ShaderMap review
An affordable Windows tool for PBR map generation, geometry baking, and scripted workflows.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
ShaderMap is a Windows desktop application for 3D artists who need to generate, bake, edit, and visualize texture maps. It works from source images, 3D models, and multi-angle light-scan photo stacks. Its workflow covers normal, ambient occlusion, color ID, curve, depth, metallic, roughness, and displacement-related map tasks, with material visualization on 3D models.
Pricing is straightforward. A free Basic version is available, while paid Pro licenses are offered as one-time purchases: Student costs $19, Personal costs $29, and Commercial costs $49. Each paid tier lists all Pro features, PBR maps and materials, multi-angle light scan plugins, Lua scripting project setup, external editing, and no watermarks or ads. The Student tier is the lowest-cost route, while the Personal and Commercial tiers align with broader usage categories.
ShaderMap is strongest when map generation and baking are the center of the workflow. The Normal Editor can paint and modify normal and displacement maps, filters include blur, high pass, brightness, and contrast, and Lua scripting supports batch processing of source files. External image-editor export adds flexibility, but the product is focused on texture maps rather than general texture painting. Choose it for an affordable Windows-based map-generation workflow with geometry baking, PBR support, and scripting; choose another category tool if broad texture-painting capabilities or non-Windows support is a priority.
ShaderMap pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Free Basic version plus low-cost perpetual paid licenses
- Bakes multiple maps from 3D geometry and generates PBR maps
- Supports Lua batch processing and multi-angle light scans
- Where it doesn't
- Available only on Windows
- The free Basic version includes ads and watermarks
- Focused on map workflows rather than general texture painting
ShaderMap fact sheet, pricing and score →
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