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

🌟 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
• Product Types
• Properties Guide
• Performance Guide

Transform your beads! ✨💎🌟