Grunge Map
Dirt and scratch pattern used as a mask
Also known as: Grunge texture · Dirt mask · Scratch map · Stains map
Definition
A grunge map is a grayscale texture of dirt, scratches, stains or blotches, used as a mask or modulation layer to break up uniform surfaces. Plugged into a mask in Substance Painter or Designer, it decides where wear, dust or color variation shows, and different grunge maps give different looks. Substance Painter includes a library of them, and you can also author your own.
In production
Use grunge to vary roughness and color by small amounts across a surface rather than to paint obvious dirt. Combine two grunge maps at different scales for natural variation, and feed them into generator or smart mask inputs to shape the wear. Avoid using the same grunge at the same scale and position everywhere, because a repeated pattern is a giveaway that the texture is procedural.
