tekstuuritäitmise

Tekstuuritäitmine, known in English as texture mapping, is a technique used in computer graphics to add detail, realism, or surface patterns to three-dimensional models. Instead of creating complex geometry for every small surface feature, a two-dimensional image, called a texture map, is applied or "wrapped" onto the surface of the 3D model. This texture map can depict anything from the roughness of stone and the weave of fabric to intricate painted designs or even photographic imagery.

The process involves defining how the texture map is projected onto the 3D object's surface. This is typically achieved through UV mapping, where coordinates from the 2D texture image are assigned to vertices on the 3D model. When the model is rendered, the graphics hardware samples the texture map at points corresponding to the surface and applies the color or pattern information. This significantly reduces the computational cost and memory required to represent detailed surfaces compared to purely geometric modeling.

Tekstuuritäitmine is fundamental to modern 3D graphics, appearing in video games, animated films, architectural visualizations, and product design. It allows for a wide range of visual effects, from subtle surface imperfections that enhance realism to bold, stylized patterns that define an artistic aesthetic. Different types of texture maps exist, including color maps (diffuse maps), bump maps (for simulating surface relief), specular maps (for controlling shininess), and normal maps (for more advanced surface detail simulation).