2010

Table Of Contents
to a flat 2D view that can be subsequently correlated to your texture map
using the UV Texture Editor.
In this lesson, you use a feature called Automatic Mapping to create new UVs
for the cracker box model. Automatic mapping lets you specify the number
of planes that will be used for the UV projection.
Automatic Mapping is normally used when mapping UVs that require multiple
projections of organic shaped models as it has the advantage of producing
UVs that are proportional in scale to the world space area of the mesh faces
of the surface.
Automatic mapping is useful when your mapping requirements are for
non-overlapping UVs which fit within the 0 to 1 texture space, but which do
not have to be contiguous; for example, when using the 3D Paint tool, Maya
®
Paint Effects
TM
, Maya
®
Fur
TM
or Maya
®
Hair
TM
.
You use Automatic Mapping in this lesson because it can produce a UV
projection from three planar directions simultaneously which makes it a good
choice for the shape of the cracker box model. That is, you can map UVs for
the front and back, top and bottom and the two sides in one operation. This
projection type is referred to as a triplanar projection.
To map UVs using Automatic Mapping
1 In the perspective view, select the cracker box as an Object.
2 From the Polygons menu set, select Create UVs > Automatic Mapping >
.
The Automatic Mapping Options window appears.
3 In the Automatic Mapping Options window, select Edit > Reset settings,
set the following options, and then click Project:
Planes: 3
Percentage Space: 2
376 | Chapter 8 Polygon Texturing