texturemapien

Texture mapping is a technique used in computer graphics to add detail, surface texture, or color to a computer-generated geometric model. This is achieved by applying a texture, which is typically an image, to the surface of the model. The texture image acts as a kind of "skin" that wraps around the 3D object.

The process involves defining how the 2D texture image is projected or "mapped" onto the 3D surface. This is usually done using texture coordinates, often referred to as UV coordinates. Each vertex of the 3D model is assigned a pair of UV coordinates, which correspond to a specific point on the 2D texture image. When the model is rendered, the graphics hardware interpolates these UV coordinates across the surface of the polygons, sampling the texture image at the appropriate locations to determine the color of each pixel on the screen.

Textures can represent a wide variety of visual information, such as wood grain, brick patterns, fabric weaves, or even complex painted details. Beyond simple color, texture mapping can also be used to influence other surface properties, such as reflectivity, bumpiness (simulating surface irregularities without adding actual geometry), or transparency. This allows for the creation of highly realistic and visually rich 3D environments and objects without requiring extremely complex geometric models.