What it does
Adobe Substance 3D Sampler creates digital materials from images and physical samples. It combines image-based capture with filters, material blending and tiling tools. It can also build environment lighting from 360-degree imagery and send assets to other Substance applications. Texturing and Collection subscriptions include Sampler, with a 30-day Substance trial.
Image to Material starts from one input image and offers two algorithms. AI Powered generates normal, height and roughness maps and removes lighting from the colour image. B2M uses procedural processing for channels including base colour, metallic and ambient occlusion; Adobe describes it as broader in input coverage but potentially less accurate.
The algorithm selector sits below the template name. High-resolution images take longer with AI Powered, so layer resolution can be reduced during work. The mobile Adobe Capture handoff has a separate Collection-subscription requirement; that note does not describe every desktop Image to Material workflow.
For delivery, choose File > Export as. Set the asset name and destination under General Settings, then choose SBSAR for a Substance-compatible application, SBS for Designer, or image files such as PNG, TIFF or EXR. Image presets control channel naming and packing, and individual channels can be included or excluded. Export resolution may be overridden, but recomputing at a different size can change the result. Physical size must be set during creation, not at export.
Sampler is included in Texturing and Collection subscriptions. An individual Collection subscription costs US$59.99 per month in the US offer. The Substance apps have a 30-day trial. Ordinary Creative Cloud app plans do not include the Substance subscription.
Strengths
- Image export presets prepare channel files for a chosen destination workflow.
- The export panel can send an asset directly to Designer, Painter or Stager.
Watch out for
- AI material processing takes longer with high-resolution inputs.
- Changing export resolution can alter the final material appearance.
Best for
- Artists digitising photographed surface materials
- Texture artists preparing channel maps for another 3D application
Sources
- Substance 3D Sampler | Features and US Collection Offer (Oct 28, 2026)
- Sampler | Image to Material (Oct 28, 2026)
- Sampler | Export (Oct 28, 2026)
- Sampler | Export Window (Oct 28, 2026)
- Substance 3D | Plan Inclusions and Trial (Oct 28, 2026)