diff --git a/crates/rustmotion-components/tests/degenerate_inputs.rs b/crates/rustmotion-components/tests/degenerate_inputs.rs
index 7407a43..5933b28 100644
--- a/crates/rustmotion-components/tests/degenerate_inputs.rs
+++ b/crates/rustmotion-components/tests/degenerate_inputs.rs
@@ -58,6 +58,10 @@ fn paint(json: serde_json::Value, time: f64) {
     paint_tree(canvas, &built.root, &layout, &frame, &dispatcher);
 }
 
+fn runaway_budget() -> Duration {
+    Duration::from_secs(120)
+}
+
 fn paint_within(json: serde_json::Value, time: f64, budget: Duration, what: &str) {
     let (tx, rx) = mpsc::channel();
     let worker = std::thread::spawn(move || {
@@ -126,7 +130,7 @@ fn dot_map_terminates_on_a_zero_dot_spacing() {
             "style": { "width": 300, "height": 150 }
         }),
         0.5,
-        Duration::from_secs(10),
+        runaway_budget(),
         "dot_map with dot_spacing: 0",
     );
 }
diff --git a/crates/rustmotion-core/src/css/style.rs b/crates/rustmotion-core/src/css/style.rs
index e51015f..3d60c54 100644
--- a/crates/rustmotion-core/src/css/style.rs
+++ b/crates/rustmotion-core/src/css/style.rs
@@ -1350,6 +1350,16 @@ pub enum Material {
         /// `intensity`.
         #[serde(default = "default_material_intensity")]
         intensity: f32,
+        /// `inflated` only: how far inward from the silhouette the rounded
+        /// edge reaches, in pixels. Small values give a crisp bevel, large
+        /// ones a pillow. Default 18.
+        #[serde(default = "default_material_bevel")]
+        bevel: f32,
+        /// `inflated` only: how rounded the profile is across that bevel,
+        /// 0..1. Near 0 reads as a hard chamfer, near 1 as an inflated
+        /// cushion. Default 0.6.
+        #[serde(default = "default_material_softness")]
+        softness: f32,
     },
 }
 
@@ -1367,12 +1377,25 @@ pub enum MaterialPreset {
     /// Light with no specular return — shade only, no highlight and no
     /// edge. Sits a flat surface next to glossy ones without looking unlit.
     Matte,
+    /// A volume rather than a varnished plane: the shading is derived from
+    /// the **silhouette itself**, so a five-branch star gets light on each
+    /// branch instead of one band across its bounding box. Tuned by `bevel`
+    /// and `softness`, which the other three presets ignore.
+    Inflated,
 }
 
 fn default_material_intensity() -> f32 {
     1.0
 }
 
+fn default_material_bevel() -> f32 {
+    18.0
+}
+
+fn default_material_softness() -> f32 {
+    0.6
+}
+
 impl Material {
     pub fn preset(&self) -> MaterialPreset {
         match self {
@@ -1387,6 +1410,20 @@ impl Material {
             Material::Tuned { intensity, .. } => *intensity,
         }
     }
+
+    pub fn bevel(&self) -> f32 {
+        match self {
+            Material::Preset(_) => default_material_bevel(),
+            Material::Tuned { bevel, .. } => *bevel,
+        }
+    }
+
+    pub fn softness(&self) -> f32 {
+        match self {
+            Material::Preset(_) => default_material_softness(),
+            Material::Tuned { softness, .. } => *softness,
+        }
+    }
 }
 
