---
title: "Multi-Map"
url: "https://help.maxon.net/r3d/3dsmax/en-us/Content/html/Texture%2B3ds%2BMulti%2BMap.html"
section_path: "Shaders > Texture Shaders > Multi-Map"
description: "The Multi-Map node is an exclusive node to 3ds Max, it can assign colors or textures based on several predefined sources."
---

# Multi-Map

You are here:

# Multi-Map

## Overview

The Multi-Map node is an exclusive node to 3ds Max, it can assign colors or textures based on several predefined sources.

## Examples

Use a Multi-Map node anywhere a color or texture is accepted to assign variation to that input. In the example below, a Multi-Map is used to vary the Base Color of a Standard Material across 6 objects. The Multi-Map uses the Object ID mode and each object was given a unique ID from 1 to 6. However, the Map Count is only set to 5 which results in the 6th object receiving the Default Color because it is out of range. Each ID is given its own unique color but objects 3, 4, and 5 also have a texture connected to them. Note that Object 4 has the texture disabled which reverts it back to its yellow ID color and object's 3 and 5 are not affected by their color swatch (orange and blue) because the connected texture takes priority.

|  |  |
| --- | --- |
| ![Image: 3ds_MultiMap_Ex_01_pic.png](https://help.maxon.net/r3d/3dsmax/en-us/Content/Resources/Images/3ds_MultiMap_Ex_01_pic.png) | ![Image: 3ds_MultiMap_Ex_01_UI.png](https://help.maxon.net/r3d/3dsmax/en-us/Content/Resources/Images/3ds_MultiMap_Ex_01_UI.png) |

## Parameters

|  |
| --- |
| ![Image: 3ds_Multimap_Param_UI.png](https://help.maxon.net/r3d/3dsmax/en-us/Content/Resources/Images/3ds_Multimap_Param_UI.png) |
|  |

##### Default Color

Defines the color or texture map used when no ID is found or the ID value is out of range. For example, if you have a Map Count of 5 then objects with an ID of 6 or greater use the Default Color.

If a texture is connected the color swatch is not used.

##### Map Count

Controls the total number of IDs that can be defined. By default each ID is given a sequential value from 1 up to the Map Count but this can be manually customized per ID Color. For example, you can use a Map Count of 5 and provide inputs for IDs 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 instead of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.

##### ID Source

Controls which data type is used as the source for texture assignments from the following options:

- **Face Material ID** - Uses the polygon Material ID assigned to each face.
- **Object ID** - Uses the Object ID for each object.
- **Random by Node Handle** - Randomly assigns colors based on an internal ID value that 3ds tracks automatically.
- **Random by Object Name** - Randomly assigns colors based on an object's name, if objects share the same name they will also share the same ID color.
- **Random by Particle ID** - Randomly assigns colors based on a particle's ID.

##### ID Color

Each ID Color provides several options:

|  |
| --- |
| ![Image: 3ds_Multimap_ID_Color_Ex_UI.png](https://help.maxon.net/r3d/3dsmax/en-us/Content/Resources/Images/3ds_Multimap_ID_Color_Ex_UI.png) |
|  |

1. **ID Toggle** - Enables or disables an ID assignment. When disabled, any matching ID uses the Default Color.
2. **ID Value** - Controls which ID is used for assignment with the ID color. By default these are listed sequentially but they can be manually customized.
3. **Color** - Defines the color. When a texture is used, this color has no effect.
4. **Texture Map** - Defines the texture.
5. **Texture Toggle** - Allows a texture to be enabled or disabled without disconnecting a texture map. When disabled, the color swatch is used.