What is meant by explicit channel

[nilariver@gmail.com]

When we apply bitmap in diffuse slot in cordinates area in texture we get following options explicit channel, vetex colour channel,Planar from object xyz and planar from world xyz. Can any body tell what is the meaning of this ?See the attchment

[RobNJ73]

The Help Files can explain this for you.

[whitetr]

Yes indeed. This is a cut and paste from the Max help file:

 

Mapping list - Options vary depending on choice of Texture or Environ mapping:

• Explicit Map Channel: Uses any map channel. When selected, the Map Channel field becomes active, and you can choose any channel from 1 to 99.
  
• Vertex Color Channel: Uses assigned vertex colors as a channel. See Editable Mesh for details on assigning vertex color. See also Vertex Color Map and Assign Vertex Colors Utility .
  
• Planar from Object XYZ: Uses planar mapping based on the object's local coordinates (disregarding the pivot point location). For rendering purposes, planar mapping doesn't project through to the back of the object unless you turn on Show Map On Back.
  
• Planar from World XYZ: Uses planar mapping based on the scene’s world coordinates (disregarding the object’s bounding box). For rendering purposes, planar mapping doesn't project through to the back of the object unless you turn on Show Map On Back.
  
• Spherical Environment, Cylindrical Environment, Shrink-wrap Environment: Project the map into the scene as though it were mapped to an invisible object in the background. See Environment Map .
  
• Screen: Projects as a flat backdrop in the scene.
  

[WAcky]

Or to make it just that little bit simpler, it means it will respect any map channel you define. So if you have a UVW map on an object that is using map channel 31 then you must select Explicit map channel and make the value 31 for the texture and the UVW map to work with each other.

 

Its really invaluable. It will unlock alot of flexibility when needed.