Difference between revisions of "GIMP: Quality Normal Maps"
Updated introduction and various sections to be more generalized. Added links to more information on Normal Maps and GIMP. Fixed some minor grammer mistakes.
imported>Chuey |
imported>Chuey (Updated introduction and various sections to be more generalized. Added links to more information on Normal Maps and GIMP. Fixed some minor grammer mistakes.) |
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== Introduction == | == Introduction == | ||
This tutorial is the process used to create great looking Normal Maps using GIMP. Normal Maps created using this process are as close to the actual Bethesda style used in TES:Oblivion as currently possible. They will also render great looking image textures with high quality light reflection. This article's purpose is to provide a easy to follow step-by-step instruction to create these high quality Normal Maps. | |||
::For more information on what Normal Maps are go here: | |||
* Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Normal_mapping | |||
::For more information on what GIMP is go here: | |||
* GIMP.org http://www.gimp.org/ | |||
== Getting Started == | == Getting Started == | ||
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== Preparing Your Image == | == Preparing Your Image == | ||
You must first Merge Down all | You must first Merge Down all your layers into a single layer. Then rename this layer to ‘main surface’. | ||
* Image Window: Layer\Merge Down (repeat until only one (1) layer remains) | * Image Window: Layer\Merge Down (repeat until only one (1) layer remains) | ||
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* Image Window: Filters\Map\Normalmap… | * Image Window: Filters\Map\Normalmap… | ||
* Normalmap Window: Click ‘3D Preview’ button | * Normalmap Window: Click ‘3D Preview’ button | ||
* Normalmap-3D Preview Window: Hold Left Mouse Button over the preview window and drag upward so the Quad tilts back. | * Normalmap-3D Preview Window: Hold the Left Mouse Button over the preview window and drag upward so the Quad tilts back. | ||
* Click the light bulb icon at the top left (Rotate Light) | * Click the light bulb icon at the top left (Rotate Light) | ||
* Hold Left Mouse Button over the preview window and drag toward the lower right until you can see good shadow contrast. | * Hold the Left Mouse Button over the preview window and drag toward the lower right until you can see good shadow contrast. | ||
* Click the sphere icon next to the light bulb icon (Rotate Object) | * Click the sphere icon next to the light bulb icon (Rotate Object) | ||
* Normalmap Window: Options – Wrap – Add Checkmark | * Normalmap Window: Options – Wrap – Add Checkmark | ||
* Filter: Pull Down Menu – Select | * Filter: Pull Down Menu – Select ‘3x3’ | ||
* Scale: 6.00000 | * Scale: 6.00000 | ||
* Height source: Pull Down Menu – Select | * Height source: Pull Down Menu – Select ‘Alpha’ | ||
* Alpha channel: Default ‘Unchanged’ | * Alpha channel: Default ‘Unchanged’ | ||
* DU/DV map: Default ‘None’ | * DU/DV map: Default ‘None’ | ||
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* Choose the same directory as your original image. | * Choose the same directory as your original image. | ||
* Click Save | * Click Save | ||
* Save as TGA Window: Uncheck ‘RLE compression’ and Uncheck ‘Origin at bottom | * Save as TGA Window: Uncheck ‘RLE compression’ and Uncheck ‘Origin at bottom left’ | ||
* Click OK | * Click OK | ||
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DDS is the image format used by the Gamebryo Element Game Engine for texturing meshes. Your image files must be in the .dds format to render in the game. To avoid confusion and a debugging nightmare it’s HIGHLY RECOMMENDED that you follow the same directory structure as created by Bethesda when saving your image or mesh files. | DDS is the image format used by the Gamebryo Element Game Engine for texturing meshes. Your image files must be in the .dds format to render in the game. To avoid confusion and a debugging nightmare it’s HIGHLY RECOMMENDED that you follow the same directory structure as created by Bethesda when saving your image or mesh files. | ||
