diff --git a/newton/_src/sensors/warp_raytrace/textures.py b/newton/_src/sensors/warp_raytrace/textures.py
index 23fbc42fa..faebd08eb 100644
--- a/newton/_src/sensors/warp_raytrace/textures.py
+++ b/newton/_src/sensors/warp_raytrace/textures.py
@@ -47,6 +47,47 @@ def sample_texture_mesh(
     return sample_texture_2d(flip_v(wp.cw_mul(uv, texture_data.repeat)), texture_data)
 
 
+@wp.func
+def sample_texture_triplanar(
+    hit_point: wp.vec3f,
+    shape_transform: wp.transformf,
+    mesh_id: wp.uint64,
+    face_id: wp.int32,
+    texture_data: TextureData,
+) -> wp.vec3f:
+    """Triplanar texture projection for meshes without UVs (equivalent to project_uvw).
+
+    Samples the texture from 3 axis-aligned projections and blends based on
+    the face normal, producing seamless results on arbitrarily oriented surfaces.
+    """
+    # Compute face normal from mesh triangle vertices
+    i0 = wp.mesh_get_index(mesh_id, face_id * 3 + 0)
+    i1 = wp.mesh_get_index(mesh_id, face_id * 3 + 1)
+    i2 = wp.mesh_get_index(mesh_id, face_id * 3 + 2)
+    p0 = wp.mesh_get_point(mesh_id, i0)
+    p1 = wp.mesh_get_point(mesh_id, i1)
+    p2 = wp.mesh_get_point(mesh_id, i2)
+    face_normal = wp.normalize(wp.cross(p1 - p0, p2 - p0))
+
+    # Transform hit point to local object space
+    inv_transform = wp.transform_inverse(shape_transform)
+    local = wp.transform_point(inv_transform, hit_point)
+
+    # Blending weights from absolute normal components (sum to 1)
+    w = wp.vec3f(wp.abs(face_normal[0]), wp.abs(face_normal[1]), wp.abs(face_normal[2]))
+    w_sum = w[0] + w[1] + w[2]
+    if w_sum > 0.0:
+        w = w / w_sum
+
+    # Sample texture from 3 axis-aligned projections
+    repeat = texture_data.repeat
+    c_x = sample_texture_2d(flip_v(wp.cw_mul(wp.vec2f(local[1], local[2]), repeat)), texture_data)
+    c_y = sample_texture_2d(flip_v(wp.cw_mul(wp.vec2f(local[0], local[2]), repeat)), texture_data)
+    c_z = sample_texture_2d(flip_v(wp.cw_mul(wp.vec2f(local[0], local[1]), repeat)), texture_data)
+
+    return c_x * w[0] + c_y * w[1] + c_z * w[2]
+
+
 @wp.func
 def sample_texture(
     shape_type: wp.int32,
@@ -70,11 +111,15 @@ def sample_texture(
         return sample_texture_plane(hit_point, shape_transform, texture_data[texture_index])
 
     if shape_type == GeoType.MESH:
-        if face_id < 0 or mesh_data_index < 0:
+        if face_id < 0:
             return DEFAULT_RETURN
 
-        if mesh_data[mesh_data_index].uvs.shape[0] == 0:
-            return DEFAULT_RETURN
+        # Triplanar projection for meshes without UV data (equivalent to project_uvw).
+        # Check before mesh_data_index guard since triplanar doesn't need mesh_data.
+        if mesh_data_index < 0 or mesh_data[mesh_data_index].uvs.shape[0] == 0:
+            return sample_texture_triplanar(
+                hit_point, shape_transform, mesh_id, face_id, texture_data[texture_index]
+            )
 
         return sample_texture_mesh(
             bary_u, bary_v, face_id, mesh_id, mesh_data[mesh_data_index], texture_data[texture_index]
diff --git a/newton/_src/utils/import_usd.py b/newton/_src/utils/import_usd.py
index 2e0eae935..a355125c5 100644
--- a/newton/_src/utils/import_usd.py
+++ b/newton/_src/utils/import_usd.py
@@ -431,11 +431,14 @@ def _get_mesh_with_visual_material(prim: Usd.Prim, *, path_name: str) -> Mesh:
             mesh.texture = texture
         if mesh.texture is not None and mesh.uvs is None:
             warnings.warn(
-                f"Warning: mesh {path_name} has a texture but no UVs; texture will be ignored.",
+                f"Mesh {path_name} has a texture but no UVs; texture will use projected UVs.",
                 stacklevel=2,
             )
-            mesh.texture = None
-        if material_props.get("color") is not None and mesh.texture is None:
+        if mesh.texture is not None:
+            # Texture provides albedo; use white so it renders at full brightness.
+            # (diffuse_color_constant is the untextured fallback, not a multiplier.)
+            mesh.color = (1.0, 1.0, 1.0)
+        elif material_props.get("color") is not None:
             mesh.color = material_props["color"]
         if material_props.get("roughness") is not None:
             mesh.roughness = material_props["roughness"]