# init(texture:) Creates an object from an image texture. ``` init(texture: CustomMaterial.Texture? = nil) ``` ## Parameters `texture` A UV-mapped image texture that defines the entity’s exposure to ambient light. ## Discussion Ambient occlusion represents the entity’s exposure to ambient light. This function creates a new ambient occlusion object from a UV-mapped image texture. Specify ambient occlusion by using a UV-mapped image called an *ambient occlusion map*. A value of black (`0.0`) represents parts of the model that receive less ambient light because that part of the model is a crevice, dent, or recessed area, or because another part of the same entity is preventing ambient light from reaching it. Ambient occlusion values of white (`1.0`) represent flat portions of the model that receive full ambient light. You generate ambient occlusion maps by using a 3D software package. The ambient occlusion texture is available in the material’s surface shader, but RealityKit doesn’t render ambient occlusion unless the surface shader calls `params.surface().set_ambient_occlusion()`. The following Metal code shows how to use the ambient occlusion texture in a surface shader function: ```swift // Retrieve the entity's texture coordinates. float2 uv = params.geometry().uv0(); // Entities loaded from USDZ or .reality files have texture coordinates // with a flipped y-axis. This adjusts for that. uv.y = 1.0 - uv.y; // Sample the ambient occlusion texture and use it to set the // ambient occlusion value to use during rendering. auto tex = params.textures(); half metallic = tex.ambient_occlusion().sample(textureSampler, uv).r; params.surface().set_ambient_occlusion(metallic); ``` --- Copyright © 2026 Apple Inc. All rights reserved. | [Terms of Use](https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/terms/site.html) | [Privacy Policy](https://www.apple.com/privacy/privacy-policy)