Ambient color is frequently used in 3D graphics to compensate for the fact that lighting in 3D environments only approximates real-world lighting. As a result, your materials frequently require additional parameters and adjustments to obtain the most realistic results when you render them.

The easiest way to define ambient color is to consider what color the object would be when there is absolutely no light shining upon it. In most cases, the ambient color is black, since you usually require light in order to see color. There are exceptions to this rule, particularly for surfaces that are self-illuminating such as a neon light or the light from a firefly’s torso.

DAZ Studio allows you to assign Ambient color in the Basic or Advanced sub-tab with black as the default ambient color. Take some time to experiment with how this setting affects your materials.

The following settings appear in the Basic sub-tab for the Shadow/Ambient channel.

• Shadow|Ambient: Click on the Color Selector to open a standard Color Picker and select any color to set as the ambient color, with one precaution: The brighter your ambient color, the more it will appear as though it is self-illuminating. While you can use colors other than black, your objects will appear more realistic if you don’t stray far from black when selecting your ambient color.
  
  

The Ambient channel controls the surface color in the absence of illumination. You have the following options when working with this channel.

• Ambient Color: Click on the Color Selector to open a standard Color Picker and select any color to set as the ambient color, using the same precautions mentioned for the Basic sub-tab above.
• Ambient Color Image Menu: To assign a texture map to the Ambient Color channel, click on the field to display a menu where you can select a texture from the list or browse for a new texture. If no texture is assigned, an arrow will be available to the right of the color selector. A menu prompts you to browse for a new image and displays images that are already present in your scene.
• Ambient Strength: This slider adjusts the strength of the ambient color in the material. 0% removes the ambient color entirely, making the object appear flat and lifeless. 100% applies the ambient color at its full value.
• Ambient Strength Image Menu: To assign a texture map to the Ambient Strength channel, click on the field to display a menu where you can select a texture from the list or browse for a new texture. If no texture is assigned, an arrow will be available to the right of the color selector. A menu prompts you to browse for a new image and displays images that are already present in your scene. Grayscale images are usually used for this purpose.