Have you ever done any 3D modelling/texturing? Basically every model you create has texture co-ordinates (UV co-ordinates) which say how the texture file maps onto the model. This is simple for simple geometric shapes, but you need a tool like this when working with the kind of models you find in games like Quake 3.
It is called 'unwrapping' because you are unwrapping the model to lay it flat (think of one of those 3D cardboard cut-out model kits) and projecting it onto the texture, allowing you to use a paint program to do your texture as you can see which parts of the texture map to the model.
I'm not sure I've explained it very well, but you should get the essence of what I mean.
It is called 'unwrapping' because you are unwrapping the model to lay it flat (think of one of those 3D cardboard cut-out model kits) and projecting it onto the texture, allowing you to use a paint program to do your texture as you can see which parts of the texture map to the model.
I'm not sure I've explained it very well, but you should get the essence of what I mean.