Metallic Map Generator
Build a metalness mask from an image, then correct the threshold and material classification before export.
Upload and preview without signing in. Sign in to download 256px and 512px PNGs. Mapper+ unlocks 1K, 2K, original-resolution export, and all six non-albedo PBR maps in one workspace.
Source image or mask to Metallic map preview
Upload and preview a metallic or metalness map without signing in, classify metal and dielectric pixels, then sign in to export a 256px or 512px PNG.
Privacy: image decoding, pixel processing, preview, and PNG download run locally in the browser.
What should a metallic map contain?
A metallic map stores material class as linear grayscale data. Bare conductive metal is normally near white, while wood, stone, plastic, intact paint, and visible oxide are normally near black. The PLAYTEX AI Metallic Map Generator can estimate metalness from image values or apply a strict threshold, but brightness alone cannot prove that a surface is metal.
- Bare metal
- Near white / 1.0
- Dielectric
- Near black / 0.0
- Free export
- 256px and 512px PNG
- ORM placement
- Blue channel
How to use the Metallic Map Generator
Name the visible materials
Identify bare metal, paint, oxide, dirt, wood, stone, or plastic before relying on pixel brightness.
Choose estimation or threshold
Use Smart for a starting estimate or Manual for a strict black-and-white mask driven by the selected source channel.
Tighten the mask
Adjust threshold, contrast, and clamps. Keep intact paint and oxide dielectric; reveal metal only where the conductive surface is visible.
Export as linear data
Download the selected PNG size and bind it as a metalness input or pack it into ORM blue.
How common surface regions map to metalness
Classify the visible top layer. A hidden metal substrate does not make an intact coating metallic.
| Surface region | Metalness value | Watch for |
|---|---|---|
| Bare steel, copper, aluminum | White or near-white | Base color carries the metal reflectance color. |
| Intact paint over metal | Black | Expose metal only at real chips or worn edges. |
| Rust and oxide | Usually black | Blend carefully at partial wear boundaries. |
| Wood, stone, plastic | Black | Brightness does not make a dielectric metallic. |
Metallic Map Generator FAQ
Should a metallic map be black and white?
Most pure material regions are close to black or white. Gray can represent blended coverage or transition pixels, but broad gray guesses often produce implausible shading.
Is painted metal still metallic?
The intact paint surface is normally dielectric. Use white metalness only where bare conductive material is exposed.
Is rust metallic?
Visible rust and oxide are generally treated as dielectric even though the material underneath is metal.
Where does metallic go in an ORM texture?
The common ORM order stores ambient occlusion in red, roughness in green, and metallic in blue.
Is the Metallic Map Generator free?
Yes. As of August 26, 2026, the Metallic Map Generator is free after sign-in. Free accounts can process images in the browser and export 256px or 512px PNG files.
Which Metallic Map Generator export sizes require Mapper?
Exports above 512px require Mapper or a higher plan. Mapper+ unlocks 1K, 2K, and original-resolution export in the standalone tool, plus the full PBR Map Generator for creating normal, height, roughness, metallic, ambient occlusion, and emission maps together.