• Pricing
    Pricing

Fast, custom materials: using the AI Material Generator

Guides

How to turn a reference image into a PBR material with Lumion Cloud

Mar 26, 2026

See the AI Material Generator in action

Watch how a real-world reference becomes a seamless, usable PBR material in Lumion Cloud. Try it for yourself and turn any inspiration into material maps you can apply to your projects in Lumion Pro, or any other 3D workflow.

Try it yourself
Try it yourself

5 easy steps to generating custom PBR materials

Follow this quick guide to go from reference image to PBR maps you can bring straight into Lumion Pro.

Step 1

Upload

Start with any image. See a texture you like out in the real world? Snap a photo with your phone and upload into Lumion Cloud. Be sure to capture the surface straight-on.

When you’re in the Lumion Cloud dashboard, look to the menu on the left and select AI Material Generator. Then, click on Browse local files to upload your image or simply drag and drop it in place.

Step 2

Refine

Use precision cropping tools to focus on the exact surface you want to capture.

Select a material type, to give the AI a strong starting point. You’ll find a selection of common material types to choose from, including Bricks, Concrete, Fabric, Wood, and Stone. Or just select Other if you want to explore something different.

Step 3

Generate

Click Generate to turn your reference into a seamless, tileable texture. Compare the 2D maps and 3D preview side by side in split view.

Then click Generate All to create Normal, Height, Roughness, and Metalness maps alongside the initial Albedo result. Fine-tune each map, then use the right-hand panel to zoom in, switch preview meshes, and test the material under different lighting conditions.

Step 4

Save and download PBR maps

Once your material looks right, click Save to keep it, then choose Download generated maps to export the PBR maps and bring them into Lumion Pro.

Generated materials are automatically saved in My Creations. Here, you can rename your materials or duplicate them if you want to create different variations.

Step 5

Import and apply your material in Pro

Once downloaded, your maps are ready to import into Lumion Pro, where you can adjust, combine, and apply them in your scene.

Built from references that matter to your project, these custom materials make it easier to match real-world context, respond to client input, and keep your workflow moving.

Generate your own material today

The AI PBR Material Generator makes it easy to turn project references into custom materials you can bring straight into Lumion Pro. Whether you’re matching real-world context, responding to client input, or exploring new ideas, it’s a faster way to create materials that fit the work.

And it’s just one part of Lumion Cloud. Included free with every Lumion plan, Lumion Cloud brings together visual collaboration tools, native uploads from Lumion Pro and View, powerful AI image upscaling, and free content packs—all in one place.

Start for free
Start for free

Discover more

Jan 19, 2026 | Guides

Render sharper, faster: using the AI upscaler in Lumion Cloud

Nov 20, 2025

Bring your animations into the conversation

Nov 20, 2025 | Guides

How to collaborate on videos & panoramas in Lumion Cloud

An extension of your imagination

With Lumion, you’re in control of your ideas. Create stunning visualizations of every angle of your design — at any point in your creative process.

See plans
See plans
Try Pro for free
Try Pro for free
  • Plans and pricing
  • Lumion Pro
  • Axogram
  • Lumion Cloud
  • AI tools
  • System requirements
  • Upgrade
  • Find reseller
  • Free Lumion Pro trial
  • Roadmap

Lumion for

  • Building architecture
  • Landscape architecture
  • Interior design
  • Urban planning
  • 3D rendering
  • Education

Compatible with

  • Trimble SketchUp
  • Autodesk Revit
  • Graphisoft Archicad
  • Rhinoceros
  • Autodesk Autocad
  • Autodesk FormIt Pro
  • Nemetschek Allplan
  • Nemetschek Vectorworks
  • BricsCAD
  • 3D Studio Max
  • Made with Lumion
  • Tips and guides
  • Support and learning
  • Downloads
  • Lumion community
  • Our story
  • We're hiring!
  • Contact us

Join our newsletter

Terms & conditions
Terms & conditions
EULA
EULA
Privacy statement
Privacy statement
Disclaimer
Disclaimer
Icons by Font Awesome
Icons by Font Awesome

© 2026 Lumion

  • Pricing
    Pricing