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Samizdat
09-20-2005, 02:05 AM
Hi folks,

I'm trying to put together a good displacement map for a piece of paper
that's been crumpled up and then flattened out again - basically, a
nice, realistic network of wrinkles, creases, etc.

Nothing here needs to animate. I've been able to get some decent
results through a combination of photographed textures and procedurals,
but I feel like it could be better.

The problem with photographing a real sheet of crumpled paper is that
it's difficult to light the paper in a way that captures the elevation
information.

The problem with the procedurals is that I haven't been able to find a
combination of settings that really give you that paper feel - it often
ends up looking like a landscape.

Does anyone have any suggestions? Places to look, things to try, better
ways to photograph - is there somewhere that I could purchase a stock
elevation file for paper?

Thanks!
GavinYoul
09-20-2005, 04:07 AM
have you tried a flatbed scanner. I reckon if you screwed the paper up and flattened it out on the scanner, don't put the lid down. this way the paper touching the glass should recieve the brightest highlights and the areas of the glass should be a contrast of shadow depending on the distance from the glass. once scanned adjust your levels for the desired effect for your bump map.

you've probably already tried this, but if not i hope it works.
Samizdat
09-20-2005, 04:13 AM
I took a few cracks at the scanner route, thinking along those same lines. Couldn't get a good elevation - it actually looks surprisingly similar to normal lighting. I'm thinking of trying again with a grey piece of paper to cut down on the highlights, but so far no luck.

Thanks...
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