Embedded Files
Layers can be masked in order to display/apply their content only on specific parts of the texture. The mask works as an intensity parameter over the content of the layer. A mask on a layer is always in grayscale, no matter what content you use to paint over it (therefore any colour will be converted to a grayscale value before being painted).
What are Masks?
What are Masks?
Masks in Substance Painter are tools that control where an effect, material, or layer is visible on a model.
They work like stencils. A mask decides which areas are shown and which are hidden, without deleting any data.
White areas of a mask = visible.
Black areas = hidden.
Grey values = partly visible (useful for blending).
This non-destructive system means you can change or remove the mask without damaging your texture work.
Types of Masks
Types of Masks
Black/White Masks
Black/White Masks
The most basic type.
You add a mask to a layer, then paint black, white, or grey values directly.
White reveals the material, black hides it, grey blends.
Useful for hand-painting details like scratches, stains, or controlled effects.
Example: Painting mud splashes on boots by using a soft white brush over a black mask.
Generator Masks
Generator Masks
Procedural masks created using mesh information.
They use baked maps like curvature, ambient occlusion, world space normals, thickness, and position.
You add a generator to a mask, then tweak settings to control how the mask behaves.
Commonly used for edge wear, dirt build-up, or directional effects (e.g., dust settling from above).
Example: Edge wear generator revealing bare metal where paint has chipped.
Fill Masks
Fill Masks
Masks filled with a texture, procedural pattern, or image.
They can use Substance Painter’s built-in grunge maps, clouds, scratches, or even custom images.
Great for creating organic variation without hand-painting everything.
Example: Using a grunge map in a fill mask to break up a clean plastic surface with random roughness.
Paintable Masks
Paintable Masks
These are masks where you directly use painting tools.
Combine with brushes, stencils, or alphas for detailed control.
Often used alongside generators to fine-tune specific areas.
Example: After applying a dirt generator, you erase or add more dirt manually with brush strokes to make it look natural.
How Masks Work in Substance Painter
How Masks Work in Substance Painter
Every fill layer or material can have a mask.
Masks define where that material is applied.
You can stack and combine masks using folders and effects.
Masks are grayscale images, so values from 0 (black) to 255 (white) determine strength.
Examples
Examples
Adding Dirt to a Model
Apply a dirt material to your model.
Add a black mask to hide it.
Use a generator (based on ambient occlusion) so the dirt only appears in cracks and crevices.
Creating Edge Wear on Metal
Add a steel material.
Place paint on top with a mask.
Use a curvature generator so the paint is worn away on sharp edges, revealing the metal.
Hand-Painted Damage
Apply a leather material.
Add a black mask.
Use a soft white brush to paint scratches and wear exactly where you want them.
Why Use Masks?
Why Use Masks?
Non-destructive: You can edit or remove at any time.
Efficient: Reuse generators and textures across layers.
Flexible: Combine procedural and manual work for precise control.
Realistic results: Generators respond to mesh details, helping create believable wear and tear.
Resources
Resources
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