Loading Textures
To add a texture in Cycles, under the Diffuse BSDF shader, for example, go to its properties and click the button to the right with the little circle to get a list of options. In that list, pick Image Texture and Blender will display the options to load and control the image.
A new parameter will appear as well: Vector. This parameter is similar to the Mapping Coordinates in Blender Render: if your object has UVs, it will pick them by default, but if you want to make sure your texture is projected correctly, you can select the option Texture Coordinate | UV from the Vector list.
Note
You won’t have to use the Node Editor to create materials in Cycles right now, except for a couple of very minor adjustments. The materials you’re going to create for Jim are pretty basic. Later on, in Chapter 14, you’ll learn how to use the Node Editor. After that, you’ll understand the basics of how nodes work and you’ll know how to use them to create materials. Nodes are important, as you’ll have more control over Cycles materials when you work with them from the Node Editor.