Better Edge Masks in Blender - Procedural Texturing

Support this channel & everything I'm creating: / rileyb3d
How to create clean edge masks in Blender, using a procedural texturing approach. Learn how to use the bevel node, and dot product vector math node in Blender, for perfect edge masks.
Chapters:
0:00 Overview
0:44 Traditional edge map methods
1:48 The bevel node approach
2:31 The "Dot Product" node
3:36 Real-Time Setup
4:21 Conclusion
ABOUT ME
I've been using Blender for over half my life! That's since 2008. My first freelance work with the software was around that time as well. I did some animations for a waiting room in my local dental office. Since then, I've been hooked earning a living providing 3D services for businesses across the world. I've had the chance to do work for some big organizations like NASA and Microsoft. The real pride in my work though, has come from helping and being involved with small, independent productions. These indie productions and creators embody what it is to me, to be an artist.
Nowadays I spend my time making 3D models, textures, and training material to help get these solo creators and small teams off the ground and running. You can find everything I'm working on in one place, over on the site I built from scratch: www.rileyb3d.com
I'm very proud of it! I ought to be with how much time I've put into it. 😅 It's the catch all site to access everything I create. Supporting me there is as simple as contributing the cost of one coffee per month. Doing so gets you access to all training material I've ever created. For a slightly higher support tier, you get access to my ENTIRE model and texture library! Higher still, and you'll receive recognition in all of my video and site footer credits.
Some people ask why I don't have a Patreon. This site is all about creating custom and exclusive offerings for artists. Your monthly contribution is no joke. In fact, it's my complete livelihood at this point! I don't think it's responsible for me to give away a cut of your money to third party organizations like Patreon, so it stays with me, and goes directly towards producing more content and resources.

[@zillaquazar]

The music, the visuals, the style, it feels like I'm watching a history documentary getting to the climax of a great battle all while learning about blender. This is so well done thankyou. I have subscribed now

[@TTTristan1]

This is what I love about Blender video creators/the community at large. You feel like you're discovering a powerful treasure when you watch/hear about new techniques.

[@arifinaja963]

Agree

[@ArnaudMEURET]

The music is too loud.

[@matbrady123456]

@@valerys.219 I loved the music. It made it much more epic. Riley, ignore that person's comment.

[@ethancotton1549]

I was thinking the same thing lmao!

[@ThoughtsFew]

A heads up for anyone following along that still happens to be a beginner. He's rendering in cycles and is previewing his nodes with Ctrl,Shift,+ left click on the desired node with the node wrangler addon. Also, if your mesh has custom normals your results may vary.

[@dacastror]

thank you very much for your message, I'm new to blender and this helped me a lot, thanks again

[@ThoughtsFew]

@@dacastror happy to hear!

[@darkscorpion6534]

How do i get this to work with my added texture and blue colour?

[@Rocketcityninja]

@@darkscorpion6534 Add a mix shader plugging this into the Fac.

[@dalerogers3114]

many Thanks

[@DECODEDVFX]

I've been using basically the same method recently to make edge masks. Good video mate. Subscribed.

[@renderllama7036]

yo decoded!

[@capnanaya4642]

@@renderllama7036 hes not gonna reply to you

[@ckat609]

I love it when tutorials that actually explains things and teaches you instead of being just follow step by step videos. Awesome!

[@grabbitt]

That's very useful. thanks

[@kouyopoto]

Hey that's fun to see you here, I was thinking of your tutorial on crystals painting while looking at this video

[@cosmicoverlap]

Fancy seeing you here. I watch your videos all the time, except when I was watching this one....Ok I'll go back to watching yours. :))

[@thomasschreiber9884]

I think i dont speak only for my self when i say this: PLEASE, keep this quality, clearity, proffessionality in your future videos and you have a Subscriber forever!

[@nagysamuel2575]

I've integrated this method into literally all the projects I do with blender, can't thank you enough Riley.

[@pixelstresd2971]

Here on my PC, the material is black. What did I do wrong?

[@Igoreshkin]

@@pixelstresd2971 It's ONLY work in CYCLES

[@ArchbardWava]

Thank you, Riley! This may end up being the most important CG production of the year for me. Extremely useful, straight to the point and yields amazing results.

