<!--
{
  "availability" : [
    "iOS: 15.0.0 -",
    "iPadOS: 15.0.0 -",
    "macCatalyst: 15.0.0 -",
    "macOS: 12.0.0 -",
    "tvOS: 26.0.0 -"
  ],
  "documentType" : "symbol",
  "framework" : "RealityKit",
  "identifier" : "/documentation/RealityKit/CustomMaterial/lightingModel-swift.property",
  "metadataVersion" : "0.1.0",
  "role" : "Instance Property",
  "symbol" : {
    "kind" : "Instance Property",
    "modules" : [
      "RealityKit"
    ],
    "preciseIdentifier" : "s:17RealityFoundation14CustomMaterialV13lightingModelAC08LightingF0Ovp"
  },
  "title" : "lightingModel"
}
-->

# lightingModel

The lighting model that the material uses.

```
var lightingModel: CustomMaterial.LightingModel { get }
```

## Discussion

A custom material’s lighting model determines exactly how RealityKit
uses the values set in your surface shader’s to render the entity.

Custom materials supports the following lighting models:

|Lighting Model|Description                                                                                                                                                   |Supported Shader Outputs                                    |
|--------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------|
|`.lit`        |Uses physically based rendering techniques, but excludes clearcoat.                                                                                           |All except `set_clearcoat()` and `set_clearcoat_roughness()`|
|`.clearcoat`  |Uses physically based rendering techniques, including clearcoat.                                                                                              |All                                                         |
|`.unlit`      |Renders without any shading or lighting calculations. The result is similar to using an ``doc://com.apple.RealityKit/documentation/RealityKit/UnlitMaterial``.|Uses `set_emissive_color()` only                            |

---

Copyright &copy; 2026 Apple Inc. All rights reserved. | [Terms of Use](https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/terms/site.html) | [Privacy Policy](https://www.apple.com/privacy/privacy-policy)