--- title: "Translucent Materials in Enscape: A Complete Guide" description: Discover how to create a translucent material in Enscape in this step-by-step tutorial. Video tutorial also included! image: https://blog.chaos.com/hubfs/2021/Blog/Final%20result%20translucent%20material%20lighting%20header%20copy%201.jpg --- [Chaos Logo](https://blog.chaos.com/) - Products - [Enscape](https://www.chaos.com/enscape) - [V-Ray](https://www.chaos.com/vray) - [Corona](https://www.chaos.com/corona) - [Veras](https://chaos.com/veras) - [Cloud](https://chaos.com/credits) - [V-Ray Blender](https://www.chaos.com/vray/blender) - [Arena](https://www.chaos.com/arena) - Industry solutions - [Education](https://www.chaos.com/education/educational-hub) - [Student](https://www.chaos.com/students) - [Educator](https://www.chaos.com/educators) - [Institutions](https://www.chaos.com/educational-institutions) - [Architectural design](https://www.chaos.com/architecture) - [Architectural visualization](https://www.chaos.com/architectural-visualization) - [Interior design](https://www.chaos.com/interior-design) - [Landscape rendering](https://www.chaos.com/landscape-architecture) - [Urban planning](https://www.chaos.com/urban-planning) - [Film and television VFX](https://www.chaos.com/film-vfx) - [Virtual production](https://www.chaos.com/virtual-production) - [Advertising](https://www.chaos.com/advertising) - [Automotive](https://www.chaos.com/automotive) - [Games](https://www.chaos.com/games) - [Product design](https://www.chaos.com/product-design) - [Software development](https://www.chaos.com/developers) - Learning & Community - [Learning](https://chaos.com/learning) - [Chaos Academy](https://academy.chaos.com/) - [Blog](https://blog.chaos.com/) - [CGconnect](https://chaos.com/cgconnect) - [Gallery](https://chaos.com/gallery) - [Forum](https://forums.chaos.com/) - Support - [Contact Support](https://chaos.com/contact-us) - [Help Center](https://support.chaos.com/hc/en-us) - [FAQ](https://support.chaos.com/hc/en-us/categories/360003671518-FAQ) - [Documentation](https://documentation.chaos.com/) - [Pricing](https://www.chaos.com/pricing) [Try](https://www.chaos.com/free-trial) [Buy](https://www.chaos.com/pricing) - Products - [Enscape](https://www.chaos.com/enscape) - [V-Ray](https://www.chaos.com/vray) - [Corona](https://www.chaos.com/corona) - [Veras](https://chaos.com/veras) - [Cloud](https://chaos.com/credits) - [V-Ray Blender](https://www.chaos.com/vray/blender) - [Arena](https://www.chaos.com/arena) - Industry solutions - [Education](https://www.chaos.com/education/educational-hub) - [Student](https://www.chaos.com/students) - [Educator](https://www.chaos.com/educators) - [Institutions](https://www.chaos.com/educational-institutions) - [Architectural design](https://www.chaos.com/architecture) - [Architectural visualization](https://www.chaos.com/architectural-visualization) - [Interior design](https://www.chaos.com/interior-design) - [Landscape rendering](https://www.chaos.com/landscape-architecture) - [Urban planning](https://www.chaos.com/urban-planning) - [Film and television VFX](https://www.chaos.com/film-vfx) - [Virtual production](https://www.chaos.com/virtual-production) - [Advertising](https://www.chaos.com/advertising) - [Automotive](https://www.chaos.com/automotive) - [Games](https://www.chaos.com/games) - [Product design](https://www.chaos.com/product-design) - [Software development](https://www.chaos.com/developers) - Learning & Community - [Learning](https://chaos.com/learning) - [Chaos Academy](https://academy.chaos.com/) - [Blog](https://blog.chaos.com/) - [CGconnect](https://chaos.com/cgconnect) - [Gallery](https://chaos.com/gallery) - [Forum](https://forums.chaos.com/) - Support - [Contact Support](https://chaos.com/contact-us) - [Help Center](https://support.chaos.com/hc/en-us) - [FAQ](https://support.chaos.com/hc/en-us/categories/360003671518-FAQ) - [Documentation](https://documentation.chaos.com/) - [Pricing](https://www.chaos.com/pricing) - English - [français](https://blog.chaos.com/fr/materiaux-translucides-enscape) [Try](https://www.chaos.com/free-trial) [Buy](https://www.chaos.com/pricing) [\< All Blog Posts](https://blog.chaos.com) Vlad