# Documentation

## Installation

1. Download the Texture AI Upscaler ZIP file.

2. In Blender, open Edit > Preferences.

3. Install the ZIP file from Add-ons or Get Extensions.

4. Enable Texture AI Upscaler.

5. Open the add-on preferences.

6. Click Download / Install Backend.

7. Wait until the backend status shows Installed.

The backend installer downloads Real-ESRGAN-ncnn-vulkan and the default model files after user confirmation.

## Basic Workflow

1. Open a material in the Shader Editor.

2. Add Texture > AI Upscaler.

3. Connect an Image Texture color output to the AI Upscaler Color input.

4. Choose a model.

5. Set the scale value.

6. Click Bake.

7. Use Update after changing the source image or node settings.

The node passes the original color through until a generated result is available. After baking, the generated texture is cached and used by the material.

## Model Presets

RealESRGAN x4plus is recommended for general textures, photos, scanned images, and most material sources.

RealESRGAN x4plus Anime is recommended for stylized textures, illustrated images, sharp linework, and anime-like sources.

## Cache Location

Generated images are cached beside the saved .blend file by default.

If the .blend file has not been saved yet, Blender uses a temporary cache location.

You can choose a custom cache folder in the add-on preferences.

## Hardware Notes

Texture AI Upscaler uses Real-ESRGAN-ncnn-vulkan.

This means it is not limited to CUDA-only NVIDIA workflows. It can run on Vulkan-capable NVIDIA, AMD Radeon, and Intel Arc GPUs.

Vulkan-capable hardware and current GPU drivers are required.

## Troubleshooting

If the backend is not installed, open the add-on preferences and click Download / Install Backend.

If Blender says online access is disabled, enable online access in Blender preferences before downloading the backend.

If baking fails, try a smaller source image first and confirm that the source image is saved or available as a Blender image datablock.

If a very large texture takes a long time, reduce the scale value or test with a smaller texture before processing final assets.

If the output does not update after changing settings, click Update on the AI Upscaler node.