Dont know if this have been asked before, i feel like this is a basic thing that should have been mentioned before but i cant find the answear.
Im trying to make a swordblade material, so i use 1-Metal and then i try to add a specular map to it but it does not show?
If i just take a diffuse colour and add my specular map then my specular map is clearly visible. but when i use 0.4 or more metallic then the specular map disapears?
Is it not possible to make specular maps with metal? do i have to use normal maps?
More close metal is to 1, less specular have influence. You’ll need to use Roughness to get result. Also Spec still alive with 0.9 metal, depending on your spec map it will look more or less.
If you want you can show me the graph and the type of metal you try to achieve, maybe I can help you a little more.
Well im trying to make a plate armor, you know like in the medieval times. But i want it to look a little bit worn. Like litle scratches and dirt. Normal maps are to extreme for it so i figured specular maps?
One thing you can take a look at is our M_Metal_Burnished_Steel material that is included in the Starter Content. It shows a great example of a distressed metal material and uses Roughness to get a solid look. I’d highly recommend taking a look at that setup and attempting to create something similar.
I recommend you to follow Sean advice, that material is a good reference and also if you have problem with your normal, you can try to remake it more smooth or even try to make it more smooth inside UE4.