Normal Maps

[DamoclesX]

Do we have any other max7 users here?
It has a really good tutorial on normal maps, i"m gonna run through it, post screens of how they work and compare them to bump maps, I"m hoping there are some other users here who can do the same, then milo can get a feedback on just how many people would be able to do this over bumps



Normal Bump Mapping refers to a new technique for simulating high-resolution surface detail on low-resolution polygonal models. Normal Bump Mapping is similar in some respects to regular bump mapping, but it conveys more complex surface detail than is possible in regular bump mapping. Normal bump maps store information on the direction normal of the surface in addition to the simple depth information used in regular bump mapping.

The practical benefits of normal bump mapping were first seen in real-time gaming platforms, but the ability to create more realistic detail with fewer polygons is common in all areas of digital content creation. 3D artists of all stripes should take the time to explore this powerful new tool in 3ds max 7.

To get the best results with normal bump mapping, you should be familiar with techniques for managing texture coordinates in your models. If you haven't already done so, you might want to review the topic Unwrap UVW Modifier in the 3ds max 7 User Reference, or the previous Materials and Mapping Tutorials.

Skill Level: Intermediate/Advanced

[DamoclesX]

Well here we go

The low poly object is made up of 24 polygons, a box that is divided then shaped to fit that form

The high poly object is a 49,000 poly object of the same dimensions with usless details added to it

Here is the first pic

[DamoclesX]

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[DamoclesX]

And the normal map.

This process is rather easy in 3dmax7, I dont know about exporting or how that would work, basically this reduced your photoshop work to coloring, basic texture patterns and any weathering effects. It also adds a lot of time if you are not good in max because the details are built into the model, you COULd do the normal map by hand, but thats insane, you would never get the same level of accuracy or details.

so to sum up, normal maps would add more details, more... functions if you will. but they are gonna kick up the time to build a simple model, your gonna have to be good in photoshop to get any good effects to mesh with the normals, and as far as I know only 3dmax7 has tools this sweet.

I"m gonna try to get a high poly model from one of my buds and see what it does with an actual model

I should mention I have some perspective problems that I dont know how to fix yet, but I never really tryed

[DamoclesX]

Last set

the one on the left is a 8000 poly saucer the right is a 400 poly one

[DamoclesX]

nother

[DamoclesX]

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[DamoclesX]

Now, my opinion on this.

Normals seem great for stealing detail from high poly models, how this works for spaceships seems to be pretty good, I also belive there is a way to combine the textures already on that high poly model onto the low poly one, however, if you wany any kind of real weather effects and such you still need photoshop

as for over bumps, its plus and minus... bumps are easy to edit.. I dont know about normals yet, but I suspect for small things they wont be that horrible, bumps are very easy to make, in fact most of the time is juts coloring the right layers in your photoshop doc

Normals do take a lot longer, you have to make a high poly model then a low poly then combine, and you also have to have the model totaly unwrapped, it does not do that for you.

Finally, I have noticed I have to use rather high resolution normal maps, 2048 and such to get good defined lines, I dont know if I"m doing something wrong here but if that is the fact then it would be good to look into just how much it would slow down stuff with normals of that size

There, normal demonstration over lol