---
title: "Shader Properties"
url: "https://help.maxon.net/c4d/en-us/Content/html/XFORMULA-ID_SHADERPROPERTIES.html"
section_path: "Material Manager > Classic Materials > Classic material > Channel Shaders > Formula Shader > Shader Properties"
element_id: "XFORMULA"
group_id: "ID_SHADERPROPERTIES"
description: "Enter a formula in this field. Valid variables are (open the Variables menu):"
---

## Shader Properties

### Expression

Parameter ID: `FORMULASHADER_EXPRESSION`

Enter a formula in this field. Valid variables are (open the **Variables** menu):

**U, V, W**: The UVW coordinates

**X, Y, Z**: The spatial coordinates

**t**: Time in seconds

**User Data**: User Data that you define (in the following example: Factor)

As always, the formulas in the [Attachment](https://help.maxon.net/c4d/en-us/Content/html/6194.html.md) are valid for all numeric fields; for users with more pronounced math skills, these can be used to create a wide range of effects.

![Image: 039646.jpg](https://help.maxon.net/c4d/en-us/Content/Resources/Images/039646.jpg)\
3 formulas and their respective results in the Formula shader, at center using User Data. At right is a random white noise.

### Use Global Coordinates

Parameter ID: `FORMULASHADER_USEWORLDSPACE`

![Image: 039647.jpg](https://help.maxon.net/c4d/en-us/Content/Resources/Images/039647.jpg)\
At left enabled, at right disabled **Use Global Coordinates** option. Formula used: sin((x\*y)\*0.1).

If you use position coordinates within the formula you can switch between the local (option disabled and the coordinate system of the object to which the material is assigned will be used) and global coordinate systems.

![Image: subgroup.gif](https://help.maxon.net/c4d/en-us/Content/Resources/Images/subgroup.gif)\
Variables

### u,v,w - UVW Map Coordinates

Parameter ID: `FORMULASHADER_HELP01`

### x,y,z - Shading Point Coordinates

Parameter ID: `FORMULASHADER_HELP02`

### t - Time (in seconds)

Parameter ID: `FORMULASHADER_HELP03`