UV mapping is a method of projecting (wrapping) an image onto a 3D object.

U and V indicate the axes of the image they are used in lieu of X Y Z to avoid confusion, since X Y, and Z are used to designate the axes of the 3D object. Color from the image is mapped to the polygons that compose the surface to the 3D object. In essence the process designates the where each area of the image is to appear on the 3D object.

When a 3D object is rendered a mesh of that object is passed to the rendering engine. For surfaces, the surface mesh itself is passed directly to the rendering engine. For solids, a mesh version of the solid is generated then passed to the rendering engine.

Multiple images can be used where each image is mapped to discrete areas of the mesh.

UV Mapping requires the following primary steps:

Creating and inserting the image to be mapped
Creating a UV Material
Associating the image with the 3D object
Unwrapping the mesh
Refining the image

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