DocumentationSubstance 3DSubstance 3D Painter

World Space Normals

Last update: August 11, 2026

In: mask, generator, grayscale, blend
Description
The World Space Normal generator uses the baked world-space normal map to color your model or apply effects based on the direction each surface is facing in 3D space. For example, from top to bottom.

The World Space Normals generator outputs a monochrome (black-and-white) texture. As a result, it’s useful for generating masks to apply various effects like dirt, dust, snow, or rust based on face directions.

Baked position and world space normal maps are required as image inputs. Learn more about baking here.

Inputs

Input name
Description
Texture Color
Use a custom texture or an anchor point.
World Space Normals Color
Use the baked World Space Normals map.
Position Gradient Color
Use the baked Position map.

Parameters

Parameter name
Description
Global Invert
Invert the final result after all effects are combined.
Global Blur
Soften the final mask uniformly after all effects are combined.
Global Balance
Shift the balance of the final mask after all effects are combined between black or white, like a brightness adjustment.
Global Contrast
Adjust the contrast of the final mask after all effects are combined.
Use Texture
Toggle usage of a custom texture map on or off.

World Space Normal

Parameter name
Description
Invert
Invert just the world space normals.
Blur
Smooth the world space normals only.
Balance
Adjust the balance of the world space normals only, shifting the midpoint toward black or white like a brightness control.
Contrast
Adjust the contrast/falloff of world-space normals only.
Brightness
Adjust the luminosity of just the world space normals.
Right to Left
Adjust how the effect is applied from left to right across the Mesh.
Top To Bottom
Adjust how the effect is applied from top to bottom across the Mesh.
Front to Back
Adjust how the effect is applied from front to back across the Mesh.

World Space Normal/Right to Left

Parameter name
Description
Invert
Invert the Right to Left gradient direction.
Blending Mode
Select which blending mode to use for the current layer.

World Space Normal/Top To Bottom

Parameter name
Description
Invert
Invert the Top to Bottom gradient direction.
Blending Mode
Select which blending mode to use for the current layer.

World Space Normal/Front to Back

Parameter name
Description
Invert
Invert the Front to Back gradient direction.
Blending Mode
Select which blending mode to use for the current layer.

Texture

Parameter name
Description
Texture Opacity
Adjust the visibility of the custom texture.
Invert
Invert the custom texture only.
Grayscale Conversion
Set the method used to convert from full color into grayscale. The Grayscale Conversion generator has more information about how each method works.
Blending Mode
Adjust the blending operation to be used. See the dedicated page about blending modes.
Scale
Adjust the size of the custom texture.
Contrast
Adjust the contrast/falloff of the custom texture.
Brightness
Adjust the luminosity of the custom texture.
Triplanar

When Triplanar is enabled, the texture is projected from three directions (X, Y, Z axes) instead of relying only on UVs.

  • Without triplanar, the texture follows the UV layout.
  • With triplanar, the texture is projected from multiple angles and blended.
Triplanar Contrast
Adjust how smoothly a texture blends when it is projected using triplanar mapping. This adjusts the softness of the blending between the projections from each direction.
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