Creating realistic material renderings

For convincing material visualization, clarity and specificity are essential.

The AI in Vizcom responds not just to what the material is, but how it behaves visually and physically in space. Effective prompting requires you to think like both a designer and a visual effects artist, describing not just what something is, but how it should look, feel, and respond to light. The more you can define the sensory and optical characteristics of a material, the better Vizcom can translate your vision into a rendered image.

Be specific about the finish

Rather than using general terms like ceramic or metal, include descriptive modifiers that convey how the surface should appear. For example, saying glossy white ceramic helps the AI understand that the surface should reflect light sharply, have a clean and smooth appearance, and evoke a polished, refined quality. Compare that to a generic ceramic, which leaves the finish ambiguous and may result in unpredictable rendering outcomes. Terms like matte, satin, brushed, polished, and rough add important nuance.

Consider material combinations

Many designs feature more than one material, and how those materials interact can communicate hierarchy, functionality, and craftsmanship. For instance, leather upholstery with contrast stitching on a brushed aluminum frame tells a much richer story than simply leather chair. It suggests texture, assembly, and intention, signals that AI tools like Vizcom can use to create more realistic and stylized results. When combining materials, think about tactile contrast and design logic: what touches the user, what supports structure, and what contributes to visual identity.

Include surface treatments

Surface treatments affect both the look and the implied function of a material. Prompting with wood with visible grain pattern or neon textured matte plastic gives the AI cues about how light should interact with the surface, where highlights should break, and how tactile or manufactured the object should appear. Surface treatments like perforated, embossed, knurled, or distressed provide character and visual rhythm, and they often signal a particular style or time period. These small additions in a prompt can shift a design from generic to distinct.

Address light interaction

How a material reflects or absorbs light is one of the most important aspects of convincing visualization. Phrases like highly reflective, diffuse reflection, or translucent with light scattering help define how the AI should simulate illumination, gloss, and depth. For example, a translucent polycarbonate shell with soft pink internal glow not only describes a material but also evokes a mood and function. Specifying how the material should behave under lighting helps avoid flat or unrealistic surfaces and ensures the output supports your design narrative.

In practice

When crafting prompts, consider these four aspects—finish, combination, surface, and light—as layers of detail that build visual credibility. The more you can communicate material intent clearly and efficiently, the more control you will have over Vizcom’s output. Good material prompting is not about overwhelming the system with adjectives but about choosing the right terms to guide the rendering process with purpose and precision.