One of the most powerful tools in many high-powered image editors is the ability to combine layers in multiple ways using Blend Modes. Instead of just saying, “I want Layer A to interact with Layer B a little bit,” Blend Modes allow you to say exactly what kind of interaction they should have.

In creating textures, a common example of blend modes would be when you have a textured wall and a grunge texture that you want to put onto that wall. Blend modes determine how they combine.  But what if you want to put the grunge only at the bottom of the wall? That’s where Genetica’s Combine Node comes into play with it’s third input, the Selector Node. I’ll leave it at that since there’s more on the video.

NOTE: Don’t confuse “Blend Modes” and “Genetica Nodes” here. In Genetica, there are numerous Blend Modes available.  Two of the most common modes are A+B (Add) and A*B (Multiply), and they are so commonly used that they got their own Nodes named after them… isn’t that special?

Go watch the video and learn about Blend Modes in Genetica!  Leave any questions/comments that you want.  The video is about 12 minutes long.

P.S. - You can right-click here to download the Genetica file used in the tutorial. Make sure to click the EDIT button on the node group at the bottom to actually see the part used in the video.

P.P.S – I used Pro for this tutorial, but you can use any edition of Genetica.