13.05 Blender UV Mapping
UV mapping in Blender is the process of assigning 2D UV coordinates to 3D objects. This allows a texture image to be placed onto the object in a way that is consistent, editable, and predictable.
Because a 3D form cannot usually be flattened without cutting, most models must be unwrapped into a 2D UV layout. This process creates UV shells that represent different parts of the model inside UV space. A good UV unwrap helps textures appear at the correct scale and with as little stretching or distortion as possible.
Blender includes several UV mapping methods, from quick automatic tools to more manual workflows. One of the fastest automatic methods is Smart UV Project, which cuts and unfolds the mesh based on angle thresholds. This can work well for many objects but complex objects often require manual seams and more careful unwrapping.
This video shows how to use Smart UV Project in Blender.