Ambient occlusion (texture)

Ambient Occlusion is an effect that simulates soft shadows and shading by calculating how geometry blocks ambient light, adding depth and realism to 3D models.

An Ambient Occlusion (AO) texture is pre-rendered and stored as an image, enhancing realism without negatively impacting performance during real-time rendering. This texture can be generated directly within Vectary Studio or imported from external software

The AO texture generation does not depend on scene lighting conditions. It captures geometry-based shading purely from the distances and angles between surfaces. Therefore, AO textures remain consistent and effective regardless of lighting changes within the scene.

Recommended uses:

• Static scenes

• High-detail objects requiring realistic shading

• Scenes aiming for optimized rendering performance

Tutorials

Learn more about this feature: Retain AO