 #[derive(Debug, Clone, PartialEq, Serialize, Deserialize, JsonSchema)]
diff --git a/crates/rustmotion-core/src/engine/paint_pass.rs b/crates/rustmotion-core/src/engine/paint_pass.rs
index 2a0048f..fd5dfc6 100644
--- a/crates/rustmotion-core/src/engine/paint_pass.rs
+++ b/crates/rustmotion-core/src/engine/paint_pass.rs
@@ -1491,7 +1491,119 @@ fn material_recipe(preset: MaterialPreset) -> MaterialRecipe {
             edge_alpha: 0.0,
             shade_alpha: 0.22,
         },
+        MaterialPreset::Inflated => MaterialRecipe {
+            highlight_alpha: 0.0,
+            highlight_spread: 0.0,
+            edge_alpha: 0.0,
+            shade_alpha: 0.0,
+        },
+    }
+}
+
+fn silhouette_alpha_field(
+    path: &skia_safe::Path,
+    layout: &BoxLayout,
+    bevel: f32,
+) -> Option<(Vec<f32>, usize, usize)> {
+    let width = layout.width.ceil() as i32;
+    let height = layout.height.ceil() as i32;
+    if width <= 0 || height <= 0 {
+        return None;
+    }
+
+    let info = skia_safe::ImageInfo::new(
+        (width, height),
+        skia_safe::ColorType::RGBA8888,
+        skia_safe::AlphaType::Premul,
+        None,
+    );
+    let mut surface = skia_safe::surfaces::raster(&info, None, None)?;
+    let canvas = surface.canvas();
+    canvas.clear(Color4f::new(0.0, 0.0, 0.0, 0.0));
+    canvas.translate((-layout.x, -layout.y));
+
+    let mut paint = Paint::default();
+    paint.set_anti_alias(true);
+    paint.set_color(SColor::from_argb(255, 255, 255, 255));
+    paint.set_image_filter(skia_safe::image_filters::blur(
+        (bevel.max(1.0) / 2.0, bevel.max(1.0) / 2.0),
+        skia_safe::TileMode::Decal,
+        None,
+        None,
+    )?);
+    canvas.draw_path(path, &paint);
+
+    let mut buf = vec![0u8; (width * height * 4) as usize];
+    surface.read_pixels(&info, &mut buf, (width * 4) as usize, (0, 0));
+
+    let field = buf
+        .as_chunks::<4>()
+        .0
+        .iter()
+        .map(|px| px[3] as f32 / 255.0)
+        .collect();
+    Some((field, width as usize, height as usize))
+}
+
+fn paint_inflated_material(
+    canvas: &Canvas,
+    layout: &BoxLayout,
+    silhouette: &skia_safe::Path,
+    light: &LightDirection,
+    strength: f32,
+    bevel: f32,
+    softness: f32,
+) {
+    let Some((field, width, height)) = silhouette_alpha_field(silhouette, layout, bevel) else {
+        return;
+    };
+    let (lx, ly) = light.normalized();
+    let curvature = 1.0 + softness.clamp(0.0, 1.0) * 3.0;
+
+    let reach = ((bevel.max(1.0) * 0.25) as usize).clamp(1, 12);
+    let relief = 6.0 / reach as f32;
+
+    let mut lit = vec![0u8; width * height * 4];
+    for y in 0..height {
+        for x in 0..width {
+            let at = |ix: usize, iy: usize| field[iy * width + ix];
+            let left = at(x.saturating_sub(reach), y);
+            let right = at((x + reach).min(width - 1), y);
+            let up = at(x, y.saturating_sub(reach));
+            let down = at(x, (y + reach).min(height - 1));
+
+            let slope_x = (right - left) * relief;
+            let slope_y = (down - up) * relief;
+            let lambert = (-(slope_x * lx + slope_y * ly)).clamp(-1.0, 1.0);
+            let shaped = lambert.abs().powf(1.0 / curvature) * lambert.signum();
+            let amount = (shaped * strength).clamp(-1.0, 1.0);
+
+            let index = (y * width + x) * 4;
+            let coverage = field[y * width + x];
+            let alpha = (amount.abs() * coverage * 255.0) as u8;
+            let tone = if amount >= 0.0 {
+                (light.color.r(), light.color.g(), light.color.b())
+            } else {
+                (0, 0, 0)
+            };
+            lit[index] = (tone.0 as f32 * alpha as f32 / 255.0) as u8;
+            lit[index + 1] = (tone.1 as f32 * alpha as f32 / 255.0) as u8;
+            lit[index + 2] = (tone.2 as f32 * alpha as f32 / 255.0) as u8;
+            lit[index + 3] = alpha;
+        }
     }
+
+    let info = skia_safe::ImageInfo::new(
+        (width as i32, height as i32),
+        skia_safe::ColorType::RGBA8888,
+        skia_safe::AlphaType::Premul,
+        None,
+    );
+    let data = skia_safe::Data::new_copy(&lit);
+    let Some(image) = skia_safe::images::raster_from_data(&info, data, width * 4) else {
+        return;
+    };
+    canvas.draw_image(&image, (layout.x, layout.y), None);
 }
 
