PBR Materials in Real-Time Rendering

Exploring Physically Based Rendering for Game-Ready 3D Assets

What is PBR?

Physically Based Rendering (PBR) is a rendering technique that aims to simulate light behavior in a realistic way. Unlike traditional rendering methods, PBR uses real-world physics principles to determine how light interacts with surfaces.

PBR materials are essential for creating believable 3D environments in modern games and real-time applications. They provide consistent lighting results across different lighting conditions, making assets look realistic whether they're in bright sunlight or dim indoor lighting.

Side-by-side comparison showing traditional rendering vs PBR rendering of the same 3D object
Traditional rendering vs PBR - notice the realistic light interaction in PBR

Key PBR Components

Base Color

The base color or diffuse map that defines the surface color without lighting information.

Metallic

Determines whether a surface behaves like a metal or non-metal (dielectric).

Roughness

Controls how rough or smooth a surface appears, affecting reflection sharpness.

Normal Map

Adds surface detail and depth without increasing geometry complexity.

Why Use PBR in Game Development?