Layered

This page provides information about the Layered texture in V-Ray for Blender.

Last updated 15 April 2026

This page provides information about the Layered texture in V-Ray for Blender.

Overview

The V-Ray Layered texture lets you stack multiple textures on top of each other to mix their output. The result of each layer depends on the blending mode with the next layer in the stack. You can also use a mask to control which parts of each texture are visible in the final render.

Keep in mind that the “upper” layers have higher numbers, so Layer 1 is the bottom layer.

UI Path: ||V-Ray Node Editor|| > Shader > Add > Textures > V-Ray Layererd

Node Input Sockets

Texture 1,2,3... – This slot allows you to select a solid color or connect a color node for the corresponding layer.

Mask 1,2,3... – This slot allows you to select a solid color or use a color node to mask out the corresponding layer.

VBLD_7.3CE_WorldNodes_LayeredTex_LayersButton.jpg

VBLD_7.3CE_WorldNodes_EffectsContainer_Remove.jpg

To add or remove layers, use the and buttons or the + and - buttons, respectively.

VBLD_7.3CE_WorldNodes_LayeredTex_Inputs.jpg

Properties

Invert Color – When enabled, inverts the final derived color.

Invert Alpha – When enabled, inverts the alpha value of the final derived image, if Invert Color is enabled.

Allow Negative Colors – When enabled, V-Ray renders any negative or inverted colors that might be derived from the blending between layers.

Layers

+ Layers – This button adds layers to the stack. Each new layer is stacked on top of the layers before it. You can remove layers from the - button.

Blend Mode – Specifies how the layer blends with the result from all layers below it. The number field specifies the opacity of the current layer, giving you extra editing possibilities.

Blend Mode	Description

Blend Mode	Description
Normal	Displays the current layer (FG) on top of all layers (BG) without blending. This is the default.
Average	The average of the current layer (FG) and the result from the layers below it (BG).
Add	Adds the FG to the BG.
Subtract	Subtracts the FG from the BG.
Darken	Compares the FG to the BG and takes the darker pixel values of the two.
Multiply	Multiplies the FG by the BG.
Color burn	The color of the FG is applied to darker pixels in the BG.
Linear burn	Same as Color Burn but with less contrast.
Lighten	Compares the FG to the BG and takes the lighter of the two.
Screen	Makes both light and dark areas lighter.
Color Dodge	The color of the FG is applied to lighter pixels in the BG.
Linear Dodge	Same as Color Dodge but with less contrast.
Spotlight	Same as Multiply, but with twice the brightness.
Spotlight blend	Same as Spotlight, but additionally brightens the BG.
Overlay	Darker pixels become darker where the BG is dark and brighter pixels become brighter where the BG is bright.
Soft Light	Darker pixels become darker where the FG is dark and brighter pixels become brighter where the FG is bright.
Hard Light	Spotlight is applied to pixels where the FG is dark and Screen is applied to pixels where the FG is bright.
Pinlight	Replaces the BG colors depending on the brightness of the FG color. If the FG color is lighter than mid-gray, BG colors darker than the FG color are replaced and vice versa.
Hard Mix	Adds the FG to the BG and for each color component returns a value of 255 if the result is 255 or greater, or returns 0 if the result is less than 255.
Difference	Compares the pixels in the BG and FG and subtracts the darker pixels from the brighter ones.
Exclusion	Same as Difference but with less contrast.
Hue	Uses the hue from the FG , while the value and saturation are taken from the BG.
Saturation	Uses the saturation from the FG, while the value and hue are taken from the BG.
Color	Uses the hue and saturation from the FG, while the value is taken from the BG.
Value	Uses the value from the FG, while the hue and saturation are taken from the BG.