Texture Mapping

Texture mapping is a fundamental technique in computer graphics used to add detail, realism, and variety to the surfaces of 3D models. Instead of relying solely on solid colors or procedurally generated patterns, texture mapping applies 2D images (textures) to the surfaces of 3D objects, much like applying wallpaper to a wall.

The Concept

The core idea is to define a mapping from points on the 3D surface of a model to corresponding points on a 2D texture image. This mapping is typically achieved using UV coordinates, where U and V represent the horizontal and vertical axes of the texture, respectively. Each vertex of a 3D model is assigned a UV coordinate, and the graphics hardware interpolates these coordinates across the surface of the polygons (usually triangles) that make up the model.