Katana Tip 005: Importing Textures & Assigning Shaders | Arnold (KtoA)
In this video, I walk through how to import texture files in Katana and connect them into a main shader using Arnold (KtoA). We’ll go step by step, from setting up a basic shader network to assigning it to your model, so you can start shading right away.
Along the way, I cover:
Using the NetworkMaterialCreate interface to build your shader.
Importing textures and wiring them into the shading network.
Assigning materials to geometry with the MaterialAssign node.
Promoting shader parameters for easier control.
Using the Material Soloing tool to isolate and debug your materials.
A quick look at live rendering and toggling between different camera angles to evaluate your work.
Why proper texture setup is essential for clean look development.
By the end of this tutorial, you’ll have a working shader connected to your asset, with textures driving its look and parameters exposed for flexibility.
This video is part of my Katana tip series, where I share focused, production-ready workflows for look development, shading, and lighting. If you’re using Arnold (KtoA) for rendering, this will help you build a solid texturing and shading foundation.
Subscribe for more tutorials on Katana, Mari, and Nuke covering workflows used in film and animation production.