---
title: Material Effects Guide
description: Complete guide to the 7 visual effects - Glow, Iridescent, Metallic Shimmer, Frosted, Holographic, Pearl Luster
---
# Material Effects Guide
BeadMod includes 7 stunning visual effects that bring your bead designs to life. Each effect uses Three.js material properties (not custom shaders) for optimal performance while creating beautiful results.
## ✨ Effects Overview
| Effect | Best For | Performance | Signature Look |
|--------|----------|-------------|----------------|
| Glow | Focal beads, night designs | Medium | Soft emissive light |
| Iridescent | Glass, soap bubbles | High | Rainbow shimmer |
| Metallic Shimmer | Metals, highlights | Medium | Reflective sparkle |
| Frosted Glass | Translucent designs | High | Matte transparency |
| Holographic | Modern, futuristic | High | Prismatic cyan shine |
| Pearl Luster | Natural elegance | Medium | Soft pearlescent |
| None | Standard beads | Low | No effect applied |
---
## 🌟 Glow Effect
**Description**: Adds soft emissive light that appears to come from within the bead, creating a luminous, glowing appearance.
### Visual Characteristics
- Emits light in the chosen color
- Intensity controls brightness
- Optional transparency for glass-like glow
- Works in any lighting environment
- Creates ambient illumination
### Technical Details
- **Property**: Emissive color + intensity
- **Optional**: Transparency enabled
- **Color**: Customizable (default: warm white)
- **Intensity Range**: 0-100% (maps to 0.0-2.0)
### Best Use Cases
- **Focal Beads**: Make center beads stand out
- **Night Designs**: Create evening jewelry look
- **Fantasy Themes**: Magical, enchanted designs
- **Energy Stones**: Simulate gemstone inner light
- **Accent Lighting**: Highlight specific beads
### Color Suggestions
- **Warm White** (#fff9e6): Soft, natural glow
- **Cool Blue** (#88ccff): Icy, ethereal
- **Purple** (#9966ff): Mystical, magical
- **Green** (#88ff88): Natural, healing stone
- **Orange** (#ffaa44): Warm, sunset glow
### Styling Tips
- **Intensity 30-50%**: Subtle glow for elegance
- **Intensity 70-100%**: Strong glow for impact
- **With Transparency**: Creates inner light effect
- **Multiple Glows**: Use sparingly (2-3 beads max)
### Performance Impact
- **Medium**: Slightly higher draw calls
- **Recommendation**: Limit to 3-5 glowing beads
- **Effect**: May reduce FPS on older devices
---
## 🌈 Iridescent Effect
**Description**: Creates a rainbow shimmer that changes with viewing angle, like soap bubbles or oil slicks.
### Visual Characteristics
- Purple/magenta base with rainbow shift
- Changes appearance as you rotate view
- High metalness creates reflective quality
- Subtle color shift effect
- Resembles natural opal or abalone
### Technical Details
- **Property**: Metalness 0.95 + roughness 0.1
- **Color**: Purple/magenta tint
- **Intensity**: Controls effect strength
- **Reflection**: Responds to environment
### Best Use Cases
- **Glass Beads**: Natural iridescent glass look
- **Modern Designs**: Contemporary aesthetic
- **Statement Pieces**: Eye-catching focal beads
- **Fantasy Jewelry**: Magical, otherworldly
- **Accent Beads**: Add visual interest
### Material Pairings
Works beautifully with:
- Clear/translucent base materials
- Dark backgrounds (contrast)
- Mixed with matte beads (variety)
- Pearl or glass materials
### Styling Tips
- **Full Intensity (100%)**: Maximum shimmer
- **60-80%**: Subtle iridescence
- **Pair with**: Matte or frosted beads for contrast
- **Lighting**: Rotate HDRI to see color shifts
- **Quantity**: 1-3 beads for focal points
### Performance Impact
- **High**: Metalness + reflections = more processing
- **Recommendation**: Limit to 1-2 iridescent beads
- **Effect**: Can impact FPS with many instances
---
## ✨ Metallic Shimmer
**Description**: Reflective sparkle with custom color emissive glow, perfect for metal beads and highlights.
### Visual Characteristics
- Metallic reflective surface
- Custom color emissive shine
- Responds to lighting and environment
- Subtle sparkle effect
- Professional metallic finish
### Technical Details
- **Property**: Metalness boost + custom emissive
- **Color**: Fully customizable
- **Intensity**: Controls shimmer strength
- **Reflection**: Environment-responsive
### Best Use Cases
- **Metal Beads**: Gold, silver, bronze
- **Spacer Beads**: Add sparkle between beads
- **Accents**: Highlight specific elements
- **Luxury Designs**: High-end jewelry look
- **Clasp Beads**: Functional beads with shine
### Color Suggestions
- **Gold** (#ffd700): Classic luxury
- **Silver** (#c0c0c0): Cool elegance
- **Rose Gold** (#e0a070): Modern romantic
- **Copper** (#b87333): Warm earthy
- **White Gold** (#f5f5dc): Subtle sophistication
### Styling Tips
- **Intensity 40-60%**: Realistic metal shine
- **Intensity 80-100%**: Bold, statement shimmer
- **Match Color**: To bead material color
- **Contrast**: Use with matte beads nearby
- **Spacing**: Place between larger beads
### Performance Impact
- **Medium**: Metalness calculation
- **Recommendation**: Use freely (5-10 beads okay)
