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Fake Specular

Creates a shiny specular highlight on a mesh by layering a second transparent, environment-mapped mesh on top of the original.

Fake specular effect example

Steps​

1. Duplicate the mesh​

In edit mode, select the mesh you want a shine on and duplicate it. Do not move the duplicate.

Duplicating the mesh in edit mode

2. Assign a new material​

Create a new material, select the Environment Mapped Transparent preset, and assign it to the duplicated mesh. Import your shine texture — textures with an alpha channel work best.

Selecting the Environment Mapped Transparent preset Importing the texture
Shine texture

This is the texture used in this tutorial. A soft radial gradient with alpha works well for this effect.

Shine32xSoft sample texture

3. Adjust the Color Combiner​

In the Color Combiner, change Cycle 1 D Alpha from 1 to Texture 0 Alpha.

Color Combiner before change Color Combiner after change

4. Set the render mode​

In the lower settings (make sure Show Simplified UI is disabled), change Render Mode Cycle 2 to Transparent Decal.

Setting render mode to Transparent Decal