Normal map creation
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One of the new features that can be used on our 3D models in FSX is the normal map, or sometimes also called bump map. This article will describe how to create the normal map texture that you can use on your model.
Bump mapping is a technique that makes a surface look uneven. For example a brick wall consisting of only one polygon, could look like it has been made of individual stones. If you would model that all in 3D it would require a lot more polygons. What the normal map does is adjust the local normal based on the value stored in the normal map, so instead of having the same normal for the entire polygon, now each pixel can have a different normal. That results in the uneven look.
Requirements
To follow the rest of this tutorial you need to make sure you have the following tools at hand:
- GMax or 3DSMax with the FSX gamepack installed
- A photo editing tool like Photoshop, Paintshop Pro or GIMP
- A normal map plugin (see the links section for links to get them)
Creating a grayscale height map
Creating a normal map
Saving in FSX format
Assigning to your model
Links
- Nvidia normal map plugin
- GIMP normal map plugin
- Creating and using normal maps - a tutorial
- Normal map photograpgy - a cool idea on how to create a normal map