- **Effect**: Minimal performance impact
---
## ❄️ Frosted Glass Effect
**Description**: Creates a translucent, frosted appearance like frosted glass or ice.
### Visual Characteristics
- Semi-transparent material
- High roughness (matte surface)
- White emissive glow
- Soft, diffused appearance
- Elegant translucency
### Technical Details
- **Property**: Transparency + roughness + white glow
- **Transparency**: 0.3 (70% visible)
- **Roughness**: 0.9 (very matte)
- **Glow**: Soft white emissive
### Best Use Cases
- **Glass Beads**: Frosted glass effect
- **Ice Themes**: Winter, frozen designs
- **Delicate Jewelry**: Soft, feminine designs
- **Translucent Effects**: See-through aesthetics
- **Modern Minimal**: Clean, sophisticated
### Material Pairings
Beautiful with:
- Light-colored beads (white, pale blue)
- Clear glass materials
- Mixed with solid opaque beads
- Pastel color palettes
### Styling Tips
- **Light Colors**: Works best with pale tones
- **Dark Backgrounds**: Enhance translucency
- **Spacing**: Place between solid beads
- **Lighting**: Bright HDRI shows effect best
- **Quantity**: Can use multiple (3-6 beads)
### Performance Impact
- **High**: Transparency requires extra rendering
- **Recommendation**: Moderate use (3-5 beads)
- **Effect**: May reduce FPS slightly
---
## 💎 Holographic Effect
**Description**: Prismatic shine with cyan/blue shimmer, creating a futuristic holographic look.
### Visual Characteristics
- Maximum metalness (chrome-like)
- Cyan/blue prismatic shine
- Strong environmental reflections
- Futuristic, high-tech appearance
- Rainbow-like highlights
### Technical Details
- **Property**: Metalness 1.0 + cyan emissive
- **Color**: Cyan (#00ffff)
- **Intensity**: Controls holographic strength
- **Reflection**: Maximum environment response
### Best Use Cases
- **Modern Designs**: Contemporary, futuristic
- **Statement Pieces**: Bold focal beads
- **Tech-Inspired**: Digital, holographic themes
- **Party Jewelry**: Flashy, attention-grabbing
- **Experimental**: Artistic, creative designs
### Styling Tips
- **Full Intensity**: Maximum holographic effect
- **Lower Intensity (40-60%)**: Subtle prismatic
- **Contrast**: Use with matte beads
- **Lighting**: Rotate environment to see shifts
- **Quantity**: 1-2 beads maximum (very bold)
### Performance Impact
- **High**: Maximum metalness + reflections
- **Recommendation**: Use sparingly (1-2 beads)
- **Effect**: Can impact performance
---
## 🦪 Pearl Luster Effect
**Description**: Soft pearlescent sheen, mimicking natural pearl surfaces.
### Visual Characteristics
- Subtle metalness
- Soft reflective quality
- Natural pearl appearance
- Elegant, classic look
- Gentle sheen
### Technical Details
- **Property**: Balanced metalness + roughness
- **Metalness**: 0.3-0.5
- **Roughness**: 0.3-0.5
- **Emissive**: Soft white/cream glow
### Best Use Cases
- **Pearl Beads**: Natural pearl effect
- **Elegant Designs**: Classic, timeless jewelry
- **Bridal Jewelry**: Wedding, formal occasions
- **Vintage Style**: Retro, classic aesthetics
- **Natural Materials**: Organic, earthy designs
### Color Suggestions
- **White Pearl**: Classic (#f5f5f0)
- **Cream Pearl**: Warm (#fff8e7)
- **Pink Pearl**: Romantic (#ffe0e8)
- **Black Pearl**: Dramatic (#222222)
- **Golden Pearl**: Luxury (#ffd89c)
### Styling Tips
- **Medium Intensity (50-70%)**: Natural look
- **Match Base Color**: To pearl color
- **Multiple Beads**: Can use many (5-10+)
- **Uniform vs. Accent**: Works either way
- **Lighting**: Soft lighting shows luster best
### Performance Impact
- **Medium**: Balanced properties
- **Recommendation**: Use freely (no limit)
- **Effect**: Minimal performance impact
---
## 🚫 None (No Effect)
**Description**: Standard bead with no special effects applied.
### When to Use
- **Performance**: When FPS is low
- **Contrast**: To make effect beads stand out
- **Realism**: For natural, unenhanced look
- **Bulk Beads**: Most beads in a design
- **Simple Designs**: Minimalist aesthetics
### Benefits
- **Best Performance**: No additional processing
- **Natural Look**: Pure material appearance
- **Versatile**: Works with any material
- **Base Standard**: Default for all beads
---
## 💾 Custom Presets System
Save your favorite effect configurations for easy reuse!
