How to Create Maps

[phix314]

Probably the vaguest question I've ever read.

Maybe dig a little deeper? :)

[NAIMA]

I would to know how to create the following:

Specular Map

Reflection Map

Refraction Map

Light Map

SSS Map

Translucency Map

Can these be created from a Diffuse Map or do they have to be created from a Normal Map?

Would like to know too a good tutorial for that ....

[phix314]

Ok, what is your question exactly?

"Creating maps" is simply using various bitmaps or procedural nodes for creating areas the program uses for altering the appearance of shaders.

[GBREAL]

Ok, what is your question exactly?

"Creating maps" is simply using various bitmaps or procedural nodes for creating areas the program uses for altering the appearance of shaders.

I am talking about texture maps. For instance, if I have a diffuse map (texture) and wanted to create a bump map (texture) from that, I would desaturate the diffuse map and invert it.

I don't know if that is the best way to make a bump map but the point is I know how to create a bump map that way. It is the only map (texture) I know how to create, I don't know how to create the ones I listed in my first post.

[scrimski]

I am talking about texture maps. For instance, if I have a diffuse map (texture) and wanted to create a bump map (texture) from that, I would desaturate the diffuse map and invert it.
I don't know if that is the best way to make a bump map but the point is I know how to create a bump map that way.
Wrong way. Probably convinient and in some cases you might get away with it, but wrong. Bump maps cover height data, which is unrelated to color data like in diffuse maps.
If you want it right, put some effort in it.

Stefan Morell posted a quite descriptibe tutorial about texturing hard surfaces using diffuse, bump, specular and reflection maps.
http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?t=373024

[phix314]

I think we're missing each other somewhere.

Lets say we have a special bottle we need to texture to make it reflective in some area, and have an etched look in some areas. For this we would need a reflectivity map and a refraction gloss map.

To create the "maps" (and by 'map' I mean an image file to control these areas), you can do it however you'd like. Photoshop, paint, GIMP, whatever. UV and have fun.

For the following you mentioned:


Specular Map

Reflection Map

Refraction Map

Light Map

SSS Map

Translucency Map



They're all done however you want. If by creating them from a diffuse map you mean altering the contrast and tone, eh, it may work sometimes, by like scrim said, if you want it to look good, do it with some effort. Light Maps? Like textures for lights, or Light Maps one would use alongside SSS?

[GBREAL]

Wrong way. Probably convinient and in some cases you might get away with it, but wrong. Bump maps cover height data, which is unrelated to color data like in diffuse maps.
If you want it right, put some effort in it.

Stefan Morell posted a quite descriptibe tutorial about texturing hard surfaces using diffuse, bump, specular and reflection maps.
http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?t=373024

Thank you that was the answer I was looking for.

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