Show Materials in Viewport As

Show Materials in Viewport As

Views menu - Show Materials in Viewport As - Standard Display / Standard Display with Maps / Hardware Display / Hardware Display with Maps
Compact Material Editor - Material menu - Show Materials in Viewport As -Standard Display / Standard Display with Maps / Hardware Display / Hardware Display with Maps
Slate Material Editor toolbar - Show Map in Viewport flyout

These commands turn on and off display of all maps in the viewports, using software or hardware rendering. Software rendering applies to all maps and materials, but tends to be less accurate. Hardware rendering is highly accurate, showing highlights very close to the way they render, but applies primarily to the Arch & Design material, although it also supports the Standard material.

NoteHardware viewport rendering is not available on computers with older graphics systems. Also, hardware viewport rendering is supported only by the Direct3D display driver.

NoteThese commands do not apply to XRef materials, including materials from XRef objects and XRef scenes.

Interface

Standard Display

Uses the legacy software shader, which works on a per-face basis, and turns off viewport display of all maps at the material level. This applies only to materials used in the scene.

Standard Display with Maps

Uses the legacy software shader, which works on a per-face basis, and turns on viewport display of all maps.

Hardware Display

Uses the hardware viewport shader, which works on a per-pixel basis, and turns off viewport display of all maps at the material level.
The hardware shader applies only to the Standard and Arch & Design materials; when it’s active, 3ds Max still uses the software shader to display all other materials.

Hardware Display with Maps

Uses the hardware viewport shader, which works on a per-pixel basis, and turns on viewport display of all maps at the material level.
This switch applies only to the Standard and Arch & Design materials; when it’s active, 3ds Max still uses the software shader to display all other materials. Also, it doesn’t affect viewport display of maps for materials other than those two.