Moldovan Last updated: August 28, 2025  •  2 min read # Creating Translucent Materials in Enscape This article shows you how to create realistic translucent materials in Enscape using a clear three-step process. It starts by showing you how to set up your model and materials—such as using a polycarbonate facade with foliage-type shaders, subtle coloring, and transparency maps. From there, it explains how lighting, both interior and exterior, can enhance the material’s appearance. The final step focuses on adding detailed lighting inside the geometry to amplify depth and realism. A video tutorial is also included, guiding you through each stage in action. ---   Architect and CGI artist Vlad Moldovan is back to provide more great tips to help you improve your [Enscape](https://www.chaos.com/enscape/) renders. This time, Vlad takes you through his process for creating a translucent polycarbonate [façade](https://blog.chaos.com/building-facade-rendering-tips?hsLang=en) (full video tutorial below). Be sure to also check out Vlad's previous post on creating [realistic lighting in SketchUp](https://blog.chaos.com/video-tutorial-how-to-create-realistic-lighting-in-sketchup-and-enscape?hsLang=en) for more rendering tips. Take it away, Vlad! ## Translucent materials in Enscape In this article, I want to break down the different levels of detail you can go into to get a great-looking translucent material. Let’s start with level 1. ### LEVEL 1: Preparing your model and material This is the first step that includes a realistic 3D model and the translucent material: In this case, I made 3 chambers for the polycarbonate sheet façade. The material settings in the following images explain the polycarbonate: 1. Set the type to FOLIAGE 2. Give it a bit of color (not completely white) 3. 15-20% roughness depending on your environment. 4. A white .jpg for transparency set to 45% brightness (you can play around with this value) ### LEVEL 2: The lighting aspect of the material To showcase a translucent material (frosted glass, plastic, wax, etc.) the lighting becomes very important because only with the right lighting can you perceive the material qualities. *No lighting vs interior and exterior lights* As you can see in the images above, the lighting has a great effect on the material. I used rectangle lights on the exterior and a lot of sphere lights in the interior. *Exterior lights (left), interior lights (right)* ### LEVEL 3: Detail lighting for that extra something This is the final level for this material. I wanted more detail in the translucency effect so I placed what I call detail lights inside the building. These detail lights are made out of multiple rectangle lights slightly moved and rotated so they create various overlapping shadows. *Detail lights* As you can see below, the detail lights make the structure come through the material more and the polycarbonate effect is more visible. *Basic lighting vs detail lighting* Take a look at how the rendered image changes throughout this process and the final results.  LEVEL 1: Model and Material: LEVEL 2: Exterior and Interior Lighting: LEVEL 3: Exterior, Interior, and Detail Lighting: ### The final result: ### Watch the full tutorial on creating a translucent material: Thank you Vlad for sharing your translucent material workflow tips with us! For more Enscape tutorials, visit Vlad's YouTube channel [Modulus render](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnBBl2sFKx7hJhnoFOVhscw). ### Ready to try Chaos products? Start your free trial today and explore all features. [Start Free Trial](https://www.chaos.com/free-trial) Share [mailto:?subject=Translucent%20Materials%20in%20Enscape:%20A%20Complete%20Guide&body=Translucent%20Materials%20in%20Enscape:%20A%20Complete%20Guide%20https://blog.chaos.com/translucent-materials-in-enscape](mailto:?subject=Translucent%20Materials%20in%20Enscape:%20A%20Complete%20Guide&body=Translucent%20Materials%20in%20Enscape:%20A%20Complete%20Guide%20https://blog.chaos.com/translucent-materials-in-enscape) [Enscape Tips](https://blog.chaos.com/tag/enscape-tips) [Materials](https://blog.chaos.com/tag/materials) [Lighting](https://blog.chaos.com/tag/lighting) [Real-Time