Global Bead Defaults

Global defaults are a convenience for the Bracelet Designer. They affect newly inserted library beads; they do not overwrite existing beads.

Open the defaults

1. Open Bracelet Designer and select the Bracelet tab in the right sidebar.
2. Expand Show Global Bead Defaults.
3. Choose a Material Category, Finish, and Size.
4. Add beads from the library. New beads inherit the selected starting values.

Available settings

Material Category

The current category choices are:

• Natural — maps new beads to a wood-style base material.
• Synthetic — maps to plastic.
• Metal — maps to metal.
• Glass — maps to glass.
• Precious — maps to stone.
• Organic — maps to pearl.

This category is a starting preset. After inserting a bead, use the per-bead Material selector for direct control over the rendered base material.

Finish

Choose Polished, Matte, Frosted, Faceted, Brushed, Hammered, or Glossy. The finish also sets sensible metalness and roughness values for the new bead; you can fine-tune both in the Bead tab.

Size

The size buttons set the initial size only. Per-bead size can be adjusted from 4–16 mm after insertion.

Defaults and overrides

Use global defaults when you are about to add a group of similar beads. Then select focal beads and change their individual properties. To return a bead’s spacing to the strand-wide value, choose Reset to Global in its spacing control.

Global defaults are editor state for the current working session. Saved designs retain the properties that were applied to their beads; changing a default later does not retroactively restyle a saved strand.

Useful combinations

Treat these as starting points, then use the selected bead’s color, finish, effect, and spacing controls to create contrast.

Related guides

• Properties and materials
• Bead Library Reference
• Material Effects
• Product Types and Layouts

Last reviewed: August 26, 2026.