---
title: "Bitmap Shader"
url: "https://help.maxon.net/c4d/en-us/Content/html/XBITMAP.html"
section_path: "Material Manager > Classic Materials > Classic material > Channel Shaders > Bitmap Shader"
element_id: "XBITMAP"
description: "Strictly speaking, the Bitmap shader is not a shader because it actually loads an image. For reasons of consistency, it is nevertheless classified as a …"
---

# Bitmap Shader

Strictly speaking, the Bitmap shader is not a shader because it actually loads an image. For reasons of consistency, it is nevertheless classified as a shader. Contrary to real shaders, it does not calculate a texture procedurally but makes a bitmap available to the material. Take a look at the [Textures](https://help.maxon.net/c4d/en-us/Content/html/6291.html.md) section, which offers a great deal of useful information.

At the top of the dialog window you will find four buttons with the following commands:

If you edit an image using an external application, it can be updated in Cinema 4D by clicking on the **Reload Image** button. Clicking on **Edit Image** will open the image in an external image editing application, as defined by your operating system. **Locate Image …** opens the image in your operating system's Explorer/Finder

The button **Find Similar (AI)...** activates the AI search (more details can be found [here](https://help.maxon.net/c4d/en-us/Content/html/AI_AB_Search.html.md)) and searches the *Asset Browser* for similar images. Use a double-click to choose one.

> **Tip:** Tip:Using CMYK textures is not recommended because unwanted effects can be generated since these textures will be converted undefined to RGB values.