Creating UV Maps

The steps for creating UV maps and the different UV unwrapping methods are described here.

Creating UVs for a Polygon Mesh

UV maps are created for the faces of a polygon mesh. A UV map can be made for the whole mesh, or for only the selected faces.

1. Here we will create a UV map for a sample mesh. In ShadeExplorer, under Presets and in the Documentation - Shade3D Manual folder, find UVMappedHelm01.shd and open it.
   
2. Select the polygon mesh.
   
3. Select Make UVs from the UV menu on the left side of the UV View's title bar.
   
4. The UV unwrapping options appear in the Tool Parameters.
   

Tool Parameters

LSCM, Projection, Cylinder, Sphere, and Box Buttons

Select the UV unwrapping method using these buttons.

Projection Pop-up Menu

Available when Projection is selected for the UV unwrapping method. Specifies the face used for the projection.

Rotation Axis Pop-up Menu

Available when Cylinder or Sphere is selected for the UV unwrapping method. Specifies the axis used for the projection.

Center Text Box

Used for all unwrapping methods except LSCM. Unwrapping is done using the specified coordinates as the center. From the top, the values are for X, Y, and Z.

Size Text Box

Used for all unwrapping methods except LSCM. Specifies the size of the UV map. From the top, the values are for X, Y, and Z.

Fit Checkbox

Available when Box is selected for the UV unwrapping method. When selected, UV maps for each of the six faces of the cube are unwrapped so that they fit in the UV View grid.

Live Checkbox

Available when LSCM is selected for the UV unwrapping method. When selected, pinning or unpinning vertices will update the UV mapping in realtime.

Selected Vertices/UVs Group

Available when LSCM is selected for the UV unwrapping method.

Pin Button

Marks the selected vertex as a pin.

Unpin Button

Unpins the selected vertex.

Unwrap Selected Faces Button

Applies UV unwrapping of the selected faces only.

Unwrap All Button

Applies UV unwrapping of all faces, regardless of which ones are selected.

Finish Button

Closes the Tool Parameters and ends UV unwrapping mode.

UV Unwrapping Methods

There are five methods of UV unwrapping, selectable using the buttons at the top of the Tool Parameters: LSCM, Projection, Cylinder, Sphere, and Box.

LSCM Unwrapping

The edges or seams in the polygon mesh are used, resulting in a UV map with little distortion.

See also UV Unwrapping Using LSCM

• Click the LSCM button.
  
• A seam has already been made on the sample mesh.
  
• Click Unwrap All to apply UV unwrapping to all the faces, divided into two pieces along the seam.
  
• The size and position of the pieces can be adjusted using the editing tools.
  

Projection Unwrapping

UV unwrapping is done using an orthographic projection of the specified plane.

Projection Pop-up Menu

Select between Right, Front, Top, Perspective, Right-Left, Front-Back, and Top-Bottom.

Front View	Right View	Top View

Cylinder Unwrapping

UV unwrapping is done using a cylindrical projection about the specified axis.

Rotation Axis Pop-up Menu

Select between X, Y, and Z.

X	Y	Z

Sphere Unwrapping

UV unwrapping is done using a spherical projection about the specified axis.

Rotation Axis Pop-up Menu

Select between X, Y, and Z.

X	Y	Z

Box Unwrapping

UV unwrapping is done using an orthographic projection of each of the six faces of the cube.

Fit selected	Fit unselected