What normal-mapping is, and how it will affect your next-gen engine mod Thread

I had to remake this thread because a database error killed it before, I think.

Normal-mapping is the process of taking the lighting information of 3d architecture of some sort, and turning it into a 2d texture. This requires both modelling and texturing skills, but produces stunning and simply amazing results.

Fileplanet.com
The above link is a HL2 promotional video showing the normal-mapping process, and the outcome. It's truly an amazing ability for mod makers to be able to use. It allows the artist to create life-like (or not-so life-like) detail with full lighting detail with few polies.

well... ur post really isnt all too infrmative there.. But good video, however myself i dont like using the model method. Seems like a full on waiste to me, make a very intricate high-detail model only to make a normal map from it, then throw it out. I perfer the method of using the models skin instead, i've practiced this in tenebrae, and it produces good results with much less effort. Still, decent video there..

A HL video isn't what all it is.

Dynamic.gamespy.com

Tenebrae has had normal mapping for years.

- Edited By CheapAlert On Mon 12th, Apr 2004 @ 8:31:05am

What is the difference between normal mapping and bump mapping? Because Halo had some (but not alot) bump mapping.

normal mapping is like a highly intricate render to texture . making a highly detailed model when you have more than one modeler is key to high definition graphics , and is not a new concpet . thanks for bringing it up , though i assume many modders are kinda lazy and wont implement it into their mods .

bump brings grain, normal brings form. 'nuff said.

Polybump.com

Take a look at that. Normal mapping can effectively achieve identical results and reduce model polycounts by a factor of 136 - that's a lot, so it's pretty darn important.
We've got that one for Dh3 thankfully, it seems to be very efficient, although we can't use it as none of our modellers use 3dsmax or maya.

D0h!

i'd love to get it myself, but gets into some coding thats over my head..

are there any other mirros besides the worst place ever???

dude plz dont start telling people you get the SAME result from a 97,000 polyong model as the 840 polygon model , it just ISNT THE SAME . what they ARE ACHIEVEING , though is a higher quality of texture and lighting effects . cmon guys , the difference is obvious , dont start tellin people that its the same .

ummm.. who did?

...Rrrrrighttt... any way can XSI use it? it is very similer to maya. (They even have a maya to XSI tutorial)

No, as I said, only 3dsmax and maya.

And you can only use it for free with a special license - otherwise it'll cost you 900 big ones. And with a special license, you can only use it to modify models for the purpose that you purchased the license as stated when you sign the contract with CryTek.

www.planetquake.com/ezquake/bump.jpg

- Edited By carni On Wed 14th, Apr 2004 @ 4:40:19pm

Cgchat.com

This pimp clearly demonstrates normal maps.

"dude plz dont start telling people you get the SAME result from a 97,000 polyong model as the 840 polygon model , it just ISNT THE SAME . what they ARE ACHIEVEING , though is a higher quality of texture and lighting effects . cmon guys , the difference is obvious , dont start tellin people that its the same ." Actually they can come CLOSE to makeing a low poly model look high. Example:

And about this "higher quality of texture and lighting effects ". They are not creating higher quality textures, its a higher quality illusion of a bump map.

- Edited By operativex On Mon 19th, Apr 2004 @ 5:52:09pm
- Edited By operativex On Mon 19th, Apr 2004 @ 5:53:28pm