How Polycor’s PBR Technology is Revolutionizing Stone Selection

When it comes to selecting natural stone for a project, seeing is believing. That’s why Polycor has developed the industry’s most comprehensive suite of 3D visualization tools, including cutting-edge Physically Based Rendering (PBR) textures that allow architects, designers, and clients to see exactly how their chosen stone will look before it’s ever installed.

The Power of PBR Technology

PBR is a shading and rendering method that creates more accurate representations of how light interacts with different material properties, which is crucial for creating textures that effectively describe surfaces through their interaction with light rays. But what does this mean in practice? Carlos Borbor, Polycor’s in-house 3D specialist, explains the technology behind these revolutionary visualization tools:

“Physically Based Rendering goes beyond simple image mapping. The technology uses different material maps in the background that tell the computer exactly how rough a material is. A smooth surface will reflect more light, while a rougher surface diffuses it. This allows us to accurately represent how different stone finishes interact with light in the real world.”

The PBR process involves multiple sophisticated mapping techniques:

• Ambient Occlusion: This creates subtle contact shadows and depth, particularly important for stone installations where different pieces meet.
• Normal Maps: These tell the software how to emulate surface profiles, creating realistic shadows and light interactions based on the stone’s natural texture.
• Roughness Maps: These dictate how light reflects off different areas of the stone, capturing the varying surface qualities that make natural stone so unique.
• Displacement Maps: For advanced applications, these maps create actual surface geometry variations, though they require more computational power.

To create these advanced textures, Polycor partners with industry leaders to scan stone slabs using state-of-the-art equipment. “They scan everything and create the maps that capture all the material properties,” Barbour explains. “When the light hits it, you’ll see the shine reflecting differently on each piece because they have different light reflection properties.”

This sophisticated technology allows Polycor to capture the precise way light interacts with different stone surfaces, creating the most comprehensive rendition of how the stone will look under various lighting conditions and at different times of day, whether in light or shadow.

Real-World Applications: Making Bold Choices with Confidence

The true value of this technology becomes evident in real-world applications. Take, for example, the recent projects of John Colaneri and Jaclyn Isaac, two design professionals who used Polycor’s PBR technology to make bold design choices with confidence.

John Colaneri’s Black Granite Home Exterior

For Colaneri’s project, the transformation was dramatic. The existing white brick exterior was completely reimagined using SAINT HENRY BLACK® granite in a thermal finish for exterior veneer. The ability to visualize such a bold choice was crucial to the decision-making process.

“At the beginning, he wanted to put the black stone but he was indecisive asking, ‘Would this actually look good?’” Barbour recalls. “And once he had a realistic view of the house modeled with the stone and saw how it would look by interacting with the design in different lighting setups… he was, like, oh, yeah, this looks good. This is what I want.”

The project also included the expansion of a backyard patio using Saint Henry Black extra-large stone pavers, creating a cohesive design that seamlessly connected the exterior spaces. The PBR visualization helped confirm that the dark stone would create the desired dramatic effect while maintaining the home’s elegant aesthetic and not be overpowering.

Saint Henry Black granite PBR Texture Renderings

Finished Installation

Jaclyn Isaac’s European-Inspired Checkerboard

When interior designer Jaclyn Isaac approached her historic farmhouse renovation, she had a vision of creating a European-inspired outdoor living space that would honor the home’s history while adding a touch of unexpected elegance. Her bold choice? A large-scale checkerboard pattern using INDIANA LIMESTONE – FOSSIL BEIGE™ and GEORGIA MARBLE™ – PEARL GREY™.

“When I was first thinking of a checkerboard patio, I was like, is that crazy?” Isaac admitted. This is where Polycor’s PBR technology proved invaluable, allowing the design team to create custom visualizations showing exactly how the two stones would interact: “The visualization shows how each stone type interacts differently with light – the Pearl Grey marble reflects light differently than the Indiana limestone, creating a subtle interplay that adds depth to the checkerboard pattern. Our PBR technology captures these distinct material properties accurately.”

The technology helped Isaac confidently move forward with what might have otherwise seemed like a risky design choice. The result? A stunning outdoor space that perfectly balances the home’s farmhouse roots with modern luxury, featuring a checkerboard pattern with natural stone that serves as both a structural element and a piece of functional art.

Sample 1: 3D Design with No Textures

Sample 2: 3D Design with PBR Textures

Finished Installation Gallery

Breaking Down Barriers in Design

One of the most significant advantages of Polycor’s PBR technology is its accessibility. As Barbour emphasizes, “While this technology serves professionals like designers, engineers, and architects, it’s accessible to anyone interested in design. There’s no steep learning curve, and it streamlines communication between all parties involved in the decision-making process. It saves both time and costs while enabling confident decisions based on accurate visualizations.”

Looking to the Future

Polycor continues to expand its digital toolkit, with plans to develop more stone scans and BIM objects for architectural firms. “We’re also developing BIM objects for architectural firms or engineering firms, so they can use easily within their project and properly integrate that in a way that becomes a whole coherent unit with the project,” says Barbour.

In addition to Polycor’s extensive collection of natural stone samples available in various finishes, these 3D tools provide an unprecedented level of visualization capability. Whether you’re an architect presenting to a client, a designer exploring bold pattern options, or a homeowner making a significant investment in natural stone, Polycor’s PBR technology helps ensure that what you see is truly what you’ll get.

The days of relying solely on imagination or small samples are over. With Polycor’s PBR technology, you can make informed decisions about your stone selections with complete confidence, knowing exactly how the final installation will look in your space.Ready to explore how Polycor’s PBR technology can help with your next project? Visit our PBR material library to access our collection of stone textures and visualization tools.