I am struggling to figure out how to do this in houdini.. I have created a texture map file which is a basic .jpg image of a gradient (for example it goes from dark blue to grey), I then want to put an overlay material over it that is a reflective material so I can end up with the gradient being reflective.

I have tried using a vex layered surface but I think with this there is no way to create the full reflective material like the standard reflective material, also I have tried attaching the two materials within the object SOP to the object but it seems there is no way to specify opacity or a way to blend the two together… I would appreciate any advice on the proper approach to this.

Sorry I'm not sure I understand. Is there any reason you can't use the “Reflective” shader in the material palette? It supports texture maps.

Oh I didn't realize that… that definitely sounds like it'd work, guess I just figured for some reason I had to do this with a layered material of some sort.