---
title: "VRaySpecular"
canonical: "https://documentation.chaos.com/space/VMAX/113575325/VRaySpecular"
format: markdown
---
This page gives information about the Specular Render Element.
## **Overview**
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## **Parameters**
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## **Evaluating the Specular Render Element**
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In most scenes, the Specular Render Element renders as mostly black with some gray, or as completely black. Only materials that are set up to reflect, and which do actually reflect a highlight in the rendered scene, are rendered as having image value in the render element. Shades of gray (or shades of color) in the Specular Render Element rarely reach full value (white in most cases); a white or full value pixel would indicate that the material is completely made up of reflected light at that point, which is rare in realistic scenes. Surfaces with no reflection values set in their material(s) contain no information in the render element, and therefore render as black.
Specular light primarily appears on reflective surfaces with a low incidence angle to a bright surface or light source. Lowering the material's gloss value below 1.0 or increasing the IOR can increase this effect.
## **Common Uses**
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The **Specular Render Element** is useful for changing the final image's specular appearance during compositing. In the example, the specular reflections are brightened and tinted with a cooler color. See the render before and after compositing.
## **Underlying Compositing Formula**
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The VRaySpecular Render Element is added as part of the [Beauty composite](https://docs-chaos.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/VMAX/pages/113586780) to form the final image.