[@Frank_G_Finster]

I have seen lots of tutorials on this topic. This is the first one which really delivers nicely controllable results and is explained decently. Thank you very much!

[@alexvith]

I love it when someone manages to explain a concept in detail in just 5 minutes, plus all that's behind. Great video!

[@brentogara]

This was awesome! One of the cleanest, best Blender tutorials I've seen, and you've explained the usefulness of dot product without hurting my brain with math! :D

[@sim2g]

Absolute gem of a Blender tutorial with results you can use over and over again with your own projects. I'm your new follower! Big like.

[@victorpresle2695]

one of the cleanest easiest tutorial, not only is it incredibly useful and versatile it is also well made, well done

[@LonnonFoster]

I've been playing with a number of other people's techniques for edge masking in Blender, and some of them have the bevel and dot product combination in them, but hidden so deeply in a more complicated node group that it's difficult to figure out what's really happening. This tutorial is simplicity itself, and elegantly presented. Thank you for finally making me understand what's been in front of my eyes for a long time!

[@pixelstresd2971]

Here on my PC, the material is black. What did I do wrong?

[@RSpudieD]

That was great and to the point! What a well-done tutorial/ walkthrough! This method is pretty interesting and as you were explaining it, it all made sense, especially removing the two normal maps to get just the bevel information. That's a good trick! Good work!

[@Smooth_Shading]

Wow, man. Incredible production value on a tutorial. I really like your style and delivery. Thanks for making this and keep up the great work my friend!

[@jamesc5801]

Had this pinned on my list but finally got around to making my own node. Can't believe it took me this long! I'm using it atm for almost everything in my current sci-fi scene. So damn useful. perfect for worn painted metal. Works a treat, thanks mate 👍

[@RyanKingArt]

Wow this is amazing! 👍‍👍‍

[@kocking]

This went Insaneo Style. Much appreciated!!!! the knowledge, the cinematics, music and efficiently delivering gold in 5 minutes. Epic.

[@KayouaXiong]

I just spent hours searching and tried many different methods and none worked or didn't work the way I wanted it to. Your explanation was the best! I also wanted to thank you for explaining why this method was better, it makes a huge difference. :)

[@Sanry.]

thats only work in cycles render

[@estefannysaucedopena850]

It's so pleasing. The setuping and mastering softs amazing.

[@tvoneiro1]

the fact that you recreated the nodes visually in blender is soooooo meta!!

[@tiagopesce]

the nodes modeled in 3d was an awesome touch.. i just want to point i was NEEDING this exactly for ages, some low poly models never get good in regular AO and i gonna test this node-tree!

[@bivas108]

This tutorial was just on an another level. I have watched hours and hours worth of Blender tutorials in my life and the production quality of this video and the explanation given was stellar. WOW

[@pixelstresd2971]

Here on my PC, the material is black. What did I do wrong?

[@MaxSonicUA]

One of the most well done videos about blender that I ever seen. Bravo!

[@kirloi]

Did i just watch an hollywood budget quality movie about a freaking custom node?? This is amazing!

[@dvl973]

I never thought Jon Snow would be teaching me blender

[@z-beeblebrox]

Turns out he knows something after all

[@scpk2246]

whoah! you just answered what's inside my head

[@brunoghisi2]

know nothing

[@lavatr8322]

Lmfao!

[@SuperemeRed]

Damn, this is top tier. Short, on to the point, and well presented, going just enough into the details. Great job and keep it up!

[@Pipubbles]

Genuinely this was done so beautifully, I am surprised it doesn’t have a million views

[@rileynoname3529]

Wow. I am instantly in love with this! The presentation is so professional yet extremely accesible at the same time. You’ve definitely gained me as a permanent subscriber! :) good stuff!

[@blank_9565]

This is like one of the first procedural texturing tutorials on youtube that actually explains whats happening and helps with understanding this complicated area of blender. Also this is just amazing Ive always used pointiness for edge masks but this is a lot simpler and quicker! Huge thanks man

[@cosmicoverlap]

Most enthralling blender tutorial that I've viewed with copious delight. In all seriousness, thank you for making this video!!

[@goat13]

I love this unique style of yours, and the way you presented the whole video was marvelous to watch and educational too, learnt a lot! Earned a sub! Keep it up

[@guilhermerizzo1984]

THIS! This is simply THE BEST tutorial format I've ever see! Congrats!

