creating deeper Normalmaps ?

[Marcel]

The two important settings for the NVidia normalmal filter are the filter size, and the scale.

The scale setting makes your normalmap stronger, I usually use values from 1 to 4.

The filter size tells it how big the details are that will get filtered. If you have the default setting, it will only pick up very small patterns. If you set it to a bigger size, for example 8x8 then the normalmap will be more smooth.
Sometimes you get good effects blending two layers: one layer which you made with a large filter size and another layer which you made with a small filter size for the details (crank up the scale for this one).

You can also try CrazyBump. I haven't used it myself much, but the results look superiour to the NVidia filter.

[Wiruz]

Thanks alot!!

Well i have used Crazybump Alot but first of all i need to invert my normal and i cant find any settings for that in crazybump .Not sure if it exist in Nvidias normal map application eather?

Also i dont get that depth i want in crazybump.I tried an example normalmapfile and it was fantastic details in it.I cant even get close to that.It looked like it was a flyfoto over a mountain that was desaturated and converted to a normalmap if u guys know what i mean?

like the maps created in Terragen

Is it posseble to create such map in Phototshop?Like the hightmaps in terragen?I want that kind of detail but more flexebillity like creating cracks and such kind of details.I tried to figure out a good way yesterday but im not even close

Thanks !!

[Marcel]

Well i have used Crazybump Alot but first of all i need to invert my normal and i cant find any settings for that in crazybump .Not sure if it exist in Nvidias normal map application eather?

In the Nvidia filter you have the 'invert Y' setting. If Crazybump doesn't have this you can always open the map in Photoshop and invert the right channel (probably the green channel).

Can you show us an example of the normalmap that you would like to generate?

[Wiruz]

thanks alot man!Yes i will post an example when i get home in a few hours be back sson with some screens!

*Edit*

here we go.i have made a screenshot of the normalmap i found and one o converted with nvidiatool.

As you see one of them have more depth.


http://img512.imageshack.us/img512/7568/probgc8.th.jpg (http://img512.imageshack.us/my.php?image=probgc8.jpg)

http://img166.imageshack.us/img166/4494/prob1ye3.th.jpg (http://img166.imageshack.us/my.php?image=prob1ye3.jpg)

[Marcel]

I've attached an test image which I made with some photoshopfilters. If I use the NVidia normalmap filter I get more or less the same 'depth' that you are looking for.

These are the settings I used:

Samples: 4x4
Invert Y on
Scale 9

Try it out yourself on this image.

Creating normalmaps with teh filter is a bit tricky because you need to know (or experiment) what you have to create in grayscale to get the right normalmap.
Remember that a normalmap is just like any other texture, you can paint, blend, blur, clone and whatnot to get the image that you want (just be careful with colour manipulations)

[Wiruz]

ohh man thanks a million!!! i guess you solved my problem!ill try and post my result later

Thanks alot!!!

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