Recently I had a question regarding UV Mapping. I was glad to find a very easy and clean solution, recommended to me by Serialsiner. I want to share in case people missed it.
There is an Import/Export script available called Obj toIO.py, written by Chris Lynch (Be sure to read the script notes before running it). This will export your mesh objects from Blender in the .obj file format.
Once exported you can open them in Steve Cox’s UV Mapper Classic, which is freeware for personal and commercial use. It will unwrap your exported .obj file into Planar, Box, Cyndrical, Cydrical Cap, and Spherical Texture Maps. Its excellent.
After it is Unwrapped in the manner you choose, you can save the Texture Map as a .bmp for use as a template in your favorite image editor. Be sure to save from your image editor in a Blender supported image format.
But here is the best part. After you save your UV Map, you can also save the model again from UV Mapper (I recommend not exporting the materials, since you will be making you own texture).
Next, use the Obj toIO.py script import your model back into Blender. Apply a Material, and open an image window. With your model selected, hit the F key (keyboard). You should see your mesh laid out with the same UV calcualtion you chose in UV Mapper! Now, load the Texture map template you saved from your image editor. You should see your mesh overlays the template as needed. Hit the F key again, then in the Materials window, set the TexFace button to on. Once your scence is setup, render.
Good luck.
Here is the link to the original thread.
Thanks to Serialsiner, Chris Lynch and Steve Cox. Thanks to JamesK also for his theory and technique contributions.
This tutorial requires Blender verison 2.23, available here:old blender versions archive
I am sorry for not saying that earlier and causing people headaches
