New AI Model 'Alchemist' Revolutionizes Image Material Property Transformation

2024-07-30

Researchers from MIT CSAIL and Google Research have developed "Alchemist," a
diffusion model that modifies material properties in images, such as roughness, metallicity,
albedo, and transparency. Alchemist enhances video game models, visual effects, and robotic
training data by allowing continuous adjustments to these properties. Using a denoising
diffusion model, Alchemist surpasses traditional photo editing tools in its ease and precision
for material transformation. Despite limitations in lighting accuracy, the model shows
potential for advancing 3D graphics and understanding the relationship between visual and
mechanical properties of objects.