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FSX Normal Map Problem

Peter Hornfeck

Peter Hornfeck

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210
Country
germany
Maybe someone can help. I made a Normal Map with Gimp. Next I used the MCX texture converter and made a FSX Normal Map. Everything seems fine, but when I add the normal map to my model and convert it, triangles on the faces are showing a divided surface.
How can I prevent this? My model is made with SKU, not Gmax. The normal map is added in MCX.
Thanks
 
Could you say the format of the GIMP Normal Map? Presumably you imported that into SketchUp and performed UV mapping there? And then after exporting the .dae from SketchUp, you modified the original Normal Map in MCX? What are the formats you are using? Can you show examples?
 
Terminal.png
In SKU I use a diffuse map only, png format. With Gimp I made a normal map in png format also from the diffuse map:
Terminal_Bump.png


Then I use MCX to convert it into FSX Format:
Terminal_NOrm.png

And I saved it as DDS file, format DXT5 with MCX with the texture converter.
Next I load my SKU model in MCX and add the DXT5 Normal Map in the Bump Slot. Everything looks fine, but in FSX the triangles are breaking the diffuse texture and it looks like the normal map would be in inverted at some triangles of faces.
 
OK, I think I know what is happening. This is just a guess, but it sounds like you are making adjustments to the texture mapping in SketchUp, is this correct? And when you make these adjustments, you have to be very careful to use only the red and blue pins. The reason for this is that the texture mapping can account for some linear scaling, in the example of the 2:1 texture size ratio. The yellow pin skews the texture in such a way that SU has to create a new texture upon compilation. At this point the texture is unique and any edits of the previous version will map differently onto the model.

The other very strong possibility is that the .DDS textures simply were not flipped top to bottom as part of the procedural conversion.
 
Thank you for help.
After exporting the model with SKU, I get only the terminal.png in the folder. There is no other texture. But could it be, the texture is not aligned correctly in the model? I thought, then SKU would export the new textures, for example, terminal1.png, terminal2.png .... And this files are not unique. But there are no such files.
The dds texture seems flipped. I tried to flip it in MCX during save as DDS and with a png file, I flipped it (include Alpha) in DXTBmp and save it as DDS DXT5. There seems no difference.
I put the dds file into the terminal norm.zip.
 

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What are you using as the texture within SKU... are they all within the same texture sheet, like above?

Can you show pictures what's happen within SKU and MCX?

What is suppose to be on the top of the texture? The bricks? or the windows?
 
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Yes, only one texture for the building.
Oh, maybe thats the reason, I will try without mipmaps and report whats the result.
 
Pyscen said:
Ok,... @Peter Hornfeck,...

Normal/Bump Maps do not need Mipmaps,...
Click to expand...

To be accurate nothing actually needs mipmaps in order to be displayed.
But in order to avoid moiré effects when looking from a distance everything - including the bump maps - needs mip maps.


@Peter Hornfeck
I encountered this issue as well but depending on which graphics card was used
the triangle division was either visible or not.
May I know which GPU you are using?
 
Gigabyte Geforce GTX 650 Ti. But it should work on every computer. With other sceneries, for example flytampa, I never had this problem and they also use normal maps. So they do something better:scratchch and I do not know what it is.
fsscr044.png
 
Hm, when I compare in MCX in wire mode, I can see, there are lines on the faces, which are not in Sketchup and the texture is divided exactly a this lines.
 
Peter Hornfeck said:
Hm, when I compare in MCX in wire mode, I can see, there are lines on the faces, which are not in Sketchup and the texture is divided exactly a this lines.
Click to expand...
that's where the face is split into triangles.

Also I see the normal map is inverse on some of the tris.
Still curious why :scratchch
 
Is it possible for you to send me the SKU model to me via email along with the textures? This way I could try to either duplicate what's happening or correct It? It's up to you...
 
Yes, it will be only freeware and a little bit trial and error, I will send to you.
I also use a specular map, can this be the reason?
 
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No,... the specular map couldn't be the problem,... its something within the model itself I believe.

Zip up the SKU file and textures and send to: pyscen at gmail dot com,...

if you have to split the SKU file and textures into 2 parts.
 
For those following this post...

Peter had sent the SKU skp file to me,...

What I did was resaved within SketchUp 2016 and then exported to a ".dae" file. I loaded the ".dae" file into MCX (using the latest version) then placed the textures, which he had given me (all were in dds file format) accordingly within MCX. Everything appeared correctly with no triangular splits or reverse mapping of the normal/bump maps. He has told me that on his computer everything looked fine with the model I had sent back to him,...

Though, when he installed SketchUp 2017 (the latest version) and did the same,... He still had the triangular splits, etc,...

The only thing I could guess what the problem is,... maybe a graphics driver issue,... I don't know,...
 
could be an export option he is using unintentionally ?
By the way Pyscen thanks for the tutorials. I will have to read a Little because I have objects to texture, and wanted to apply especualar, reflection bump maps, etc. I had to search a lot to find something usefull. above all the specular matter.
Have you thouhgt about writte a tutorial for Cubemaps creation, it will close the texturing matter and cover almost all about textures
 
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Hello @Tejal Bernardo,...

Actually the settings for me, when placing the dds files in their proper slot,... MCX reads the dds files and changes accordingly,... I didn't have to change any of the settings at all. I can't answer for Peter though, if he changed anything or not. But if what I sent him and he didn't see any side effects,.. its something either from his graphics card or driver maybe,.. or something else. If anyone else has this problem,... if they would include the option settings within MCX. The settings for SketchUp when Exporting to a dae file, should be this:

dae_export.png
 
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