Read This Page and See

Looks pretty neat, looks like it works well.

"If I see that damn teapot one more time....”

3ds Max 6.5 - Max 2012
Windows 7 Intel Quadcore 2.13 GHZ 64-Bit
4 GB RAM

My Website: http://drmoore3d.com

What’s the difference between that and Normal Map?  I may be wrong, but I think the page is either very old, or it’s referring to Normal Bump Map and calling it “Surface Solution Map.”

E. K. Anna Hennequet [FA]

If you read further down, it tells you that this map is different than a normal bump map. Standard bump maps only save information on the Z-Plane, this one apparently saves it on Z,X,Y. It makes sense that on a bumpy surface, not all bumps are aligned to the Z-plane of an object, the bumps go in different directions.

"If I see that damn teapot one more time....”

3ds Max 6.5 - Max 2012
Windows 7 Intel Quadcore 2.13 GHZ 64-Bit
4 GB RAM

My Website: http://drmoore3d.com

Hi Syndicate5. :)

In case you misunderstood, I meant normal maps as bump maps, not normal (usual), bump maps.  I may be wrong, but I’m still not convinced that the site is talking about something different from normal maps. I’m just a bit skeptical.  :cheese:

E. K. Anna Hennequet [FA]

You might be right. Im not too familiar with normal maps and I think I should be. Im going to read up on them.

"If I see that damn teapot one more time....”

3ds Max 6.5 - Max 2012
Windows 7 Intel Quadcore 2.13 GHZ 64-Bit
4 GB RAM

My Website: http://drmoore3d.com

Syndicate5 09 April 2008 09:23 PM

You might be right. Im not too familiar with normal maps and I think I should be. Im going to read up on them.

In that case, I can recommend a few links: :)

Ben Cloward on Normal Mapping - May have some outdated info

Ben Mathis Normal Map Workflow - May have some outdated info

Ryan Clark’s Normal Map Photography

I’ll also post Alan Noon’s post from pre-AREA days, which I think has useful information. :) I’ll have to chop it up because AREA forums impose character limit.  :-/

E. K. Anna Hennequet [FA]

Ive read through his definitions of normal mapping. To me it seems like normal mapping only benefits real-time rendering? Like in video games. Does normal mapping benefit 3D art?

"If I see that damn teapot one more time....”

3ds Max 6.5 - Max 2012
Windows 7 Intel Quadcore 2.13 GHZ 64-Bit
4 GB RAM

My Website: http://drmoore3d.com

Syndicate5 10 April 2008 05:34 AM

Ive read through his definitions of normal mapping. To me it seems like normal mapping only benefits real-time rendering? Like in video games. Does normal mapping benefit 3D art?

Games certainly benefit the most, but I don’t see why one can’t benefit from normal mapping in 3D art when used as bump mapping.

If you have objects that are mid to low resolution that aren’t up close, and you don’t want to spend too much on polys, then it would be a perfect thing to use. You wouldn’t want to use it by itself on something that is up close and needs to show a lot of details, but one can certainly use it in addition to Displacement mapping. It’s similar to the way grayscale bump maps are used, but you’ll have more channels for bump info and will yield a much better look than traditional bump maps.

Below is a link to my brief reply to another thread about the topic.
http://area.autodesk.com/for...mal-vs-displacement-maps/

Cheers. :)

E. K. Anna Hennequet [FA]

Thanks ekah. Ill keep this info in mind.

"If I see that damn teapot one more time....”

3ds Max 6.5 - Max 2012
Windows 7 Intel Quadcore 2.13 GHZ 64-Bit
4 GB RAM

My Website: http://drmoore3d.com

(There was this bit of news on “Realism Of Computer Games Dramatically Improved With New Modeling Of Light,” -those dern soft shadows :) ; http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080229130355.htm March 4th)