# How to use Smart Masks in Substance Painter

**Open** your substance project

You can find the **smart masks** in the **assets folder**. It's a **“rectangle with a hole” icon** next to smart materials.

![](https://scil-wiki.su.edu/uploads/images/gallery/2025-12/embedded-image-xgebdzna.png)

![](https://scil-wiki.su.edu/uploads/images/gallery/2025-12/embedded-image-v9nlf5cz.png)

To show how to use the smart masks I will use this **table** as an **example**

This is how it looks **before** any smart mask applied

![](https://scil-wiki.su.edu/uploads/images/gallery/2025-12/embedded-image-8ftqdhne.png)

First **select** your **smart mask** drag and **drop** it in the **layers tab**

I choose **moss** for the table

![](https://scil-wiki.su.edu/uploads/images/gallery/2025-12/embedded-image-53f1qhyz.png)

The **mask** is already **applied** once dropped in the **layers tab**

 ![](https://scil-wiki.su.edu/uploads/images/gallery/2025-12/embedded-image-pidjoffa.png)

If you click on **"Mask Builder - Legacy"** in the layers tab you can adjust the **settings of the mask**

![](https://scil-wiki.su.edu/uploads/images/gallery/2025-12/embedded-image-mmpbooyb.png)

![](https://scil-wiki.su.edu/uploads/images/gallery/2025-12/embedded-image-2oikzeys.png)

**For example**, if you change **level** it would look like **this**

![](https://scil-wiki.su.edu/uploads/images/gallery/2025-12/embedded-image-wxrfh133.png)![](https://scil-wiki.su.edu/uploads/images/gallery/2025-12/embedded-image-f90s0i0k.png)

  **Before After**

To **add textures**, click on the **white ball** next to mask.

![](https://scil-wiki.su.edu/uploads/images/gallery/2025-12/embedded-image-5qg12j9r.png)

Scroll **down** in the **properties tab**. Now you can **add** your textures in the **material section**.

Try **not** to choose materials that have **spaces** in between.

 **For example,**

![](https://scil-wiki.su.edu/uploads/images/gallery/2025-12/embedded-image-j83bna0h.png)![](https://scil-wiki.su.edu/uploads/images/gallery/2025-12/embedded-image-hvwaurot.png)

**Choose** the **first one** instead of the second one **for better visuals**

Or if you're going for **metal rust**.

![](https://scil-wiki.su.edu/uploads/images/gallery/2025-12/embedded-image-ogywwuqr.png)![](https://scil-wiki.su.edu/uploads/images/gallery/2025-12/embedded-image-jncmirpz.png)

Go for the **first one** for better visuals.

**Now add** your textures in the **properties** window.

![](https://scil-wiki.su.edu/uploads/images/gallery/2025-12/embedded-image-q4qofcrj.png)

**After** adding your textures, it should look like **this**.

![](https://scil-wiki.su.edu/uploads/images/gallery/2025-12/embedded-image-y9ycndbs.png)

**The End.**