 fn paint_material(
@@ -1517,15 +1629,34 @@ fn paint_material(
     let rrect = padding_rrect(layout, radius);
     let rect = *rrect.rect();
 
-    canvas.save();
-    match css
+    let silhouette = css
         .clip_path
         .as_ref()
         .and_then(|c| clip_path_to_skia(c, layout, ctx))
-    {
-        Some(path) => canvas.clip_path(&path, ClipOp::Intersect, true),
-        None => canvas.clip_rrect(rrect, ClipOp::Intersect, true),
-    };
+        .unwrap_or_else(|| {
+            let mut builder = PathBuilder::new();
+            builder.add_rrect(rrect, None, None);
+            builder.detach()
+        });
+
+    if material.preset() == MaterialPreset::Inflated {
+        canvas.save();
+        canvas.clip_path(&silhouette, ClipOp::Intersect, true);
+        paint_inflated_material(
+            canvas,
+            layout,
+            &silhouette,
+            light,
+            strength,
+            material.bevel(),
+            material.softness(),
+        );
+        canvas.restore();
+        return;
+    }
+
+    canvas.save();
+    canvas.clip_path(&silhouette, ClipOp::Intersect, true);
 
     let tint = light.color;
     let half_diagonal = (rect.width().powi(2) + rect.height().powi(2)).sqrt() / 2.0;
@@ -3628,6 +3759,123 @@ mod paint_order_tests {
         0.299 * buf[i] as f32 + 0.587 * buf[i + 1] as f32 + 0.114 * buf[i + 2] as f32
     }
 
