Help with mapping (I'm used to 3DSmax and Cinema4D)

How do I edit my UV cordinates in a visual style like you do in 3DSmax or Cinema 4D, or do you have to use the UV unwrap tools or the ‘object mapping’ technique? I am a well experienced 3DSmax and cinema 4D guy, so I am battling a little bit when it comes to mapping. I find the simple flat, cylinder and sphere mapping techniques (I don’t use uv unwrapping at all really) easy enough. The tutorials I have found generally are about uv unwrapping, mainly for creatures etc. But I am a motion graphics designer, so I don’t often have a need for that.

thanks.