AVA Texture Mapping is a three-dimensional mapping program which uses virtual grids to place designs into digital photographic scenes. It can be used in addition to any of the other AVA modules, or as a ‘stand alone’ product. 

When used with other AVA modules such as Create and Repeat, Quick Separations, or Technical Separations, Texture Mapping utilises the features included in them and adds more of its own. This allows you to create designs from start to finish, and see the final result in a three-dimensional situation.

When Texture Mapping is used as a ‘stand alone’ product, i.e. without any additional AVA software, it includes a variety of manipulation and gridding tools. This provides the ability to scan and prepare model images, create and manipulate grids, and transfer finished designs into them. AVA Materialize can be used to grid and map room sets, fashion models, objects, fabrics and many other items. Free pre-gridded scenes are available for downloaded directly from the Grid menu in AVA.

Every finished layout which is created using AVA Texture Mapping requires two original files to complete the process; the scene, and the design.

The scene

• Photographic material, high resolution 24 or 32 bit images, with full, clear tonal shading are preferred. Scenes with no pattern or colour in the areas to be mapped will give the most realistic results.
• Clear line drawings or sketches, which are commonly seen in the apparel industry in storyboard displays. There should be no pattern in the areas to be mapped and the shading content depends on the style of the image being used. In other words, it is up to you.

The scene must be saved as an AVA 4 format file. This is because it stores many types of data including, images, layers and grid layers, which other file formats are not able to save within the same file.

The design

Designs to be transferred must work in repeat, with all edges joining correctly. It is also preferable, although not essential, for designs to be separated into layers. Designs do not require a high resolution, as good quality results can usually be achieved with fairly low resolution designs.

Preparing the Scene Masking Creating selections to add your design onto Selections Palette Saving your selections
	Creating Grids Grid selection tool Rectangular Grid Perspective Grid Contour Grid  Freedrawn Gridding Tool
Transferring Designs Separations Transferring separated images Images Transferring images layers