Custom Texture question

[Q]

Everyones tuturials say you need to make a shader file, or script for your custom texture, but ive been able to add them to my map without it. All ive done is clicked the "show non-shader texture" button. I believe it was in preferences. So i dont understand. Why does all these tutorials say you need a shader file?

[jv_map]

Otherwise you won't see bullet impact effects when you shoot at the texture.

[General Death]

You dont "need" one but you will want one for the reason jv stated. Helps with realism issues in a map.