1. File Overview

Main File	MB-Random-advertising_column.blend
Blender Version	5.2.0 LTS
Render Engine	Cycles
Unit System	Metric
Poster Layouts	3 packed 4096 × 4096 images
Randomized Asset	3,022 vertices / 2,940 faces / 5,848 triangles
Baked Variants	3 variants, each with 942 vertices / 860 faces / 1,688 triangles
Preview Scene	4 cameras, 6 lights and a background setup

2. Collection Structure

CINEMATICS	Contains the preview cameras, lights and background plane. This collection is not required when appending the asset to another project.
MB_STREETPROBS_ADCOLUMN	Contains the main randomized advertising-column objects and the example variation setup.
BAKE	Contains the fixed baked variants A, B and C with their 4K texture materials.

3. Randomized Asset vs. Baked Variants

Main Randomized Asset

The primary editable object is:

MB_STREETPROBS_ADCOLUMN-RDM

It uses two main materials:

• MB_STREETBROBS_LABEL-RDM – poster selection, poster rotation and poster weathering.
• MB_PROC-METAL_WEATHER – worn metal, rust, dirt, dust, drip streaks and random damage.

Baked Variants

• MB_STREETPROBS_ADCOLUMN-BAKE-A
• MB_STREETPROBS_ADCOLUMN-BAKE-B
• MB_STREETPROBS_ADCOLUMN-BAKE-C

The baked versions use fixed 4K textures and do not automatically change when duplicated.

4. How the Automatic Variation Works

The randomized materials use Blender object or instance information to generate a pseudo-random value. This value is then used in several parts of the shader.

Poster Selection

The material MB_STREETBROBS_LABEL-RDM contains three connected image textures:

• MB_STREETPROBS_ADCOLUMN-RDM-Layout-A.jpg
• MB_STREETPROBS_ADCOLUMN-RDM-Layout-B.jpg
• MB_STREETPROBS_ADCOLUMN-RDM-Layout-C.jpg

The MB_Texture_Pick_10 node group uses the random value to choose one of the connected images.

Poster Rotation

The RDM Rotation section sends a randomized value into the Mapping node. This changes the horizontal orientation of the artwork around the cylindrical surface.

Poster Weathering

The Weathering section uses drip-streak and surface masks to introduce variable wear, discoloration and bump detail on the advertising surface.

Metal Weathering

The material MB_PROC-METAL_WEATHER combines several included node groups:

• WORN METAL
• MB_NODE-PROC_DUST-O1
• MB_MSK-Ground-Dirt02
• MB_MSK-Dripstreeks-01
• MB_MSK-Random_Damage-O1
• MB_TRUE-RANDOMNESS

Together they create changes in dirt, rust, dust, drip streaks, bump detail and surface damage.

5. Duplicating and Instancing

Independent Duplicate

1. Select MB_STREETPROBS_ADCOLUMN-RDM.
2. Press Shift + D.
3. Move the duplicate.
4. Switch to Material Preview or Rendered View.

Linked Duplicate

1. Select the object.
2. Press Alt + D.
3. Move the linked duplicate.
4. The mesh data remains linked, while object-based shader variation can still be evaluated separately.

Instances

The shader is designed to support per-instance variation in Blender workflows that expose an individual instance random value. If an instancing setup shows identical results, convert the instances to real objects or use separate duplicates.

6. Replacing the Poster Artwork

1. Select the randomized advertising column.
2. Open the Shader Editor.
3. Select the material MB_STREETBROBS_LABEL-RDM.
4. Locate the three Image Texture nodes connected to MB_Texture_Pick_10.
5. Replace Layout A, B or C with your own image.
6. Use square artwork at 4096 × 4096 pixels for the closest match to the supplied setup.
7. Keep the image Color Space set to sRGB.
8. Use File > External Data > Pack Resources after adding your images.

7. Controlling Poster Rotation

1. Open MB_STREETBROBS_LABEL-RDM in the Shader Editor.
2. Locate the frame labeled RDM Rotation.
3. Adjust the Math or Multiply value to change the rotation range.
4. Reduce the multiplier to create smaller placement changes.
5. Set the rotation contribution to zero to keep all artwork in the same orientation.

