NodeMaterial: Rationalize built-in Node materials & mirror supported properties from Three.js materials

[s3ththompson]

I'm trying to understand the difference between various NodeMaterials, such as MeshStandardNodeMaterial and StandardNodeMaterial.

Is the ultimate goal to offer the same built-in materials as Three.js proper? (e.g. THREE.MeshBasicMaterial, THREE.MeshDepthMaterial, THREE.MeshDistanceMaterial, THREE.MeshLambertMaterial, THREE.MeshMatcapMaterial, THREE.MeshNormalMaterial, THREE.MeshPhongMaterial, THREE.MeshPhysicalMaterial, THREE.MeshStandardMaterial, THREE.MeshToonMaterial)

I'd also hope to be able to expect the same properties between normal materials and NodeMaterials. For example, does MeshStandardNodeMaterial accept an alphaMap (or alpha) input like THREE.MeshStandardMaterial? I'm having a hard time following the supported properties from the inheritance chain... it looks like there are references to a transparency property or an alpha property on StandardNode, but no support for a Nodes.TextureNode to replicate alphaMap functionality?

cc @sunag

Thanks! I'm really excited by the possibilities that NodeMaterials unlock 😄

[sunag]

Is the ultimate goal to offer the same built-in materials as Three.js proper? (e.g. THREE.MeshBasicMaterial, THREE.MeshDepthMaterial, THREE.MeshDistanceMaterial, THREE.MeshLambertMaterial, THREE.MeshMatcapMaterial, THREE.MeshNormalMaterial, THREE.MeshPhongMaterial, THREE.MeshPhysicalMaterial, THREE.MeshStandardMaterial, THREE.MeshToonMaterial)

@s3ththompson This is a problem that I had post development of NodeMaterial design about extended the current materials in WebGL. Currently the new version of NodeMaterial is a rereading for hybrid plataform, using includes for snippets it will be easy to extend the current materials with properties like: standardMaterial.colorNode = ... and preserve the current properties.

Related: #21117, #20421

After maturing this new NodeMaterial version, I think about making this change in current NodeMaterial version of WebGL.

[LeviPesin]

Is this still an issue with the new Nodes system?

[Mugen87]

Considering this question as answered.