Mapping
TD COMPs / TOPs / 2023 – Present
Mapping, in the context of digital image processing, refers to the process of remapping pixel coordinates to new positions within an image space. Instead of directly altering color or intensity values, mapping focuses on the spatial arrangement of pixels — providing structured ways to manipulate coordinates, distort textures, and create complex spatial arrangements.
These components enable precise control over how images are projected, tiled, and transformed, making them essential tools for everything from texture mapping in 3D environments to procedural pattern generation. The current collection includes coordinate mapping tools such as UV and UVW mapping, which allow for flexible image warping and projection.
Future additions will introduce more advanced tiling methods, such as hex-grid structures and parametric tiling, expanding the possibilities for procedural pattern design and structured spatial transformations.
UV Map
2D Coordinate Remapping
This component provides a flexible way to remap pixel positions using a two‐dimensional coordinate system. The input image texture is re‐projected according to U and V coordinates, where U corresponds to the horizontal axis and V corresponds to the vertical axis.
This approach allows for controlled warping, shifting, and reorientation of images — making it a fundamental tool in both image processing and rendering workflows. Whether used for texture projection, procedural pattern design, or creative distortion effects, UV mapping enables a structured method of reshaping how pixels are distributed across the output image.
By defining how input coordinates are mapped to the output space, this UV Map Component acts as a versatile foundation for more complex mapping operations, such as tiling, layering, or non‐linear remapping.
Resources:
Download the .tox files
Texture Coordinates and Texture Sampling
Texture Coordinates by FME
UV Mapping on Wikipedia
Parameters
Sample:
Specifies a TOP input whose resolution will define the output UV Map’s dimensions. Useful for ensuring the UV map matches another texture in size.
Dimensions:
Sets the output resolution manually when no TOP is sampled. Defines the width and height of the generated UV map.
Method:
Determines the coordinate system for the UV map:
Standard (Origin at the bottom‐left corner (0,0)) or
Centered (Origin at the center of the output texture)
Aspect Correction:
Toggles whether the generated coordinates preserve the native aspect ratio of the output texture or are normalized between 0 and 1.
Translate:
Offsets the UV map along the X and Y axes, shifting the coordinate space horizontally or vertically.
Rotate:
Rotates the UV map around the origin, allowing for reorientation of the coordinate system.
Outputs
Output 0 – TOP generated UV map.
Updated – 31/8/2025
UVW Map
3D Coordinate Remapping
This component extends traditional UV mapping into three dimensions, generating a UVW coordinate field where U corresponds to the horizontal axis, V to the vertical axis, and W to depth. Instead of working in only two axes, the UVW Map allows you to define and manipulate a full three‐dimensional coordinate space for texture projection and spatial mapping.
By incorporating a W axis, this component enables more complex remapping operations such as volumetric textures, layered projections, and triplanar blending. The UVW coordinate field can be rotated along all three axes and stretched or compressed independently, making it a versatile tool for procedural patterning and advanced mapping techniques.
As with UV mapping, the UVW Map operates by re‐projecting the input image into a new coordinate space, but with the additional flexibility of depth‐aware manipulation. This allows for effects and workflows that go beyond simple 2D warping, including pseudo‐3D pattern generation and multi-axis distortions.
Resources:
Download the .tox files
Texture Coordinates and Texture Sampling
Texture Coordinates by FME
UVW Mapping on Wikipedia
Parameters
Sample:
Specifies a TOP input whose resolution will define the output UVW Map’s dimensions.
Dimensions:
Sets the output resolution manually when no TOP is sampled. Defines the width and height of the generated UVW map.
Depth:
Defines the scale of the W axis (depth) in the output UVW Map.
Aspect Correction:
Toggles whether the generated coordinates preserve the native aspect ratio of the output texture or are normalized between 0 and 1.
Translate:
An XYZ offset applied to the UVW coordinate space. Shifts the mapping along the U, V, and W axes.
Rotate:
An XYZ rotation applied to the UVW coordinate system. Allows reorientation of the mapping around each axis.
Scale:
An XYZ scaling factor applied to the UVW coordinate space. Stretches or compresses the mapping independently along each axis.
Outputs
Output 0 – TOP generated UVW Map.
Updated – 31/8/2025