Normal map - Revision history

EricChadwick: /* Blending Normal Maps Together */ http://boards.polycount.net/ fix

2018-11-27T14:41:15Z

‎Blending Normal Maps Together: http://boards.polycount.net/ fix

EricChadwick: /* Blending Normal Maps Together */ #Re-normalizing

2018-11-27T14:38:33Z

‎Blending Normal Maps Together: #Re-normalizing

EricChadwick: /* Blending Normal Maps Together */ rodgreen.com

2018-11-26T23:26:05Z

‎Blending Normal Maps Together: rodgreen.com

EricChadwick: /* Older Tutorials */ Jeff Ross fix

2016-03-03T18:22:47Z

‎Older Tutorials: Jeff Ross fix

EricChadwick: /* Baking Tools */

2016-01-19T14:34:00Z

‎Baking Tools

EricChadwick: /* Older Tutorials */ 3DTutorials/Modeling_High-Low_Poly_Models_for_Next_Gen_Games

2015-12-12T01:44:05Z

‎Older Tutorials: 3DTutorials/Modeling_High-Low_Poly_Models_for_Next_Gen_Games

EricChadwick: /* What is a Normal Map? */ These methods can also be used together.

2015-11-30T13:43:03Z

‎What is a Normal Map?: These methods can also be used together.

EricChadwick: direction / line

2015-11-30T13:42:02Z

direction / line

EricChadwick: VertexNormal

2015-11-30T13:41:22Z

VertexNormal

EricChadwick: table formatting fix

2015-11-06T13:20:18Z

table formatting fix

@@ Line 129: / Line 129: @@
 # [[3DTutorials/Normal Map Deepening|Normal Map Deepening]] by [http://www.poopinmymouth.com/ Ben "poopinmymouth" Mathis] shows how to blend normal maps together using Overlay mode. [http://cgtextures.com/content.php?action=tutorial&name=normalmap CGTextures tutorial for the NVIDIA Photoshop filter] by [http://hirezstudios.com/ Scott Warren] also shows how to create normalmaps using multiple layers (Note: to work with the Overlay blend mode each layer's Output Level should be 128 instead of 255, you can use the Levels tool for this).
-The [http://boards.polycount.net/showthread.php?t=69615 Getting good height from Nvidia-filter normalizing grayscale height] thread on the Polycount forum has a discussion of different painting/blending options. Also see the [[Normal_map#2D_Normal_Map_Tools|2D Normal Map Tools]] section for painting and conversion tools.
+The [https://polycount.com/discussion/69615 Getting good height from Nvidia-filter normalizing grayscale height] thread on the Polycount forum has a discussion of different painting/blending options. Also see the [[Normal_map#2D_Normal_Map_Tools|2D Normal Map Tools]] section for painting and conversion tools.
 === Pre-Created Templates ===

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 Re-oriented Normal Mapping (RNM) is probably the most accurate method, and can be done in real-time. The Photoshop script [http://vincentcallebaut.com/CombineNormal.html Combine Normal] by Vincent Callebaut uses this method, see the Polycount Forum thread [http://www.polycount.com/forum/showthread.php?t=131819 Combine normal maps script for Photoshop]. A full explanation is described on the page [http://blog.selfshadow.com/publications/blending-in-detail/ Blending in Detail - Self Shadow].
-Below is a comparison of four other blending methods. Note that in these examples the default values were used for CrazyBump (Intensity 50, Strength 33, Strength 33), but the tool allows each layer's strength to be adjusted individually for stronger or milder results. Each of the normal maps below were [[#Renormalizing|re-normalized]] after blending.
+Below is a comparison of four other blending methods. Note that in these examples the default values were used for CrazyBump (Intensity 50, Strength 33, Strength 33), but the tool allows each layer's strength to be adjusted individually for stronger or milder results. Each of the normal maps below were [[#Re-normalizing|re-normalized]] after blending.
 {| border="1"

