType": "documentMap", "srcMapName": "opacity"}
    ]
}

Stylized/NPR Export

Non-photorealistic rendering (toon shading):

{
    "exportPresets": [{
        "name": "Stylized_Toon",
        "maps": [
            {
                "fileName": "$textureSet_diffuse",
                "channels": [
                    {"destChannel": "R", "srcChannel": "R", "srcMapType": "documentMap", "srcMapName": "baseColor"},
                    {"destChannel": "G", "srcChannel": "G", "srcMapType": "documentMap", "srcMapName": "baseColor"},
                    {"destChannel": "B", "srcChannel": "B", "srcMapType": "documentMap", "srcMapName": "baseColor"}
                ]
            },
            {
                "fileName": "$textureSet_shadowMask",
                "channels": [
                    {"destChannel": "R", "srcChannel": "R", "srcMapType": "documentMap", "srcMapName": "ambientOcclusion"}
                ]
            },
            # No metallic/roughness for toon shaders
        ]
    }]
}

Channel Packing Strategies

Standard PBR Packing

glTF 2.0 / Khronos Standard:

  • BaseColor: RGB (sRGB)
  • Normal: RGB (OpenGL, linear)
  • MetallicRoughness:
    • R: Unused
    • G: Roughness (linear)
    • B: Metallic (linear)

Advantages:

  • Industry standard
  • Maximum compatibility
  • glTF compliance

Unreal Engine Packing

Unreal's ORM format:

  • BaseColor: RGB
  • Normal: RGB (DirectX)
  • ORM:
    • R: Ambient Occlusion
    • G: Roughness
    • B: Metallic

Advantages:

  • Includes AO without extra texture
  • Widely used format
  • Efficient for complex materials

Mobile Optimized Packing

Aggressive compression:

  • BaseColor: JPEG (lossy)
  • Normal: RG only (reconstruct Z)
  • ORM: RGB (AO + Roughness + Metallic)

Advantages:

  • Smallest file size
  • Reduced texture memory
  • Faster loading on mobile

Disadvantages:

  • Lossy baseColor (visual artifacts)
  • RG normal requires shader modification

High Quality / Archival

Separate channels, high bit depth:

  • BaseColor: PNG-16 or EXR-32
  • Normal: PNG-16
  • Metallic: PNG-16 (separate)
  • Roughness: PNG-16 (separate)
  • AO: PNG-16 (separate)
  • Height: PNG-16 (separate)

Advantages:

  • Maximum quality
  • Per-channel editability
  • HDR support (EXR)

Disadvantages:

  • Large file sizes
  • More texture slots
  • Overkill for real-time

Preset Selection Guide

By Platform

Platform Recommended Preset Resolution Format
Desktop Web glTF_Standard / Web_ORM 1024-2048 PNG
Mobile Web Mobile_WebGL 512-1024 JPEG+PNG
Unity HDRP Unity HDRP (Lit) 2048-4096 PNG
Unreal Engine Unreal Engine (Packed) 2048-4096 PNG
glTF Export PBR Metallic Roughness 1024-2048 PNG
Three.js ThreeJS_Standard 1024-2048 JPEG+PNG
Babylon.js BabylonJS_PBR 1024-2048 PNG

By Use Case

Use Case Preset Notes
Quick web export PBR Metallic Roughness Built-in, universal
Smallest file size Mobile_WebGL JPEG color, ORM packing
Maximum compatibility glTF_Standard Strict glTF 2.0 spec
Maximum quality High Quality / Archival 16/32-bit, separate channels
Production pipeline Web_ORM Efficient, industry standard

By Texture Count

Texture Count Packing Strategy Maps
3 textures ORM packed BaseColor, Normal, ORM
4 textures glTF standard BaseColor, Normal, MetallicRoughness, Emissive
5+ textures Separate channels Color, Normal, Metallic, Roughness, AO

Best Practices

For Web Platforms

  1. Use ORM packing - 3 textures instead of 6
  2. JPEG for baseColor - 70-80% quality, 10× smaller
  3. PNG for data maps - Normal, ORM require lossless
  4. Start at 1024×1024 - Scale up only when needed
  5. Test file sizes - Aim for <5MB total per asset

For Game Engines

  1. Use engine-specific presets - Proper channel order/format
  2. Match color space - sRGB for color, linear for data
  3. Check normal format - DirectX vs. OpenGL (Y-flip)
  4. Consider UDIM - For large characters (multiple tiles)

For glTF/GLB

  1. Use "PBR Metallic Roughness" - Official standard
  2. OpenGL normal maps - Y+ (green up)
  3. Keep within spec - Avoid custom channels
  4. Compress with Draco - gltf-pipeline for final export

Troubleshooting

Textures look washed out:

  • BaseColor in wrong color space (should be sRGB)
  • Check engine texture settings

Metallic looks rough / rough looks metallic:

  • Channels swapped (check Green/Blue order)
  • Verify MetallicRoughness packing: G=Roughness, B=Metallic

Normal map inverted:

  • DirectX vs. OpenGL format
  • Flip green channel in export or engine

Seams at UV borders:

  • Use "paddingAlgorithm": "infinite" in export parameters
  • Increase dilation distance

File sizes too large:

  • Use JPEG for baseColor
  • Reduce resolution (sizeLog2)
  • Pack channels (ORM)
  • Compress with external tools (pngquant, tinypng)

Source: SKILL.md on GitHub

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    The skill provides tools and documentation for Adobe Substance 3D Painter workflows. It includes Python scripts for batch exporting and optimizing textures for web use, along with JSON templates for various engines. Analysis of the code and instructions found no security issues; the scripts perform standard file operations within the application environment, and all external references are to trusted documentation or services.

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Provenance

Signed by skilld at 1da73fe. This ties the file your Agent reads to that commit on GitHub. It does not review the instructions.

Last checked against GitHub 2 months ago.

Dormantupdated 11 months ago

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