Substance Alchemist (v.2020 and newer)

Substance Alchemist is a powerful tool for creating 3D materials from images using AI-powered Image to Material features. These capabilities allow you to create highly detailed textures faster and more efficiently by leveraging GPU acceleration.

How to Enable AI-Powered Image to Material in Substance Alchemist

1. Launch Substance Alchemist
   Open the software from the default path:
   C:\Program Files\Allegorithmic\Substance Alchemist\Substance Alchemist.exe

2. Enable AI-Powered Image to Material

   

   • Drag any image file into the right panel of the UI to open the Image to Material window.

   • From the Image to Material dropdown, select AI Powered.

   • Confirm by clicking OK. This will apply the AI-powered image recognition to create high-quality materials.

Substance Alchemist uses CUDA-enabled NVIDIA GPUs by default for AI computations, allowing for faster image processing and material creation.

Top Tips to Speed Up Substance Alchemist

1. Run on NVIDIA RTX GPUs
   Substance Alchemist’s AI-powered Image to Material is optimized for NVIDIA RTX GPUs. These cards use Tensor Cores to accelerate AI calculations, significantly improving speed and efficiency during material creation.

2. Update GPU Drivers
   Keep your NVIDIA drivers up to date to ensure optimal performance with AI features. The latest Studio Drivers are designed to maximize compatibility and speed for creative software like Substance Alchemist.

3. Use High-Resolution Images
   To take full advantage of the AI-powered features, ensure you use high-resolution images. The AI algorithm in Alchemist is better able to identify textures and create detailed maps from larger, more detailed photos.

4. Store Files on an SSD
   Saving and accessing images or material libraries from an SSD ensures faster loading times and better responsiveness when working with large datasets.

Substance Alchemist System Requirements

Minimum Requirements:

• Operating System:

  • Windows: Windows 10 (64-bit) version 22H2 or later.

  • macOS: macOS 12 Monterey.

  • Linux: Enterprise ETLA RHEL 8.6 or later, or RHEL 9.2 or later; Steam Ubuntu 22.04.1 LTS.

• Processor: Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5.

• RAM: 16 GB.

• Graphics Card: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060, NVIDIA Quadro P2200, AMD Radeon RX 580, or AMD Radeon Pro 5300M.

• Storage: SSD with 30 GB of available space.

Recommended Specifications:

• Operating System:

  • Windows: Windows 11 (64-bit) version 21H2 or later.

  • macOS: macOS 13 Ventura.

  • Linux: Enterprise ETLA RHEL 8.6 or later, or RHEL 9.4 or later; Steam Ubuntu 22.04.1 LTS or later.

• Processor: Intel Core i7 or AMD Ryzen 7.

• RAM: 32 GB.

• Graphics Card: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080, NVIDIA Quadro RTX A4000, AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT, or AMD Radeon Pro W7700.

• Storage: SSD with 50 GB of available space.

Optimal Specifications:

• Operating System:

  • Windows: Windows 11 (64-bit) version 22H2 or later.

  • macOS: macOS 14 Sonoma.

  • Linux: Enterprise ETLA RHEL 8.6 or later, or RHEL 9.4 or later; Steam Ubuntu 22.04.1 LTS or later.

• Processor: Intel Core i9 or AMD Ryzen 9.

• RAM: 64 GB.

• Graphics Card: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090, NVIDIA Quadro RTX 5000 Ada Generation, AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX, or AMD Radeon Pro W7800.

• Storage: SSD with 70 GB of available space.

Meeting these specifications will help you get the most out of Substance 3D Sampler, ensuring efficient workflows and high-quality outputs. Keep in mind that more complex projects, especially those involving high-resolution textures or intricate materials, will benefit from higher-end hardware configurations.

Top Recommended GPUs for Substance Alchemist

1. NVIDIA RTX 3090
   The RTX 3090 offers exceptional AI performance, thanks to its 24GB VRAM and Tensor Cores, making it ideal for complex material creation and rendering workflows.

2. NVIDIA RTX 3080
   With a great balance between power and price, the RTX 3080 is highly effective for fast AI-based operations in Alchemist, providing superior GPU acceleration for both real-time feedback and final output.

3. NVIDIA RTX 4070 Ti
   For users looking for strong AI acceleration in a more budget-friendly option, the RTX 4070 Ti delivers impressive performance for AI-powered tasks like Image to Material and GPU-accelerated rendering.

By enabling GPU acceleration and following these tips, you can optimize Substance Alchemist’s performance, ensuring quicker material creation and efficient handling of complex textures for your 3D projects.

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