Using Poliigon assets in D5 Render (Updated 2025)

In an open D5 project, select the page icon at the top left and select the desired model.

The model will then be added to the project assets, accessible from the left pane navigation. You can then click the model name to add it to the scene via mouse snap and click-to-drop.

Please note that you will need to load materials for imported models manually by following the steps in the section below.

To access the model again for re-use, select “add to local” at the top of the inspector window to add to D5’s asset library.

Add an object to the scene (see the section above).

Use the material selector by selecting the eyedropper icon at the top left of the viewport, or by using the hotkey “i”, and click on the object.

The Inspector window will be focused on the right-hand pane navigation by default.

Choose the material type by selecting from the dropdown. Poliigon materials ship with displacement maps, which the D5 custom material doesn’t support by default. You can select a displacement material from the dropdown.

You can import texture maps one at a time by clicking the blank icon next to each input socket. But D5 Render also has a batch import feature that makes this process much easier. Click the batch import icon at the top of the inspector window, then select all relevant maps for the given material. D5 Render should import all maps and assign them to the correct slots.

D5 Render needs normal maps in DirectX format. Poliigon provides OpenGL normal maps, so you must flip the green channel. Use an external program like Adobe Photoshop before importing it into D5.

For materials like glass or those with opacity maps, choose a different type from the dropdown. This helps you access the right input sockets.

To access the material again for re-use, select “add to local” at the top of the material inspector window to add to D5’s asset library.

With a project open, navigate to the Environment tab on the right pane menu, then switch from “Geo and Sky” to "HDRI."

Click the down arrow next to the currently loaded HDRI name, then click “Customize HDR."

Build your scene as you would otherwise, keeping in mind the above limitations. Poliigon models will work as long as materials are added manually, not by the Poliigon add-on.

Poliigon materials added by the Poliigon addon to 3rd-party or custom-made models will also work.

Once you’re ready to sync with D5, save your .blend file at least once.

Navigate to the D5 menu on the tools panel, and click Sync. This will create a snapshot of your scene in D5. Changes to your .blend file will now update in your D5 project.

You can also use the “View Sync” option. This will match the viewports in each software. It gives you precise control over the final render's appearance.

You can also use the D5 tool panel to export an object, or groups of objects, as a .d5a file, D5’s native file type. Please note, however, that multiple objects saved as a .d5a file will import into D5 as a single object. D5 has stated that it hopes to bring expanded functionality to the tool to allow grouped objects to import as individual meshes.