Welcome!

The tip about the “plane” meant something different - UV Mapping, which is done by first opening the entire 3D model’s surface flat, like rolling out your fish on a table surface and imagining the skin peeling off onto the table?

Then the texture can be overlaid onto that skin, and parts of it moved around until the texture is properly overlaid without creases or ripples when you view it normally again.

I am no good at it, although I understand the principle I haven’t done much to get practice…

Here is a link to free programs and tutorials that may help you to get started:

http://forums.seriouszone.com/showthread.php?58881-Tech-Tip-UV-Mapping-Tools-and-Tutorials

UVMapper Classic seems to be a good tool to start with, but 'm not an authority on the subject.

If you get stuck, all you need to do is ask on the modelling forum here and someone will help you.

Good luck, and we hope to see some stunning work from you soon.