:siren:[highlight]You need photoshop for this tutorial[/highlight]:siren:
[u][b]Information[/b][/u]
I've never been a whizz at textures and normal maps took me a while to figure out, so if theres anybody like me who takes a while at learning stuff i figured i'd make a very easy to understand tutorial. If you do have any questions, don't worry about PMing me either on here or steam. If this goes down well, i may do some other tutorials, step by step. I'll probably sometime do another tutorial on using a normal map program, such as crazy bump and others but it's pretty much the same just with no photoshop.
[u][b]Tools needed[/b][/u]
[url=http://nemesis.thewavelength.net/index.php?c=178]VTFEdit[/url]
[url=http://developer.nvidia.com/object/photoshop_dds_plugins.html]NVIDIA NormalMap Plugin[/url]
[highlight]Click the image[/highlight]
[url=http://dl.dropbox.com/u/1650946/rtlrtr.png][img]http://dl.dropbox.com/u/1650946/rtlrtr.png[/img][/url]
[highlight]Click the image[/highlight]
:golfclap: Will come in handy next time I'm on a comp with Phoshop.
Nice tut, but if you're using VTFEdit, why not use that to make the normal map?
You can also do normals with crazy bump.
[QUOTE=~ZOMG;20553485]Nice tut, but if you're using VTFEdit, why not use that to make the normal map?[/QUOTE]
OP's way gets better results
[QUOTE=PermabannedGuy;20553532]OP's way gets better results[/QUOTE]
It looks pretty similar to me.
since when could VTFEdit make normal maps
Thanks for the tutorial mate, help a bunch.
[QUOTE=Not_Yet;20553624]since when could VTFEdit make normal maps[/QUOTE]
Import > Generate Normal Map.
[QUOTE=Not_Yet;20553624]since when could VTFEdit make normal maps[/QUOTE]
When you import an image you can just check the box "Generate Normal Map."
Edit: ^Damn you ~ZOMG
seems limited though, the photoshop plugin has much more options
[QUOTE=Gaybacon;20553908]When you import an image you can just check the box "Generate Normal Map."
Edit: ^Damn you ~ZOMG[/QUOTE]
:smug:
[editline]05:18PM[/editline]
How's it limited?
I mean, what would you want to edit on a normal map?
[QUOTE=~ZOMG;20553994]:smug:
[editline]05:18PM[/editline]
How's it limited?
I mean, what would you want to edit on a normal map?[/QUOTE]
The way provided in the tut has more options and is generally better, why are you so dead-set on defending VTFEdit
[QUOTE=PermabannedGuy;20554224]The way provided in the tut has more options and is generally better, why are you so dead-set on defending VTFEdit[/QUOTE]
I'm not, I just use it and think it's good.
Also, do you have some kind of problem with me?
[QUOTE=~ZOMG;20554251]I'm not, I just use it and think it's good.
Also, do you have some kind of problem with me?[/QUOTE]
VTFEdit is pretty poor as tools go.
The normal map creator is inferior to the method shown here, the vmt editor is inferior to the one in VIDE, the vtf creation algorithms have butchered the mipmaps on textures I've tried to make several times, forcing me to use vtex.exe anyway. All round I dislike the program greatly.
[QUOTE=~ZOMG;20554251]I'm not, I just use it and think it's good.
Also, do you have some kind of problem with me?[/QUOTE]
Half the mapping section does but nobody ever said anything
[QUOTE=~ZOMG;20553994]:smug:
[editline]05:18PM[/editline]
How's it limited?
I mean, what would you want to edit on a normal map?[/QUOTE]
you'd be suprised on what you can edit
[QUOTE=metallics;20554301]VTFEdit is pretty poor as tools go.
The normal map creator is inferior to the method shown here, the vmt editor is inferior to the one in VIDE, the vtf creation algorithms have butchered the mipmaps on textures I've tried to make several times, forcing me to use vtex.exe anyway. All round I dislike the program greatly.[/QUOTE]
VTFEdit is a pretty poor tool, but for what i used it for it was fine.
cheers for reminding me i needed to get vide too
Nice tut OP.
Another quick tip to strengthen your normalmaps in photoshop, make a duplicate layer or your normal map and set it's blendmode to overlay. You can then rinse and repeat the process to make the bumps on your normals more prevalent. If you only want to enhance the larger details of your textures then blur some of the overlay layers.
[b][u]Information[/b][/u]
Always been a fan of good lighting, sadly i've never tried anything to do with editing main files, until i decided i wanted a Sci-Fi type map with cool lighting. It's a pretty simple thing to do, but works very well when used.
[b][u]Tools needed[/b][/u]
[url=http://nemesis.thewavelength.net/index.php?p=26]GCFScape[/url]
[highlight]Click the image[/highlight]
[url=http://dl.dropbox.com/u/1650946/rrerr.png][img]http://dl.dropbox.com/u/1650946/rrerr.png[/img][/url]
[highlight]Click the image[/highlight]
Is it possible to make normal maps with GIMP?
[url]http://nifelheim.dyndns.org/~cocidius/normalmap/[/url]
not sure if it works
Good work, will there be any more of these?
[QUOTE=laserpanda;20569566]Is it possible to make normal maps with GIMP?[/QUOTE]
Yes, I've done it before.
[b][u]Information[/b][/u]
How to make a path_track and func_tracktrain, requested.
[b][u]Tools needed[/b][/u]
Source game, SDK
[highlight]Click the image[/highlight]
[url=http://dl.dropbox.com/u/1650946/rrerrtk.png][img]http://dl.dropbox.com/u/1650946/rrerrtk.png[/img][/url]
[highlight]Click the image[/highlight]
[b][u]Video[/b][/u]
[url]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4SxV_zemqTQ[/url]
This normal map tutorial is really... in-comprehensive. :/
[QUOTE=PermabannedGuy;20574461]Good work, will there be any more of these?[/QUOTE]
i'll try to cover as much as possible. if anybody has any requests feel free to tell
On the texture lighting tutorial, do you have to put the lights.rad back into the gcf after editing it? It isn't working for me.
[QUOTE=laserpanda;20590762]On the texture lighting tutorial, do you have to put the lights.rad back into the gcf after editing it? It isn't working for me.[/QUOTE]
No.
I got it working, sort of
Can it be used with $selfillum?, right now the light source is the darkest part of the room.
[IMG]http://screenshot.xfire.com/s/93339261-3.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://screenshot.xfire.com/s/93339269-3.jpg[/IMG]
Yes it can, and I recommend it.
Sorry, you need to Log In to post a reply to this thread.
