Benefits of "Specular Workflow" versus "Metalness Workflow"?

Question

What are the benefits of a "Specular Workflow" (not in Blender-Cylces) compared to Blender's "Metalness Workflow" in Cylcles?

Answer 1 · 2020-09-15T16:37:55Z

Jonathan Lampel replied September 15, 2020 4:37pm

The only benefit I know of is that it gives you control over the reflectivity, but the specular slider on the Principled BSDF in Blender makes up for this.

Answer 2 · 2020-09-15T16:56:15Z

replied September 15, 2020 4:56pm

Can I say that the "Specular" value of the "Principled BSDF" shader node defines the strength of the highlights whereas the "Roughness" setting defines the sharpness of the highlights?

Answer 3 · 2020-09-15T17:52:44Z

Jonathan Lampel replied September 15, 2020 5:52pm

Yes! And if you want to get technical it's really the IOR.

Answer 4 · 2020-09-16T11:16:46Z

replied September 16, 2020 11:16am

When it comes to the Fresnel effect and its connection with the roughness, a higher "Roughness" value not only softens the highlights but also reduces the Fresnel which looks to me somehow as a special case of a highlight.