### Creating a Custom Preset
1. **Apply an Effect**: Select a bead and apply effect
2. **Adjust Settings**: Set intensity, choose custom color
3. **Open Effect Selector**: In Properties panel
4. **Click "Save Current"**: Button in Quick Presets section
5. **Name Your Preset**: Give it a descriptive name
6. **Save**: Preset stored in localStorage
### Using Custom Presets
1. **Select a Bead**: Choose bead to apply effect to
2. **Open Effect Selector**: In Properties panel
3. **Find Quick Presets**: Section at top
4. **Click Preset**: Instantly applies saved settings
### Managing Presets
- **Delete**: Click X button on preset card
- **Persistent**: Saved in browser localStorage
- **Per-Browser**: Available on the same browser/device
- **Unlimited**: Create as many as you want
### Preset Ideas
- **"Signature Glow"**: Your go-to glow color + intensity
- **"Rose Gold Shimmer"**: Metallic rose gold effect
- **"Ice Queen"**: Frosted with specific intensity
- **"Sunset Glow"**: Orange glow at perfect intensity
- **"Custom Iridescent"**: Iridescent with tweaked settings
---
## 🎨 Effect Combinations & Design Patterns
### Pattern: Focal Point Design
- **1-2 beads**: Strong effect (glow, holographic, iridescent)
- **Surrounding beads**: No effect or subtle pearl luster
- **Purpose**: Draw eye to center
### Pattern: Gradient Effect
- **Multiple beads**: Same effect type
- **Vary intensity**: 100% → 70% → 40% → 20%
- **Purpose**: Smooth transition
### Pattern: Alternating Accents
- **Every 3rd bead**: Metallic shimmer
- **Other beads**: No effect
- **Purpose**: Rhythmic sparkle
### Pattern: Elegant Uniform
- **All beads**: Same effect (pearl luster)
- **Same intensity**: Consistent look
- **Purpose**: Cohesive, elegant design
### Pattern: Statement + Support
- **Center bead**: Bold effect (holographic, iridescent)
- **Adjacent beads**: Complementary effect (glow, shimmer)
- **Edge beads**: No effect
- **Purpose**: Layered visual interest
---
## ⚡ Performance Considerations
### Effect Performance Rankings
**Low Impact** (Use freely):
- None
- Pearl Luster
- Metallic Shimmer
**Medium Impact** (Use moderately):
- Glow
- Glow with transparency
**High Impact** (Use sparingly):
- Iridescent
- Frosted Glass
- Holographic
### Optimization Tips
1. **Limit High-Impact Effects**: 1-3 beads maximum
2. **Use Performance Presets**: Switch to "High" or "Medium" quality
3. **Monitor FPS**: Watch performance stats in Properties
4. **Effect Warnings**: Check for performance impact notices
5. **Test on Target Device**: Mobile may need fewer effects
### When to Reduce Effects
Signs you need to optimize:
- **FPS Below 30**: Noticeable lag
- **Slow Rotation**: Canvas feels sluggish
- **Performance Warning**: Red indicator shown
- **Mobile Device**: Automatically be more conservative
---
## 💡 Creative Effect Ideas
### By Jewelry Type
**Bracelets**:
- Alternating glow on every 4th bead
- Single iridescent focal bead at top
- Uniform pearl luster for elegance
**Necklaces**:
- Gradient glow from center outward
- Central holographic pendant bead
- Mixed metallic shimmer accent beads
**Rings**:
- Single glow or iridescent on focal stone
- Pearl luster on surrounding beads
- Metallic shimmer on band beads
**Earrings**:
- Matching iridescent on both earrings
- Subtle glow for evening wear
- Frosted glass for delicate look
### By Theme
**Mystical/Fantasy**:
- Purple glow + iridescent combo
- Holographic accents
- Mixed supernatural effects
**Natural/Organic**:
- Pearl luster throughout
- Subtle glow in earth tones
- No effects for pure materials
**Modern/Futuristic**:
- Holographic focal beads
- Cyan metallic shimmer
- High-contrast effect combinations
**Elegant/Classic**:
- Uniform pearl luster
- Subtle metallic shimmer
- Soft white glow accents
---
## 🎓 Effect Mastery Tips
1. **Start Simple**: Use one effect type per design initially
2. **Learn Each Effect**: Spend time with each to understand it
3. **Save Presets**: Build your library of favorite settings
4. **Watch Performance**: Monitor FPS, adjust as needed
5. **Experiment**: Try unusual combinations
6. **Consider Context**: Think about where jewelry will be worn
7. **Use Contrast**: Mix effects with no-effect beads
8. **Lighting Matters**: Rotate HDRI to see effects fully
---
**Related Guides**:
- [Getting Started](/docs/getting-started)
- [Product Types](/docs/product-types)
- [Properties Guide](/docs/properties-guide)
- [Performance Guide](/docs/performance-guide)
---
*Transform your beads! ✨💎🌟*