+    fn star_points() -> Vec<(CLP, CLP)> {
+        (0..10)
+            .map(|i| {
+                let r = if i % 2 == 0 { 90.0f32 } else { 38.0 };
+                let a = -std::f32::consts::FRAC_PI_2 + i as f32 * std::f32::consts::PI / 5.0;
+                (CLP::Px(100.0 + r * a.cos()), CLP::Px(100.0 + r * a.sin()))
+            })
+            .collect()
+    }
+
+    fn star_tile(material: Material) -> BoxNode {
+        BoxNode {
+            id: 0,
+            kind: BoxKind::Container,
+            css: CssStyle {
+                position: Some(Position::Absolute),
+                left: Some(CLP::Px(0.0)),
+                top: Some(CLP::Px(0.0)),
+                width: Some(CSize::Length(CLP::Px(200.0))),
+                height: Some(CSize::Length(CLP::Px(200.0))),
+                background: Some(Background::Color(CssColor::String("#7C3AED".into()))),
+                clip_path: Some(ClipPath::Polygon {
+                    points: star_points(),
+                }),
+                material: Some(material),
+                ..Default::default()
+            },
+            children: vec![],
+            intrinsic: None,
+            source_path: None,
+            window: None,
+        }
+    }
+
+    /// Bright runs along one scanline: one per lit branch if the shading
+    /// follows the silhouette, one for the whole box if it does not.
+    fn bright_runs(buf: &[u8], y: usize) -> usize {
+        let mut runs = 0;
+        let mut inside = false;
+        for x in 0..400 {
+            let i = (y * 400 + x) * 4;
+            let luma =
+                0.299 * buf[i] as f32 + 0.587 * buf[i + 1] as f32 + 0.114 * buf[i + 2] as f32;
+            let bright = luma > 150.0;
+            if bright && !inside {
+                runs += 1;
+            }
+            inside = bright;
+        }
+        runs
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn inflated_lights_each_branch_where_glossy_lights_the_whole_box() {
+        let glossy = render_lit(star_tile(Material::Preset(MaterialPreset::Glossy)), None);
+        let inflated = render_lit(
+            star_tile(Material::Tuned {
+                preset: MaterialPreset::Inflated,
+                intensity: 1.0,
+                bevel: 10.0,
+                softness: 0.2,
+            }),
+            None,
+        );
+
+        let scanline = 78;
+        let glossy_runs = bright_runs(&glossy, scanline);
+        let inflated_runs = bright_runs(&inflated, scanline);
+        assert!(
+            inflated_runs > glossy_runs,
+            "across a row cutting two branches, an inflated star must show more separate \
+             bright runs than a glossy one, which lights the bounding box as a single band: \
+             glossy={glossy_runs}, inflated={inflated_runs}"
+        );
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn inflated_paints_nothing_outside_the_silhouette() {
+        let buf = render_lit(
+            star_tile(Material::Tuned {
+                preset: MaterialPreset::Inflated,
+                intensity: 1.0,
+                bevel: 14.0,
+                softness: 0.5,
+            }),
+            None,
+        );
+        let corner = luma_at(&buf, 6, 6);
+        assert_eq!(
+            corner, 0.0,
+            "the shading is derived from the silhouette and clipped to it — a star's \
+             bounding-box corner must stay background"
+        );
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn inflated_at_zero_intensity_is_the_bare_shape() {
+        let flat = render_lit(
+            star_tile(Material::Tuned {
+                preset: MaterialPreset::Inflated,
+                intensity: 0.0,
+                bevel: 14.0,
+                softness: 0.5,
+            }),
+            None,
+        );
+        let none = {
+            let mut node = star_tile(Material::Preset(MaterialPreset::Matte));
+            node.css.material = None;
+            render_lit(node, None)
+        };
+        assert_eq!(
+            flat, none,
+            "intensity 0 must be byte-identical to declaring no material at all"
+        );
+    }
+
     #[test]
     fn a_node_without_a_material_is_untouched() {
         let plain = render_lit(material_tile(None), None);
@@ -3635,6 +3883,8 @@ mod paint_order_tests {
             material_tile(Some(Material::Tuned {
                 preset: MaterialPreset::Glossy,
                 intensity: 0.0,
+                bevel: 18.0,
+                softness: 0.6,
             })),
             None,
         );