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 The four blending methods used above:
 # [http://www.crazybump.com CrazyBump] by Ryan Clark blends normal maps together using calculations in 3D space rather than just in 2D. This does probably the best job at preserving details, and each layer's strength settings can be tweaked individually.
-# [http://www.rodgreen.com/?p=4 Combining Normal Maps in Photoshop] by Rod Green blends normal maps together using Linear Dodge mode for the positive values and Difference mode for the negative values, along with a Photoshop Action to simplify the process. It's free, but the results may be less accurate than CrazyBump.
+# [http://www.rodgreen.com/?p=217 Combining Normal Maps in Photoshop] by Rod Green blends normal maps together using Linear Dodge mode for the positive values and Difference mode for the negative values, along with a Photoshop Action to simplify the process. It's free, but the results may be less accurate than CrazyBump.
 # [http://www.paultosca.com/makingofvarga.html Making of Varga] by [http://www.paultosca.com/ Paul "paultosca" Tosca] blends normal maps together using Overlay mode for the red and green channels and Multiply mode for the blue channel. This gives a slightly stronger bump than the Overlay-only method. [http://www.leocov.com/ Leo "chronic" Covarrubias] has a step-by-step tutorial for this method in [http://www.cgbootcamp.com/tutorials/2009/12/9/photoshop-combine-normal-maps.html CG Bootcamp Combine Normal Maps].
 # [[3DTutorials/Normal Map Deepening|Normal Map Deepening]] by [http://www.poopinmymouth.com/ Ben "poopinmymouth" Mathis] shows how to blend normal maps together using Overlay mode. [http://cgtextures.com/content.php?action=tutorial&name=normalmap CGTextures tutorial for the NVIDIA Photoshop filter] by [http://hirezstudios.com/ Scott Warren] also shows how to create normalmaps using multiple layers (Note: to work with the Overlay blend mode each layer's Output Level should be 128 instead of 255, you can use the Levels tool for this).
 The [http://boards.polycount.net/showthread.php?t=69615 Getting good height from Nvidia-filter normalizing grayscale height] thread on the Polycount forum has a discussion of different painting/blending options. Also see the [[Normal_map#2D_Normal_Map_Tools|2D Normal Map Tools]] section for painting and conversion tools.
 === Pre-Created Templates ===

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 * The two-part article [http://www.ericchadwick.com/examples/provost/byf2.html#wts Beautiful, Yet Friendly] by [http://www.linkedin.com/in/gprovost Guillaume Provost] explains how smoothing groups and other mesh attributes cause vertices to be duplicated in the game. The vertex count is actually what matters in-game, not the triangle or poly count.
 * [http://www.poopinmymouth.com/tutorial/normal_workflow_2.htm Normal map workflow] by [http://www.poopinmymouth.com/ Ben "poopinmymouth" Mathis] demonstrates his normal mapping workflow in 3ds Max and Photoshop.
-* [http://dodownload.filefront.com/9086954//72f71c0147df53765045a22253c18361a29a6d532425842007ead644d39cbb85d0794ab560365cfa This video tutorial] by [http://www.custom-airbrush.com/ Jeff "airbrush" Ross] shows in Maya how to subdivide the low-poly mesh so it more closely matches the high-poly mesh, to help solve wavy lines in the bake.
+* [https://www.dropbox.com/s/ej3ug1uhj3spig4/LowPoly_SmoothProxy_Baking_for_Cyl_Sph_Objects.swf?dl=0 This video tutorial] by [http://jeffross3dartist.com/ Jeff "airbrush" Ross] shows in Maya how to subdivide the low-poly mesh so it more closely matches the high-poly mesh, to help solve wavy lines in the bake.
 * [http://www.bencloward.com/tutorials_normal_maps1.shtml Normal Mapping Tutorial] by [http://www.bencloward.com/ Ben Cloward] is a comprehensive tutorial about the entire normal map creation process.
 * [http://www.pinwire.com/articles/26/1/Generating-High-Fidelity-Normal-Maps-with-3-D-Software.html Generating High Fidelity Normal Maps with 3-D Software] by [http://www.linkedin.com/pub/0/277/4AB Dave McCoy] shows how to use a special lighting setup to render normal maps (instead of baking them).

