in edit mode and vertex select mode:

ctrl + left click = create vertex

if you don't want that vertices get connected with edges then deselect the newly created vertex (with [a] key) before creating another one.

by selecting 3 or 4 vertices or 2 edges and pressing [f] you can create a face.


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yes, i think blender could solve your uv-mapping issue! you can scale uvs by entering numbers for example.