Texturing & materials · Beginner

Texture mapping

Wrapping a flat image onto a 3D surface to give it color and detail

What is texture mapping?

Texture mapping is the technique of wrapping a 2D image onto a 3D surface, so each point on the model takes its color or detail from a matching spot in the image. It lets a simple shape look like wood, brick or skin without modeling every grain or crack.

Think of it like this

It is like covering a gift box with printed wrapping paper: the box gives the shape, and the paper gives the look.

Where it fits in a 3D project

  1. Create
  2. Surface
  3. Rig
  4. Animate
  5. Render
  6. Export

Surface: Giving the shape its color and material: UVs, textures and shaders.

3D modelUnwrapFlat UV layoutSame face
Unwrapping lays each face of the model flat, so a 2D texture can wrap back on.

How texture mapping works

  1. 01Each point on the model gets a coordinate that points to a spot in the image.
  2. 02While rendering, the software looks up the image color at that spot.
  3. 03The image is filtered so it stays smooth when seen up close or far away.

Texture mapping vs UV mapping

PropertyTexture mappingUV mapping
What it isApplying an image to a surfaceMaking the flat layout the image follows
When it happensAt render time, every frameOnce, while preparing the model
MethodsUVs, projection, triplanar and moreOne method of texture mapping

UV mapping is the prep work and texture mapping is the result; UVs are simply its most common method.

Where texture mapping is used

  • Adding color and detail to game and film models
  • Putting labels and artwork on product renders
  • Covering terrain and walls with repeating materials

Beginner tip

If a texture looks blurry, compare its resolution with how close the camera gets. A small image stretched over a large, nearby surface will always look soft.

Terms related to texture mapping

Texture mapping FAQ

What are the types of texture mapping?
The main ones are UV mapping, which uses a hand-made flat layout, and projection methods such as planar, box, cylindrical, spherical and triplanar mapping, which cast the image onto the surface from outside. UV mapping gives the most control.
What is texture mapping in computer graphics used for?
Adding surface detail cheaply. Instead of modeling every brick, a flat wall gets a brick image. Graphics cards are built to do this very fast, which is why games can show detailed worlds in real time.
Does texture mapping change the shape of a model?
Usually not. Color and roughness maps only change the look. Displacement maps are the exception: they use a texture to actually move the surface.

Updated October 29, 2026 · Browse all 3D terms