Mapping in AutoCAD

 Introduced in AutoCAD 2007 was mapping. Are that tools to make maps?

 

No. The Mapping Toolbar (also on the Dashboard: Materials panel, Mapping flyout) is related to handle how materials are placed or oriented on objects (3D solid, 3D surface, face, or 2D object with thickness).

MaterialMap is the command used and there are four ways to map.

• Planar mapping - Maps the image onto the object as if you were projecting it from a slide projector onto a 2D surface. The image is not distorted, but the image is scaled to fit the object. This mapping is most commonly used for faces.
• Box mapping - Maps an image onto a boxlike solid. The image is repeated on each side of the object.
• Spherical mapping - Warps the image both horizontally and vertically. The top edge of the map is compressed to a point at the “north pole” of the sphere, as is the bottom edge at the “south pole.”
• Cylindrical mapping - Maps an image onto a cylindrical object; the horizontal edges are wrapped together but not the top and bottom edges. The height of the image is scaled along the cylinder’s axis.

Below is the result using these four options. (also as DWF)

When the command starts a material mapping gizmo to adjust the mapping on a face or an object starts. The mapping can be moved, rotated or scaled.