For beginners baking a Unity assets 3D model, import the model into Unity, select it in the Project window, open the "Bake" section in the Inspector (under Lighting or Mesh), set basic options (texture size 128–512px, bake type like ambient occlusion), then click "Bake."
Baking turns dynamic effects (real-time shadows) into static textures, making models run smoother—critical for game performance.
Use simple low-poly models (e.g., props) and Unity’s default presets to avoid confusion. If bakes are pixelated, increase texture size slightly (e.g., 256px) and preview in the Scene view to refine.