--- title: "Using the Material Tool | Gendo" description: "Change materials on specific surfaces without modifying the rest of the design." lang: en json-ld: --- [![Gendo](https://assets.gendo.ai/marketing/homepage/gendo-logo-white.png)](/) [Features](/product)[Solutions](/workflows)[Resources](/resources)[Pricing](/pricing) About [Log In](https://app.gendo.ai/sign-in)[Start creating ](https://app.gendo.ai/sign-up) [Back to Guides](/resources?tab=guides) Feature Guide 5 min read # Using the Material Tool Change materials on specific surfaces without modifying the rest of the design. Scroll to explore Contents 1. Introduction 2. Feature Overview 3. Workflow 4. Rotation and Scale 5. Tips 6. Related Links Introduction ## What is the Material Tool? The Material tool allows you to change the material of specific components within an image without modifying the rest of the design. Instead of regenerating the entire image, you can select a precise area of the render and apply a new material to that region while keeping the surrounding architecture unchanged. This is useful when you want to experiment with different façade materials, surface finishes, or textures while preserving the original composition. Feature Overview ## Understanding the interface ### Material Panel Overview When you select an image and activate the Material tool, the contextual toolbar activates the material panel as well as tools relevant to the material workflow on the canvas. - **Material reference** – upload or select a texture image - **Description** – describe the material you want to apply - **Enhance prompt** – auto-improves your description - **Generate** – apply material to the selected area ### On the Canvas - **Selection tools** – select area using polygon or lasso - **Selected area** – highlighted region where material is applied - **Undo** – remove or adjust selection ![Material Panel Overview](https://assets.gendo.ai/marketing/material-tool-overview.png) Workflow ## Step by Step 1 ### Select the image, choose Swap Material, then Select an area Select any rendered image on the canvas to begin — you can also upload an image from elsewhere. When the image is selected, the contextual toolbar appears. Choose **Swap Material** from the toolbar to open the panel, then click **Select an area** to start defining the surface you want to change. ![Select the image, choose Swap Material, then Select an area](https://assets.gendo.ai/marketing/material-step1-swap.png) 2 ### Draw the surface you want to change Use the **Polygon** tool for architectural elements with clean, straight edges (façade panels, windows, walls) or the **Lasso** tool for irregular or organic shapes. Click to add points around the surface — hold **⌥ (Alt)** to subtract from the selection and refine the mask. Use **Clear selection** to start over, or zoom in to capture finer details. When the mask looks right, click **Save and continue** in the Swap Material panel. ![Draw the surface you want to change](https://assets.gendo.ai/marketing/material-step2-swap.png) 3 ### Add a reference material and describe the new finish Once your surface is saved, the Swap Material panel shows a preview of the selected area. Drop a swatch into **Material image reference (optional)** to guide texture, tone, colour, and finish — this is highly recommended for accurate results. Then write a **Description** following the recommended prompt formula: _\[New Material\], \[Color & Pattern\], \[Finish & Effects\], \[Extra Keywords\]_. For example: _Concrete, warm grey, matte finish, subtle aggregate texture._ Use **Enhance prompt** to refine the wording automatically. ![Add a reference material and describe the new finish](https://assets.gendo.ai/marketing/material-step3-swap.png) 4 ### Generate, review, and add to the canvas Hit **Generate** — Swap Material produces two variations of the selected surface while everything else in the image stays untouched. Review them in the output panel beside your render and click the **+** button on any variation to add it to the canvas as its own asset. From there you can compare side by side, iterate with a different reference or prompt, or hit **Change** in the panel to re-select a new surface and keep exploring. ![Generate, review, and add to the canvas](https://assets.gendo.ai/marketing/material-step4-swap.png) ## Adjusting rotation and scale Sometimes a reference material lands on your surface at the wrong angle or size — the pattern runs in the wrong direction, or the texture is too large or too fine for the scene. The **Rotation** and **Scale** sliders let you correct this before you generate. After you add a reference material, the Swap Material panel shows the material preview with two sliders beneath it: - **Rotation** — turns the material to follow the direction and perspective of the surface. - **Scale** — sizes the pattern up or down so it reads correctly in the scene, for example matching the veining of a marble slab or the grain of a timber floor. Each slider shows its current value and has its own **Reset** link to return it to the default. Adjust until the material sits naturally on the surface, then hit **Generate**. ![The Rotation and Scale sliders in the Swap Material panel](https://assets.gendo.ai/marketing/material-rotation-scale-panel.png) The result maps the new material onto your selected surface following the scene's perspective and lighting, so a swapped floor stays grounded in the render while everything around it is preserved — as in the example below, where a timber floor is replaced with marble at the correct scale and orientation. ![Before and after: a timber floor swapped to marble](https://assets.gendo.ai/marketing/material-rotation-scale-result.png) Pro Tips ## Get Better Results Use the Polygon Tool for architectural elements with clean, straight edges. Use the Lasso Tool for organic or irregular shapes like landscaping. Upload a material reference image to guide texture, tone, and finish. Use the Rotation and Scale sliders to align a reference material to your surface's perspective before generating. Use Add and Subtract selection modes to refine your mask precisely. Generate multiple variations to compare different material options side by side. Further Reading ## Related Links [Render Design Guide ](/resources/learn/render-design) [Gendo AI Assistant Guide ](/resources/learn/gendo-ai-assistant) ## Related Tutorials [View all](/resources?tab=guides) [ ![Using Render Design](https://assets.gendo.ai/marketing/render-panel-prompt-ideas.png) Feature Guide ### Using Render Design Transform sketches, CAD screenshots, or design images into high-quality architectural renders. ](/resources/learn/render-design) [ ![Using the Gendo AI Assistant](https://assets.gendo.ai/marketing/ai-assistant-chat-open.png) Feature Guide ### Using the Gendo AI Assistant Refine, generate, and modify designs on the canvas using natural language. ](/resources/learn/gendo-ai-assistant) [Gendo ](#) A living canvas for visual exploration, iteration, and decision-making. ### Product - [Product](/product) - [Pricing](/pricing) - [FAQs](/faqs) ### Company - [About Us](/about-us) - [Career](/career) - [Environmental Statement](/about/environmental-statement) - [Blog](/resources/insights) - [Contact Us](/book-call) ### Connect - [LinkedIn](https://linkedin.com/company/gendo-ai) - [Instagram](https://instagram.com/gendo.ai) - [YouTube](https://youtube.com/@Gendo-ai) © 2026 Gendo. 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