All objects in 3ds Max have mapping channels, which hold information pertinent to texture mapping as well as vertex color, illumination, and alpha. Mesh objects also have geometry and vertex-selection channels.
The main channel is vertex color, which enables each vertex in an object to have its own color, with automatic gradients between vertices. This coloring is not visible by default, but you can toggle its display with Object Properties settings. You can also view and edit vertex coloring with such features as the VertexPaint modifier. It can be used to preassign lighting, occlusion, and other visual effects. Mapping-channel data can also be used by external applications such as game engines.
Other mapping channels can be used for different coloring, transparency (alpha) data, geometric information, vertex selection, and more. The Channel Info utility provides direct access to the mapping channels as well as the ability to create new channels and clear existing ones.