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 === Baking Tools ===
-* [[Texture Baking#Baking Tools]]
+* [[Texture Baking]]
 * [http://www.polycount.com/forum/showthread.php?t=137579 Normal Map Bake Off: Xnormal vs 3Dsmax vs Substance Designer Bakes]
 * [http://www.polycount.com/forum/showthread.php?t=116899 Official handplane support thread - Now freeware!!]
 * [http://www.laurenscorijn.com/future-xoliulshader-support.html Future Xoliulshader support] = why Xoliulshader doesn't work properly in 3ds Max 2013/2014.
 === Projection Errors ===

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 * [http://www.iddevnet.com/quake4/ArtReference_CreatingModels#head-3400c230e92ff7d57424b2a68f6e0ea75dee4afa Creating Models in Quake 4] by [http://www.ravensoft.com/ Raven Software] is a comprehensive guide to creating Quake 4 characters.
 * [http://www.svartberg.com/tutorials/article_normalmaps/normalmaps.html Normalmaps for the Technical Game Modeler] by [http://www.svartberg.com Ariel Chai] shows how low-poly smoothing and UVs can affect normal maps in Doom 3.
-* [http://wiki.polycount.net/3D_Tutorials/Modeling_High-Low_Poly_Models_for_Next_Gen_Games Modeling High/Low Poly Models for Next Gen Games] by [http://www.acetylenegames.com/artbymasa/ João "Masakari" Costa] is an overview of modeling for normal maps.
+* [[3DTutorials/Modeling_High-Low_Poly_Models_for_Next_Gen_Games]] by [http://www.acetylenegames.com/artbymasa/ João "Masakari" Costa] is an overview of modeling for normal maps.
 * The [http://tech-artists.org/wiki/Beveling Beveling section on the Tech-Artists.Org Wiki] discusses how smoothing groups and bevels affect the topology of the low-poly model.
 * The two-part article [http://www.ericchadwick.com/examples/provost/byf2.html#wts Beautiful, Yet Friendly] by [http://www.linkedin.com/in/gprovost Guillaume Provost] explains how smoothing groups and other mesh attributes cause vertices to be duplicated in the game. The vertex count is actually what matters in-game, not the triangle or poly count.
@@ Line 226: / Line 226: @@
 * [http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?f=39&t=359082 3ds Max normal mapping overview] by [http://www.alan-noon.com/ Alan Noon] is a great thread on CGTalk about the normal mapping process.
 * [http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?f=46&t=373024 Hard Surface Texture Painting] by [http://stefan-morrell.cgsociety.org/gallery/ Stefan Morrell] is a good introduction to painting textures for metal surfaces.
 == More Information ==

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 A normal map is commonly used to fake high-resolution details on a low-resolution model. Each pixel of the map stores the surface slope of the original high-res mesh at that point. This creates the illusion of more surface detail or better curvature. However, the silhouette of the model doesn't change.
-There are two basic methods to create normal maps:
+There are two basic methods to create normal maps. These methods can also be used together.
 # [[Normal_map#3D_Workflow|3D modeling and baking]]
 # [[Normal_map#2D_Workflow|2D painting and conversion]]

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 == What is a Normal Map? ==
-A normal map is an image that stores a line at each pixel. These lines are called [[VertexNormal|normals]].
+A normal map is an image that stores a direction at each pixel. These directions are called [[VertexNormal|normals]].
 The [[Normal_Map_Technical_Details#RGB_Channels|red, green, and blue channels]] of the image are used to control the direction of each pixel's normal.

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 Below is a comparison of four other blending methods. Note that in these examples the default values were used for CrazyBump (Intensity 50, Strength 33, Strength 33), but the tool allows each layer's strength to be adjusted individually for stronger or milder results. Each of the normal maps below were [[#Renormalizing|re-normalized]] after blending.
-{|class="wikitable"
+{| border="1"
 |[[image:nrmlmap_blending_methods_Maps.png]]
 |[[image:nrmlmap_blending_methods_RTTNormalMapFX.png]]
@@ Line 178: / Line 178: @@
 You can customize normal maps for some interesting effects. If you invert the blue channel of a tangent-space map, the normals will be pointing to the opposite side of the surface, which can simulate backlighting.
-{|class="wikitable"
+{| border="1"
 |[[image:tree_front.jpg]]||[[image:tree_back.jpg]]
 |-