'''NOTE:''' ''We will not be using the DDS Export PlugIn that was installed into GIMP to convert our files to DDS format. Reason is that | '''NOTE:''' ''We will not be using the DDS Export PlugIn that was installed into GIMP to convert our files to DDS format. Reason is that problems have been seen with using the GIMP converter and it is HIGHLY RECOMMEND using an external converter. However, using the GIMP converter to import DDS files works fine.'' | ||
* Load DDS Converter 2.1: Start\All Programs\DDS Converter 2\DDS Converter 2.1 | * Load DDS Converter 2.1: Start\All Programs\DDS Converter 2\DDS Converter 2.1 | ||
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* Options Window: General\On success\cancel: Uncheck ‘Close DDS Converter 2’ | * Options Window: General\On success\cancel: Uncheck ‘Close DDS Converter 2’ | ||
* DDS\DXTc format: Choose DXT3 | * DDS\DXTc format: Choose DXT3 | ||
* DDS\Options: Checkmark ‘Build | * DDS\Options: Checkmark ‘Build mipmaps’ | ||
* DDS\Options: Number: 9 | * DDS\Options: Number: 9 | ||
* Click OK | * Click OK | ||
* Use the ‘Look In’ pull down menu to find the directory that your images are saved in. | * Use the ‘Look In’ pull down menu to find the directory that your images are saved in. | ||
* Choose your original image file name in the list box. | * Choose your original image file name in the list box. [Example: myimage.dds] | ||
* Check that the ‘Output format:’ Says ‘DirectDraw Surface (*.dds) | * Check that the ‘Output format:’ Says ‘DirectDraw Surface (*.dds)’ | ||
* Click Convert | * Click Convert | ||
* Progress Window: Click Restart | * Progress Window: Click Restart | ||
* Choose | * Choose your _n.tga file name in the list box. [Example: myimage_n.dds] | ||
* Click Convert | * Click Convert | ||
* Progress Window: Click Close | * Progress Window: Click Close | ||
'''CONGRATULATIONS!''' | '''CONGRATULATIONS!''' Your original image and Normal Map have been converted to .dds format and they are ready to be applied to a mesh. Search this Wiki for tutorials on skinning meshes if you need help with that topic. | ||
== Appendix == | == Appendix == | ||
You can create deeper or shallower textures in the Normalmap Window adjusting the various parameters. I suggest you play around with them to see what they do. | You can create deeper or shallower textures in the Normalmap Window by adjusting the various parameters. I suggest you play around with them to see what they do. Below is a brief explanation of how they will effect your Normal Map. | ||
'''Filters:''' | '''Filters:''' | ||
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* 7x7 – Smoother. Use for cloth and furniture. | * 7x7 – Smoother. Use for cloth and furniture. | ||
* 9x9 – Very Smooth. – Use for polished metal and gems. | * 9x9 – Very Smooth. – Use for polished metal and gems. | ||
* Sobel – | * Sobel – Not used. | ||
* Prewitt – | * Prewitt – Not used. | ||
'''Minimum Z:''' The lowest texture height. | '''Minimum Z:''' The lowest texture height. Increase this to set the minimum height on the Normal Map. | ||
'''Scale:''' This is the biggest factor in creating texture depth. 1-2 is smooth, 5-8 medium, 10 – 15 rough. | '''Scale:''' This is the biggest factor in creating texture depth. 1-2 is smooth, 5-8 medium, 10 – 15 rough. | ||
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'''Options:''' | '''Options:''' | ||
* Wrap – ALWAYS USE THIS for textures that will be wrapped to a mesh. | * Wrap – ALWAYS USE THIS for textures that will be wrapped to a mesh. | ||
* Invert X/Invert Y – | * Invert X/Invert Y – These invert the shading on the specified axis. Selecting both of these will fix a texture that seems to be inside out. | ||
* Swap RGB – | * Swap RGB – Not used on Alpha Channels. | ||