Rendering](https://blog.chaos.com/tag/real-time-rendering) [Intermediate](https://blog.chaos.com/tag/intermediate) [Advanced](https://blog.chaos.com/tag/advanced) Vlad Moldovan Vlad is an architect, senior CGI artist, and founder of Modulus Render. [www.modulusrender.com](https://www.modulusrender.com/) ## Related Articles ### [September 28, 2026 What 3D Software Should Architecture Students Learn First? A Career-Honest Answer Ana Savova  •  11 min read Read more](https://blog.chaos.com/best-3d-software-architecture-students?hsLang=en) ### [September 23, 2026 Rendering, Visualization, and Illustration in Architecture: What Each Term Actually Means Teodora Mircheva  •  8 min read Read more](https://blog.chaos.com/rendering-vs-visualization-vs-illustration-architecture?hsLang=en) ### [September 7, 2026 Exterior Architectural Rendering: Lighting Setups That Make Buildings Read Correctly Andreea Lipan  •  16 min read Read more](https://blog.chaos.com/exterior-architectural-rendering-lighting-setups?hsLang=en) [Visit the blog for more articles](https://blog.chaos.com) ## Subscribe to Our Blog Get the best tips and articles delivered straight to your inbox! Subscribe to our newsletter. Learn all about the latest news, company updates and recommended content, cherry-picked for you. Chaos - [About us](https://www.chaos.com/about) - [Blog](https://blog.chaos.com) - [Press](https://www.chaos.com/press) - [Careers](https://www.chaos.com/careers) - [Events](https://www.chaos.com/events) - [Contact us](https://www.chaos.com/contact-us) Purchasing - [Buy online](https://www.chaos.com/pricing) - [Find a reseller](https://www.chaos.com/pricing/resellers) - [Upgrade options](https://www.chaos.com/upgrade) - [Manage your products](https://my.chaos.com/products) - [Download your software](https://download.chaos.com/) - [Refund policy](https://support.chaos.com/hc/en-us/articles/4402140621457-Do-you-offer-refunds-What-is-your-refund-policy) - [Help with purchasing](https://support.chaos.com/hc/en-us/sections/360005717237-Purchasing) - [Become a reseller](https://www.chaos.com/become-partner) Support - [Resources](https://academy.chaos.com/catalog) - [Get support](https://support.chaos.com/hc/en-us/categories/360003671518-FAQ) - [Service status](https://status.chaos.com/) - [Help docs](https://docs.chaos.com/) - [Forums](https://www.chaos.com/forums) Passion projects - [CGconnect](https://cgconnect.chaos.com/) - [CG Garage podcast](https://www.chaos.com/cg-garage) Technology - [Real-time rendering](https://www.chaos.com/real-time-rendering) - [3D rendering](https://www.chaos.com/3d-rendering-software) - [GPU rendering](https://www.chaos.com/vray-gpu) - [Fluid dynamics simulation](https://www.chaos.com/fluid-dynamics-software) - [Cloud rendering](https://www.chaos.com/cloud-rendering) - [Photorealistic rendering](https://www.chaos.com/photorealistic-rendering) - [Innovation Lab](https://www.chaos.com/innovation-lab) - [Virtual production](https://www.chaos.com/virtual-production) - [Responsible AI](https://www.chaos.com/responsible-ai) Follow us - - - - © 2026 Chaos Software EOOD. All Rights reserved. Chaos®, V-Ray® and Phoenix FD® are registered trademarks of Chaos Software EOOD in Bulgaria and/or other countries. - [Terms of use](https://www.chaos.com/terms) - [Privacy policy](https://www.chaos.com/privacy) - [Legal](https://www.chaos.com/legal) - [Sitemap](https://www.chaos.com/sitemap) - Cookie-Einstellungen - English - [Français](https://blog.chaos.com/fr/materiaux-translucides-enscape) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Vlad Moldovan", "url" : "https://blog.chaos.com/author/vlad-moldovan" }, "dateModified" : "2025-08-28T16:13:20.649Z", "datePublished" : "2021-11-19T15:50:22.000Z", "headline" : "Translucent Materials in Enscape: A Complete Guide", "image" : [ "https://blog.chaos.com/hubfs/2021/Blog/Final%20result%20translucent%20material%20lighting%20header%20copy%201.jpg" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://blog.chaos.com/translucent-materials-in-enscape", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://blog.chaos.com/hubfs/Chaos_Icon_Colour_RGB.png" }, "name" : "Chaos Software GmbH" } } ```