When you open the Shading Elements folder in the Asset browser, you have different types of textures from which to choose. The type of texture you choose depends on its purpose in the scene.
There is one category of textures you add to materials, and another category that you apply directly to the model for use with shaders. Additionally, in each category you have the option of creating a Layered texture or a standard single-layered texture.
Use a Texture asset or a Layered Texture asset to attach images or videos to a material. These assets are available in the Asset browser when you select the Shading Elements folder.
A Texture asset lets you add an individual image or video to a material. Its most common purpose is to add detail and color to a material. See Adding a texture to a material.
A Layered Texture asset lets you blend multiple images and videos, then add them to a material as if they were a single media. See Blending multiple textures.
See also About materials.
Some shaders require a Global Lighting-Based texture in order to work. These types of textures are available in the Asset browser when you open Shading Elements > Global Lighting-Based Textures.
Each type of Global Lighting-Base texture is available as a standard single-layered texture or as a Layered texture. A Layered texture lets you blend multiple images and videos, then apply them to a model as if they were a single media. See Blending multiple textures.
Global Lighting-Based textures must be applied directly to a model and used with the appropriate shader, as described in the following table:
| Type | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Light Map | Use with a Shadow Map shader, when the shader is set to the Light Map type in the shader settings. See Shadows and lighting effects. |
| Layered Light Map | Same as the Light Map texture, but also lets you blend multiple images or videos, then apply them to the model as if they were a single media. See Blending multiple textures. |
| Shadow Map | Use with a Shadow Map shader, when the shader is set to Shadow Map type. See Shadows and lighting effects. |
| Layered Shadow Map | Same as the Shadow Map texture, but also lets you blend multiple images or videos, then apply them to the model as if they were a single media. See Blending multiple textures. |
| Spherical Reflection Map | Use with a Reflection shader, when the shader is set to Spherical Map type. See Reflection effects. |
| Layered Spherical Reflection Map | Same as the Spherical Reflection Map texture, but also lets you blend multiple images or videos, then apply them to the model as if they were a single media. See Blending multiple textures. |
| Sphere Map | Use with a Reflection shader, when the shader is set to Sphere Map type. See Reflection effects. |
| Layered Sphere Map | Same as the Sphere Map texture, but also lets you blend multiple images or videos, then apply them to the model as if they were a single media. See Blending multiple textures. |