[Wily Duck]

Ok yeah this is more for doom3 mapping, but hey, I figured someone probably wants to know this stuff around here.

Reading my "game developer"'s magazine, came across a nice little way to make normal maps. What's a normal map? From wikipedia: "Like bump mapping, it is used to add details to shading without using more polygons." In other words, it makes 2d objects look 3d, like veins on skin or bolts on a surface. A more advanced bumpmapping.

Anyway, from GDM, says:
Make a low poly shape of any kind in whatever 3d package. Export to .obj or .dxf. Import into Z2 (which I think is this application). Create subdivisions with the divide button. Object becomes rounded, high-poly. Return to the lowest detail level. Click create normal map. Done.

Since I don't know how to model, I can't test this. Either way it looks cool and for those that wanted a clue into how normal maps were built rather than being magic shader layers, there you go. I'm feeling more clueful. btw check that app site anyway, it's got a really cool animated graphic of making a lizard-guy from scratch, in almost no time using zbrushes.

-wily duck

[MidgetKiller (old)]

Cool stuff duck. Thanks for the info!

[tub (old)]

You can create pseudo normal maps for quake3 by using the: q3map_normalImage texturename shader keyword.

[rashly (old)]

D3 uses 4 files for each texture. The texture itself, the normal map, the specular map, and the bump map.

Definitely good effects, but the time to make the art has increased dramatically.

The first decent compression for normal maps is also 3dc, which only ati r420+ supports right now (may not be true when the g70 comes out). It is lossy, but it is good for mid range cards.

I still say that we need better normal map compression than 3dc.

[codey (old)]

Quote

You can create pseudo normal maps for quake3 by using the: q3map_normalImage texturename shader keyword.

Here's a little tutorial on how to use it

http://www.planetwol...etoeni/bump.htm

cheers

[blackrayne (old)]

damn good tut there bud ive used that one before:)