Q6Computer Graphics and Multimedia

Texture mapping is a rendering technique that maps a 2D image (called a texture or texture map) onto the surface of a 3D polygon mesh to add color, detail, and realistic surface appearance without increasing geometric complexity. Each 3D surface point is mapped to a corresponding 2D texture coordinate (u, v), also called UV coordinates.

Types include: Diffuse texture (color detail), Normal map (simulates surface bumps by perturbing normals), Specular map (controls shininess), Bump map, Environment map (for reflections), and Displacement map. Texture filtering (bilinear, trilinear, anisotropic) prevents aliasing artifacts during minification and magnification.