Texture Mapping

• Problem: Need small details, but cannot afford more polygons
• Solution: Take a picture and paste it onto a model like wall paper or gift wrapping
• Algorithm:
  • Map a u,v coordinate pair onto each model vertex
  • Then, interpolate as with lighting (interpolation is big in graphics)
  • Note, problems with interpolated approximations can be very severe
• Hardware is available for this process, so it is fast
  • Image resides in video memory, so limited number possible at once
• Many uses for efficiencies by faking
  • Reflections: environment mapping
  • Lights: Light and shadow mapping
  • Rough surfaces: normal or bump mapping
  • Landscapes: sky boxes

Issues

• Variety of ways to map
  
• Perspective distortion
  
• Aliasing
  
• Level of Detail (MipMaps)
  

Examples

• Texturing Progression
• Teapots
• Perlin Noise
• Spheres
• Lights
• Sky boxes
• UV Mapper software
• Butterflies by Tyler Voliter and Peter Douglas

References

• Notes on texture mapping by Steve Marschner
• Texture mapping applets from Brown University
• Pyramidal Parametrics by Lance Williams
• Better texture results through mathematical filtering by Peter Hajba
• Simulation of Wrinkled Surfaces by Jim Blinn
• Real Time, Accurate, Multi-Featured Rendering of Bump Mapped Surfaces by Marco Tarini et al
• Ptex: Per-Face Texture Mapping for Production Rendering by Brent Burley and Dylan Lacewell