CompuServe Thread

The different shading modes really only have different specular properties. You can't do shadow or texture mapping w/ anything below Phong shading. From there, you must decide which mode gives you the desired output. (test renderings in the materials editor) The metal mode gives a metallic look to the object/scene, while the Phong mode does just about everything else Hope this helps… –John

Ed, You use both. If the object is metal use a metal shaded material. If the object is not metal then phong is more then likely the best choice. The metal shader has a completely different highlight curve. Check this out by creating a phong shaded material with shininess and shin strength set to about 50. Copy the material and change the shader to metal then compair the highlight curve. The metal shader can have flat or dipped curve top to produce a flatter less rounded highlight. The highlight curve was a huge improvement to creating materials with highlights.