2009

Table Of Contents
You can use illustrations as texture maps to create interesting backdrops
in your scenes.
Most shading attributes for a surface material can be altered by a texture map.
For example, color, specular, transparency, and reflectivity are examples of
attributes that can be modified by a texture map.
Texture mapping is a key component in the 3D production workflow. Many
production environments employ texture artists whose only role is to create
and apply the texture maps to 3D models.
Preparing for the lesson
To ensure the lesson works as described, do these steps before beginning:
1 Select File > New Scene to create a new scene.
2 Make sure the Construction History icon (below the menu bar) is on:
(If it is turned off, it has a large X across it.)
3 If you have not already done so, copy the GettingStarted folder from
its installation location to your projects directory. Then, set the
GettingStarted directory as your Maya project. For more information,
see Copying and setting the Maya project on page 25.
4 Select the Polygons menu set. Unless otherwise noted, the directions in
this chapter for making menu selections assume youve already selected
the Polygons menu set.
5 Make sure Display > UI Elements > Help Line is turned on. You will use
the Help Line while modeling.
6 Ensure that the interactive creation option for primitives is turned off by
selecting Create > Polygon Primitives > Interactive Creation. The option
is off when a check mark does not display beside the items name in the
menu.
7 Make sure that Soft Selection is turned off by opening the Attribute Editor
with the Select Tool active and unchecking the box marked Soft Select.
348 | Chapter 8 Polygon Texturing