Surface Labs is a node-based application for authoring procedural textures and materials. Users build textures by connecting operations in a graph. Its node library covers generators, filters, blends, transforms, normals, channel operations, and math. A GLSL editor supports custom nodes, with code compiled to the native Rust engine; the maker says most nodes render in under 2 ms. Desktop authoring supports resolutions up to 8192 × 8192 in 32-bit float, while iPadOS and Android are limited to 4096 × 4096. A headless command-line tool can evaluate graphs and export textures for batch work and CI. The built-in MCP server lets compatible assistants inspect and edit projects, render nodes, and export textures. It is opt-in, binds to loopback, requires a generated token, and rejects non-local Origins, but its file arguments can access files available to the user account beyond a project directory. Portable .surfacelabs files bundle materials, subgraphs, embedded images, fonts, a preview model, and export settings. The application is free during early access; the iPad build is distributed through TestFlight, whose builds expire on a 90-day cycle.
Who it is for
Surface Labs is described for indie developers and can fit workflows using Unity, Unreal Engine, Godot, VFX, or other PBR texture pipelines. It may suit users who want graph-based authoring and command-line export.
What is good
- Node library spans generators, filters, and math operations.
- Custom GLSL nodes compile to the native engine.
- CLI supports graph evaluation and batch export.
- Portable projects bundle assets and export settings.
- Free while in early access.
What to know first
- Mobile authoring is capped at 4096 × 4096.
- MCP file arguments can access user-accessible files beyond a project.
- iPad TestFlight builds expire on a 90-day cycle.
Verdict
Surface Labs pairs procedural material authoring with custom nodes and batch export. Consider the MCP file-access scope and the mobile resolution cap before choosing a workflow.
Surface Labs plans and pricing
All plansCompared on 3D texturing software
- Free plan
- Yes
- Procedural materials
- Yes
- Texture baking
- Yes
- PBR workflow
- Yes
- Node-based authoring
- Yes
- Supported platforms
- Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iPad
