Surface\Mapping\Assign UV - Creates mapping object. If mapping haven't been
assigned to faces yet, than the mapping object converts mesh from current view to UV
mapping object. For the instance:
for bounded group of faces (side view) the mapping object, generated from side view will
look like this:
The result in 3D View is also shown. Notice, there is a square texture in UV view.
By positioning object over this square texture you adjust mapping. In fact, you show
which part of texture and how is fit to faces.
Using standard Scale and Move tools, mapping object can be adjusted to match
texture:
As you might expect, if you assign UV to the group of faces that was previousely
mapped, then ZModeler will resoted mapping object.
What should also be mentioned is that in the mapping object all faces are independent
and do not connected to each other (do not share veritces). If you try to move any
vertex shows, you will see something like this:
Another feature of Assign UV tool is Face-Mapping mode, when all
selected faces get the same mapping. In UV View according mapping object will
contain only one triangle, that represents mapping for all selected faces.
It's very useful to map group of faces to a matte-color area of texture. For the
instance, cars' hood faces can be mapped to gray area of texture with this kind of
mapping:
Warning! Be careful using face-mapping mode. It is applied to selected faces
only, and if you select another faces and then try to modify mapping object, then the
newly selected faces will get the mapping changes. In other words: "when you have
done adjusting mapping for the group of faces, delete mapping object (with Modify\Delete)
and then assing and map another group of faces.
The most expected question is how to revert to situation when ZModeler generates
new mapping for the faces, like in the beginning of this topic? For that purpose you
have to reset current mapping for the faces. Use the:
Surface\Mapping\Reset UV tool to reset current mapping for group of faces.
These tools are the only used when creating mapping.