Adobe releases Substance 3D Sampler 3.2
Adobe has released Substance 3D Sampler 3.2, the latest version of its material-authoring software, previously known as Substance Alchemist.
The update adds a new Physical Size system, intended for use in building digital material libraries, plus a new Cloth Weave generator, and the option to export custom metadata in Substance files.
New features for processing 3D scans of fabrics and creating digital cloth
Substance 3D Sampler 3.2 introduces several new features geared towards reproducing real-world fabrics: a focus for Adobe in recent years with the uptake of the Substance tools in the fashion and retail markets.
The most obvious is the new Cloth Weave generator, which can be used to mimic fabric weave structures.
However, the update also introduces a new Physical Size system, intended to make it easier to use Substance 3D Sampler to build up a library of digital materials from scanned 3D samples.
Users can add measurements manually, or have the software detect scale automatically from DPI data. Materials can then be displayed and edited at physical size in both the 2D and 3D view.
Physical Size information is also embedded in materials exported in .sbsar format.
The information is supported in garment design tool Clo – the sibling application of Marvelous Designer – with support due in the other Substance 3D apps and “other third-party [tools]”.
Support for more metadata in exported Substance materials
As well as Physical Size, the update extends the range of metadata that can be exported in .sbs and .sbsar files, including existing tags and description, category and author information; and custom metadata.
Asset thumbnails can also now be exported to .sbs and .sbsar files.
Other changes include a new Channel Switch filter and a number of smaller workflow improvements.
Pricing and availability
Substance 3D Sampler 3.2 runs on Windows 10, CentOS 7.0/Ubuntu 18.04+ Linux and macOS 10.14+.
New perpetual licences, available via Steam, cost $149.99.
The Windows and macOS editions are also available via Substance 3D Texturing subscriptions, for $19.99/month or $219.88/year; or Substance 3D Collection subscriptions, for $49.99/month or $549.88/year.
The Linux edition is also available via Creative Cloud for Teams, with subscriptions priced at $1,199.88/year.
Read an overview of the new features in Substance 3D Sampler 3.2 on Adobe’s blog
Read a full list of features in Substance 3D Sampler 3.2 in the online changelog