# Shader Graph Asset reference

A Shader Graph asset is a file that contains a graph you create and edit in the [**Shader Graph** window](Shader-Graph-Window.md). It is also a shader that you can select from a material's shader dropdown, as any other shader.

To access the properties of a Shader Graph asset in the **Inspector** window, select the asset in your project.

## Action buttons

Manage Shader Graph assets code.

| Property                  | Description                                                                                                                                                                  |
|---------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| **Open Shader Editor**    | Opens the selected asset in the [Shader Graph window](Shader-Graph-Window.md) so you can edit the graph. |
| **View Generated Shader** | Opens the shader code that the shader graph generates in a text editor or an IDE, such as Visual Studio. The code includes all possible passes and targets.                  |
| **Regenerate**            | Updates the code you edited in your text editor or IDE. This button appears only when you select **View Generated Shader**.                                                 |
| **Copy Shader**           | Copies the shader code to the clipboard.                                                                                                                                     |

## Properties

Manage Shader Graph assets templates.

| Property                  | Description                                                                                                                                                                  |
|---------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| **Use As Template**       | Marks the selected Shader Graph asset as a template. When enabled, the asset appears in the [Shader Graph template browser](template-browser.md), but is no longer listed in any material's **Shader** dropdown by default. |
| **Expose As Shader**      | Keeps the asset listed in a material's **Shader** dropdown so you can still use it as a shader when you also use it as a template. This is available only when **Use As Template** is enabled. |
| **Name**                  | Sets the name of the template in the Shader Graph template browser.                                                                                                            |
| **Category**              | Sets the category of the template in the Shader Graph template browser.                                                                                                      |
| **Description**           | Sets the description of the template in the Shader Graph template browser.                                                                                                     |
| **Icon**                  | Sets the icon that represents the template in the Shader Graph template browser.                                                                                               |
| **Thumbnail**             | Sets the image that represents the template in the Shader Graph template browser.                                                                                              |

## Additional resources

* [Creating a new shader graph asset](Create-Shader-Graph.md)
* [Shader Graph Window](Shader-Graph-Window.md)
* [Shader Graph template browser](template-browser.md)