diff --git a/crates/rustmotion/skills/SKILL.md b/crates/rustmotion/skills/SKILL.md
index 36784c5..b24eb95 100644
--- a/crates/rustmotion/skills/SKILL.md
+++ b/crates/rustmotion/skills/SKILL.md
@@ -236,6 +236,7 @@ Read individual rule files for detailed explanations, GOOD/BAD examples, and con
 - [rules/halo-shapes.md](rules/halo-shapes.md) - `halo` beyond circles: `radius_x`/`radius_y`/`rotation` for a wide thin band of light, and why the blur follows the short axis
 - [rules/zoom-blur-transition.md](rules/zoom-blur-transition.md) - The radial "tunnel" cut: `zoom_blur`'s `strength`/`origin`, why it had to be a transition and not an effect, and the pivot-coincident-edge trap
 - [rules/chromatic-aberration.md](rules/chromatic-aberration.md) - Per-element red/cyan fringe on arrival: `chromatic_aberration`'s `amount`, how its curve differs from `chromatic_wipe`'s, and the `amount`-not-`amplitude` trap
+- [rules/inflated-material.md](rules/inflated-material.md) - `material: "inflated"`: shading derived from the clipped silhouette, so each branch of a star gets its own relief — and why `bevel` must stay small relative to the shape
 - [rules/material-and-light.md](rules/material-and-light.md) - Lit surfaces: `style.material`'s three presets, the scene-wide `light` that makes them agree, and why the material follows the box and not a `shape`'s own geometry
 - [rules/depth-of-field.md](rules/depth-of-field.md) - Defocus by plane: `camera.focus`/`aperture` on the `style.depth` scale, rack focus by keyframe, and why nothing moves without distinct depths
 - [rules/text-component-parity.md](rules/text-component-parity.md) - Where `text`, `rich_text` and `gradient_text` disagreed: colour alpha, literal whitespace and baseline, the CSS angle convention and explicit `stops`
diff --git a/crates/rustmotion/skills/rules/inflated-material.md b/crates/rustmotion/skills/rules/inflated-material.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..992293c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/crates/rustmotion/skills/rules/inflated-material.md
@@ -0,0 +1,52 @@
+# `material: "inflated"` : un volume, pas un vernis
+
+Les trois presets de [material-and-light.md](material-and-light.md) calculent leur
+reflet sur la **boîte** du nœud, puis le clippent. Sur une étoile découpée dans un
+rectangle, ça donne une seule bande de lumière en travers de la boîte — pas un
+relief par branche. L'objet reste une surface plate vernie.
+
+`inflated` calcule l'ombrage à partir de la **silhouette elle-même**.
+
+```json
+"style": {
+  "clip-path": { "kind": "polygon", "points": [ … une étoile … ] },
+  "material": { "preset": "inflated", "bevel": 24, "softness": 0.6 }
+}
+```
+
+| Champ | Défaut | Rôle |
+|---|---|---|
+| `bevel` | `18` | distance en pixels sur laquelle le bord s'arrondit vers l'intérieur |
+| `softness` | `0.6` | profil du bord, 0..1 — près de 0 un chanfrein net, près de 1 un coussin |
+
+`intensity` et la `light` de la scène agissent comme pour les autres presets :
+`intensity: 0` rend exactement la forme nue.
+
+## Comment ça marche, parce que ça décide des réglages
+
+La silhouette est rastérisée puis floutée ; le **dégradé du masque flouté est la
+normale de surface**. On l'éclaire avec la direction de `scene.light`. Chaque
+branche a son propre bord, donc chacune reçoit sa propre lumière et son propre
+creux.
+
+Conséquence directe : `bevel` est à la fois la largeur du flou **et** l'échelle à
+laquelle la pente est mesurée. Un grand `bevel` sur une petite forme aplatit tout
+— le flou noie la silhouette avant d'avoir pu en tirer une normale. Compte un
+`bevel` d'au plus un quart de la plus petite dimension de la forme.
+
+## Trois choses à savoir
+
+**Ça coûte des pixels.** Contrairement aux autres presets, qui sont trois
+dégradés Skia, celui-ci rastérise, floute et parcourt le masque à chaque frame.
+Sur un nœud plein écran, ça se sent. C'est fait pour des étoiles, des pastilles et
+des icônes, pas pour un fond.
+
+**Il ignore `highlight` et `edge`.** Il n'a ni reflet spéculaire ni arête : sa
+lumière vient entièrement de la géométrie. Le poser à côté d'un `glossy` mélange
+deux modèles d'éclairage — ça peut être voulu, mais ce n'est pas une variante de
+réglage.
+
+**Donne la silhouette à la boîte.** Comme pour les autres presets, c'est
+`clip-path` ou `border-radius` qui définit la forme, jamais la géométrie d'un
+composant `shape`, que le pass de peinture ne voit pas. Sans `clip-path`, une
+boîte carrée donne un bourrelet sur ses quatre bords — correct, mais sans intérêt.