[@harringtonday5319]

Absolute & brilliantly executed tutorial! - Love the style & format. Thank you.

[@rahuldasgupta1491]

This was brilliant. Your explanation on this has amazing clarity. Subscribed.Now to actually try it out.

[@LouSan]

Love the editing syle, a lot of effort was put into this so thank you!!! Keep it up!!

[@cineguz]

Absolutely amazing classic cinematic approach to learning Blender.

[@teflonishighlytoxic222]

brilliant solution, short sweet, logic explained clearly, and I love the the little modeled nodes you animated for the video, lol such a simple little thing to do, but it really gives a ton of production value to your video.

[@chargel1347]

I would rate this tutorial perfect, in every aspect of it you put the details to make this amazing content, thank you.

[@Ethan_Avila]

A appreciate the fact that you visually explained what we are doing in the process. I almost never leave a comment but this is worth it. Subscribed

[@t.hartig4570]

This is epic! I love how the tutorial is set up... No unnecessary bs around... Perfectly arranged with the goal described and always in focus. Detailed and not overloaded.... Und underlined with dramatic classical music...! Bam you made my day! Thx.

[@brendancrawford1017]

The most epic tutorial I've ever seen. Amazing visuals!

[@Ruan3D]

Love it! KZbin needs more quality tutorials like this one!! Well done and thank you!

[@stefanguiton]

Excellent video. The quality of the presentation and visuals are great

[@antoineissahaswany3866]

You teach everything in an easy way and explain all the details behind what you're doing and how things work! thank you so much, this was aamazing!

[@brianbuckmanart1770]

Amazing video that was super well explained and I'm really excited to try it out!

[@StevenPtasinski]

Well done! Knowing why and how to adjust is priceless.

[@AndrewPace77]

Wow, this is so needed. I'm going to use this constantly. Thank you for sharing!!

[@NanLola]

THANK YOU for explaining what's actually going on behind the clicks, finally a tutorial that teaches you the tool and not just how to get a super specific result

[@c.eliakusche1929]

That’s not only a very informative and useful tutorial, your design skills are also incredible, great work! I’ll sub IMMEDIATELY

[@Mocorn]

Oh man, you're going places! It's rare that I subscribe after one video but this one did the trick. Outstanding stuff!

[@mustofaaidid488]

Clever, well done edited video, brief simple and beautiful. I just found a new favourite Blender Channel.

[@Confuseddave]

I remember when the pointiness node was added, I was so excited for my procedural textures! Many struggles later, and I'm very glad to see a less finnicky method. :)

[@MrDj200]

Simply Superb! Good explanation of nodes AND includes visualization, thank you

[@joelsanjay922]

This is beautiful, the style and the tutorial. Thanks

[@jankschmid]

Damn, the quality is out of this world. Keep going!!

[@stevenlitvintchouk3131]

Excellent technique, and very well explained. The first use I've seen for the dot product operation.

[@jorgebernier5d]

Beautiful tutorial. Thank you so much. and I love the fact that you don't need to have a high poly model for it to work.

[@KaizenTutorials]

This is a very well done, clear and concise tutorial. Thanks!

[@_ImNoah_]

thanks for the tutorial that's exactly what i needed. I was never so happy about a new opportunity. Keep it up 👍👍👍👍

[@onexqw12]

Thankyou, I cant explain how helpful this is.... as you mention the other methods just don't quite cut it, this is just what I've needed

[@dimitrilalushi4693]

Thanks for those tutorials. It is evident that they are products of dedication. Every aspect of them is very well put: The examples, the clarity in narration , the background music etc, all are very nice. Now, as to the topic of the video: It is ok with the edge detection but the rarely mentioned need, in videos related to this topic, is that of finding a node arrangement which can differentiate between the indented and outdented edges (so that someone can put 'dirt' and 'decay' in the proper areas of a model). If you have any solution-answer to this need keep in mind, please, to make a tutorial about it.

[@RetroPlus]

I LOVE the presentation of these tutorials

[@TheDanielConsole]

very high quality video and explanation, thanks for posting! This will save me some trips to substance for sure

[@jaredcrown5812]

Absolutely loved it. Subscribed!!

