Ptex system for advanced texture mapping

Abstract

Ptex is a texture mapping method. It's main advantage is the elimination of UV mapping process by storing separate texture for each face. Ptex deals with the filtering across face boundaries, which makes all the little separate textures look seamless, as if they were one big texture. Ptex file format can efficiently store hundreds of thousands of images into a single file. Ptex API is released as open source, written in C++, which enables implementation of Ptex in various programs. This paper analyses advantages and drawbacks of this system and examines if Ptex is today usable outside of big production studios. Analysis leads us to a conclusion that Ptex can already be used by individuals outside of big production studios.