AutoCAD 2008 User's
Guide > Create Realistic
Images and Graphics > Materials and
Textures > Using Maps for Added
Realism >
Use Map Channels for Added Realism
Map channels add the realism of texture to a material.
Maps channels assign a pattern or texture to a material's color. The colors of the map replace the material's diffuse color when a map channel is selected.
After selecting a map channel you can use any Texture Map, or one of the Procedural Maps, such as wood and marble. For example, if you want a wall to be made out of brick, you can choose a texture map with an image of bricks. This is the most common kind of mapping. You can also used a procedural map, such as tiles or wood. The procedural maps have properties you can adjust for the effect you want; for example, the tiling size and mortar spacing for a brick patterned material or the spacing of the grain in a wood material.
The map you add to a material can be scaled or it can be fit to the object. The pattern can be tiled or rotated.
Maps are also available for other purposes. You can use more than one map for the same material and can create nested maps.
After you apply the map, you can adjust it to fit on the face or object by using material mapping.
Diffuse map provides a pattern of colors for a material.
Reflection map simulate a scene reflected on the surface of a shiny object.
Opacity maps create the illusion of opacity and transparency.
A bump map simulates a bumpy or irregular surface.
