Texturing a map

[Rianu]

well, ive been working on building a map with 3ds max for a while now, working out the meshes and all the little kinks and stuff. There is one problem however, i have the hardest time with doing the textures. Would someone be so kind as to explain a few things to me:

1. Alpha Mapping... Wha?
2. unwrap UVW... need to be pointed in the right direction
3. anything else i need to know about texturing a halo map?

I watched the Kirk tutorials and i know those basics, i had a hard time with the uvw mapping though. and also with the more advanced maps where more texturing is required i really dont know where to begin... multi/sub materials? Thanks for your help, a point in the right direction would be nice, thanks.