This chapter demonstrates methods of UV Mapping and emphasizes the importance of becoming fluent in the process of preparing a model for texturing, a stage which bridges modeling and texture painting while calling on somewhat different skills. The challenge is simply to put a 3D surface onto a 2D image plane. 3ds Max's mapping tool set ensures the user is well-armed to meet the challenge.
The following topics are covered in the chapter:
The goal of UV mapping
Gaining familiarity with the UV editor
Combining texture islands to save draw calls
Just getting on with it
Additional UV layout tools
Soft Selection
Setting UVW editor hotkeys
Aligning points
A handy script for fixing up UVs
Mirror and Flip commands
Packing the layout
Finalizing the layout
Making a Photoshop texture template
Send to Mudbox
2D View in Viewport Canvas