By default, a material defined in the Shading panel is automatically applied to any previously selected object (objects). In the same way any modification of a shader parameter is immediately applied. If you do not want this to happen, deselect the Auto apply material option. You will then have to press Apply whenever you want to assign the current material definition to the selected object.
Note: The Auto apply material option could slow down operations if you need to continually adjust material settings in a complex scene. In this case, you could decide to deselect this option.
Two methods are available for assigning materials. The first one, which can be used when a material has to be created, includes the following steps:
1) Select the object (objects) to which you want to assign a material.
2) Create the desired material in the Shading panel.
3) Apply it as above.
Steps to assign a material you previously stored in the Materials library, are:
1) Select the object (objects) that you want to assign a material to.
2) Choose the material from the Materials library and click its icon: it will automatically be applied to the selected object (objects).
Note: When you assign environment, background, or foreground materials from the Materials library by clicking its related icon, no objects must be selected, as these materials are assigned to the scene.
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