# 3D textures

> Resources for creating and using a bitmap image that contains information in three dimensions, for example to create volumetric effects, 3D meshes, or animated textures.

Resources for creating and using a bitmap image that contains information in three dimensions, for example to create volumetric effects, 3D meshes, or animated textures.

| Page                                                                                                                     | Description                                                                                                                  |
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| [Introduction to 3D textures](/engine/6000.0/manual/materials-and-shaders/textures/class-texture3d/introduction.md)      | Learn how 3D textures are used to simulate volumetric effects, approximate a volumetric 3D mesh, or store animated textures. |
| [Import a 3D texture](/engine/6000.0/manual/materials-and-shaders/textures/class-texture3d/import.md)                    | Import a flipbook texture as a 3D texture.                                                                                   |
| [Preview a 3D texture](/engine/6000.0/manual/materials-and-shaders/textures/class-texture3d/preview.md)                  | View an imported 3D texture as a cube, slices, or a signed distance field (SDF).                                             |
| [Create a 3D texture in a script](/engine/6000.0/manual/materials-and-shaders/textures/class-texture3d/create.md)        | Use the `Texture3D` API to create or edit a 3D texture in a script.                                                          |
| [Sample a 3D texture in a shader](/engine/6000.0/manual/materials-and-shaders/textures/class-texture3d/use-in-shader.md) | Sample an imported 3D texture in a shader, and use it to create a volumetric effect.                                         |

## Additional resources

* [3D texture Import Settings window reference](/engine/6000.0/manual/materials-and-shaders/textures/textures-reference/class-texture3d-reference.md)
* [3D texture preview reference](/engine/6000.0/manual/materials-and-shaders/textures/textures-reference/class-texture3d-reference.md)