[@nanchark-repositorio]

Awesome and outstanding literally saw a pointness tutorial, and then an AO one, this is a life saver

[@tobiashagstrom4168]

This treats convex and concave geometry the same though, which is not at all what you want for almost anything type of object I can think of. For example, metal would be most oxidized or dirty in concave areas where dirt and moisture can accumulate slightly easier, forming rust, and prevents it all from from being rubbed off by natural wear. A convex area is more likely to have contact with other objects or receiver concentrated wear, which might make it cleaner and shinier, or might ruin the finish and give it a worn-in roughness, depending on its properties and what it's subjected to. The only context in which a convex area would accumulate more rust or dirt more than a flatter area is if the convex areas are already worn down a bit, perhaps having some rust-resistant finish destroyed or worn to a rougher surface where rust penetrates better or dirt sticks easier, but that's only if it's first worn in, and then left in a state were it doesn't receiver further wear that would clean it, allowing rust or dust to settle on the worn surfaces. So perhaps for abandoned metal objects this could make some sense, but nothing outside of that, I don't think.

[@sibience]

In theory you could try one of two things to fix this. You could just bake this down as a texture and then paint out the edges you don't want, do the opposite for convex and concave edges so you end up with two masks. Or another method that doesn't give you quite as much control would be to use the AO node with an invert node to subtract the parts you don't need.

[@henkkok9437]

subbed, wonderful in-depth use of geo nodes and great organised thinking and presentation, thank you!

[@Jaboli86]

Love it man. Good job!

[@liangyijin4718]

Wow. The best edge mask tutorial ever. Liked and subscribed. Amazing content!!!!

[@kaloyanboychev]

great work on this video really nicely edited and the info is awesome too!

[@binoypilakkat7830]

Very nice presentation. Appreciate the effort put in.

[@oskars_l]

GREATLY APPRECIATED!!! So far the best! 😁

[@arusblog7356]

Your videos are so underrated! This is the best tutorial video, I've ever seen!)))

[@RostyslavTkachenko]

Wow! You are cool and with style! Thanks for your work!!!

[@CaseyFaris]

What N INSANELY well done video. Great work.

[@mattwilsoncp1]

Awesome format, and easy to follow! Thanks!

[@RexD-N]

Love that one, Great job !

[@jimimac168]

Great video, loved your style, you made it super easy for me to understand what your doing with clear visuals. Amazing work. Subcribed and looking forward to learning some more from you

[@tiagoloureiro3302]

Many thanks for the tut, Contrary to many tutorials you actually explain the nodes & their function 💪🏽

[@ivanwickum6141]

thank you so much! ive been looking for a tutorial this good for a long time.

[@gengisbohx_]

Splendid!

[@matthieunoel5957]

I LOVE YOU ! I mean ... this is what I've been looking for a really long time now ! Thank you mate !

[@bruce4551]

Feels like i'm a quantum physics student now

[@MrBlendercross]

Presentation is unique - excellent job!

[@oakov_workshop]

Amazing feed, good sound, great video edit, subscribed.

[@SirLithen]

The production value alone earned my sub!

[@mrdvus12]

Love how you animated the tutorial in blender too, its a great reminder of how blender can be used

[@rileyb3d]

Exactly! This just happens to be a blender tutorial with blender animation. Think about the limitless amounts of topics and ideas you can help visualize with animation!

[@pixelstresd2971]

Here on my PC, the material is black. What did I do wrong?

[@KUBE.archvis]

This is absolutely amazing!!! Thanks for sharing!!

[@brodad9364]

This video is great at explaining every step and what each thing does.

[@Big_Llama]

This is INCREDIBLY well done, thank you!

[@3dModels4Sale]

Valuable information and great editing. Thank you. Subscribed

[@scarit.]

now this is what i call a quality content. i'm lucky enough to find you my g ❤

[@XYZ-qh7rx]

Considered and done. Subscribed wtith joy. Man, amazing content. Thank you.

[@postmodernerkindergartner960]

This is so great, thanks!

[@hashimseyyid951]

i dont think anyone can dislike this video. everything on point

[@nmcrobie]

Excellent tutorial, so useful - thanks

[@RowDogSA]

Explained so well. Thank you!

[@Stephen_Newport]

Very helpful, thank you!