Material settings are shared by all objects using the same material. Duplicate the material first when only one object should use a different rotation setup.

8. Controlling Poster Weathering

1. Open MB_STREETBROBS_LABEL-RDM.
2. Locate the frame labeled Weathering.
3. Adjust the Color Ramp handles to increase or reduce the affected areas.
4. Adjust the Mix factor to control how strongly the worn layer is blended with the poster.
5. Reduce the Bump strength when the damaged paper surface appears too pronounced.

9. Controlling Metal Weathering

1. Select one of the metal parts of the randomized asset.
2. Open MB_PROC-METAL_WEATHER.
3. Use the rust and ground-rust Color Ramps to control their coverage.
4. Adjust the dust and ground-dirt masks for cleaner or dirtier surfaces.
5. Adjust the drip-streak and random-damage masks to control local wear.
6. Reduce Bump strength for a smoother metal surface.

10. Locking a Specific Appearance

Recommended Method

Use one of the baked A, B or C variants. These versions have fixed poster artwork and fixed weathering.

Advanced Shader Method

1. Duplicate the poster material.
2. Replace the random input connected to MB_Texture_Pick_10 with a fixed Value node.
3. Adjust the value until the required poster layout is selected.
4. Remove or reduce the random input in the RDM Rotation section.
5. Assign the duplicated material only to the required object.

11. Baked Texture Workflow

The three baked variants use 4K texture sets containing:

• Diffuse
• Normal
• Metalness
• Specular
• Roughness
• Anisotropic
• Sheen
• Clearcoat
• Transmission

Recommended Color-Space Settings

Diffuse / Base Color	sRGB
Normal	Non-Color, connected through a Normal Map node
Metalness	Non-Color
Roughness	Non-Color
Additional Data Maps	Non-Color

12. Appending the Asset to Another Blender File

Append the Randomized Version

1. Open your target Blender project.
2. Choose File > Append.
3. Select MB-Random-advertising_column.blend.
4. Open the Collection folder.
5. Append MB_STREETPROBS_ADCOLUMN.

Append the Baked Variants

1. Choose File > Append.
2. Open the Collection folder.
3. Append BAKE.

The CINEMATICS collection is only required when you want to use the included preview cameras and lighting.

13. Performance Tips

• Use the randomized version for foreground columns and close-ups.
• Use the 1,688-triangle baked variants for distant or repeated background objects.
• Use linked duplicates or instances when placing large numbers of columns.
• Hide the CINEMATICS collection after appending the asset.
• Use Solid View while arranging larger urban scenes.
• Reduce viewport samples while testing placement.
• Use texture resolution limits in Blender when working with many 4K assets.
• Disable non-visible columns per camera where possible.

14. Troubleshooting

All copies show the same poster	Confirm that you created separate objects or supported instances. Try Shift + D, make instances real or check that the Object Info random output is still connected.
Some poster layouts repeat	This is expected. The included setup contains three poster layouts, so repeated layouts are possible. Rotation and weathering can still differ.
Poster artwork is rotated incorrectly	Check the Mapping node and the RDM Rotation section. Confirm that the original UV map has not been modified.
Poster artwork is stretched	Use square artwork matching the supplied 4096 × 4096 layout and keep the original UV mapping.
Weathering is too strong	Reduce the Weathering Mix factor, narrow the Color Ramp range and lower the Bump strength.
Editing one material changes every column	The objects share the same material data. Duplicate the material before making object-specific manual changes.
Textures appear pink	Use File > External Data > Find Missing Files. The original product textures are packed, but newly added custom artwork must be packed separately.
Baked maps look incorrect	Set Diffuse to sRGB and all technical maps to Non-Color. Connect the Normal texture through a Normal Map node.
The scene is slow	Use the baked variants for background placement, lower viewport samples and hide the preview lighting and cameras.
The file does not open correctly	Use Blender 5.2 LTS or a newer compatible version. Earlier Blender releases may not support every node or file feature.

15. Support

If you need help with custom poster artwork, material variation, weathering controls, baked textures or importing the asset into another Blender file, please contact us through Superhive.

When requesting support, include your Blender version, a screenshot and a short description of the issue.