Box or Cubic Mapping

With the model selected, click on 2D Tools > UV Mapping > Box to apply the Box or Cubic mapping shown below.  Click on the image to see a larger 1024 by 768 pixel version.

Splitting the Mapping Modes into Cubic and Cylindrical

The top of the statue’s head is flat and in 3 sections.  The cubic mapping mode works well for these parts, so we’ll separate their UVs from the rest of the model and try applying cylindrical mapping to the remainder of the head.  The three head top parts were selected and moved outside the image box, since the cubic mapping fit them very well.  With the three head top parts still selected, the selection was inverted and cylindrical mapping was applied to the rest of the model.  Axis Alignment was set to Y and Seam Rotation was set to 180 degrees to place the texture seam at the back of the head.  The cylindrical mapping was scaled down in size too allow room for the cubic mapped head top parts within the texture box.

Face Mapping

Face mapping is one of the few mapping modes free of distortion or overlap, but it also produces a template very difficult to paint over unless you have a painting program that allows projection painting onto a 3D model.  Programs like Deep Paint 3D, Maxon’s Body Paint, and TrueSpace can handle projection painting.

The image below shows the Face mapped model. Click on the image to see a larger 1024 by 768 pixel version.