Description: Substance is a material creation tool that allows for the creation of complex textures. In the field of design and graphics production, ‘substance’ refers to a set of technologies that facilitate the generation of high-quality materials and textures through procedural algorithms. These textures are not only visually appealing but also highly customizable, allowing designers to adjust properties such as color, roughness, and reflectivity in real-time. The ability to create dynamic and adaptive materials has revolutionized the way virtual environments are developed, especially in the video game and animation industries. Furthermore, the integration of these tools into graphics engines allows for significant performance optimization, as materials can be generated and adjusted without the need to store large amounts of texture data. In summary, ‘substance’ has become an essential component for creators looking to innovate in the visual representation of their projects, offering a balance between quality and efficiency in the design process.
History: The ‘Substance’ technology was developed by the company Allegorithmic, founded in 2003. In 2005, they released the first product in the series, known as Substance Designer, which allowed artists to create procedural textures more efficiently. Over the years, the tool evolved and was integrated into various game engines, such as Unreal Engine and Unity, expanding its use in the video game industry. In 2019, Allegorithmic was acquired by Adobe, leading to greater dissemination and development of the technology in the field of graphic design and digital content creation.
Uses: Substance is primarily used in the creation of textures and materials for video games, films, and architectural visualization. It allows designers to generate complex materials that can be adjusted in real-time, facilitating the creation of more realistic and detailed environments. Additionally, it is used in various industries, including fashion and product design, to accurately simulate fabrics and finishes.
Examples: An example of the use of ‘Substance’ is in the development of the video game ‘The Last of Us Part II’, where materials created with Substance Designer were used to achieve a high level of realism in the environments. Another case is the movie ‘Avatar’, where textures generated by this technology were applied to effectively create the alien landscapes.
