---
title: "mapping-baked (en)"
description: "Step-by-step guide to baking a texture map in Blender — from GPU setup to linking the baked texture to the material."
url: "https://aaronchan.com/kb/mapping-baked/"
updated: "2026-09-16"
category: "3D-Blender (en)"
---

# mapping-baked (en)

Step-by-step recipe for baking a texture map in Blender — from enabling GPU rendering to linking the baked image back to the material.

## 1. Enable GPU rendering

Preferences → System → CUDA → tick both boxes below.

![Step 1 - CUDA preferences](https://aaronchan.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/img_1.png)

---

## 2. Switch to Cycles GPU rendering

Right-side bar → Render panel (camera icon) → Render Engine → Cycles; Device → GPU Compute.

![Step 2 - Render engine GPU](https://aaronchan.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/img_2.png)

---

## 3. Add a plane and a new material

Shift-A → Mesh → Plane. Select the plane → left-side bar → New material.

![Step 3 - Add plane](https://aaronchan.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/img_3.png)

![Step 3 - New material](https://aaronchan.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/img_4.png)

---

## 4. Open the Shading workspace

Top bar → Shading.

---

## 5. Add an Image Texture node

Shader editor → right-click → Add → Texture → Image Texture. Add “Image Texture” → New / Open image.

![Step 5 - Add Image Texture](https://aaronchan.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/img_5.png)

![Step 5 - New image](https://aaronchan.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/img_6.png)

---

## 6. Bake

Select the plane → right-side bar → Render panel (camera icon) → Bake.

![Step 6 - Bake](https://aaronchan.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/img_7.png)

---

## 7. Link the baked texture to Base Color

(After the baked image is done) → link the texture color to the Base Color dot.

![Step 7 - Link base color](https://aaronchan.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/img_8.png)

---

YouTube video :

[How To Bake Texture Maps | Blender 3.5 Beginners Tutorial](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zFLxWRfs4Ak)

YouTube video :

[Adding Decals And Logos To 3D Objects In Blender](https://www.youtube.com/shorts/1Wowufuyhlg)