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The power of normal mapping [update 30.08.06]

Posted: Fri Aug 25, 2006 5:33 pm
by firebird
I did just another test to get a bit more familiar with normal mapping. I was testing if a simple plain sphere with a normal map can cause true reflections. So I ended up with tihs picture.

Image

it is just a plane sphere, with a modification (inverted mapping in x) of KABEs mothers soap material ( I hope you don´t mind using it ) and we get some very nice caustics.

;)

I will do some more tests the next days!

Posted: Fri Aug 25, 2006 5:38 pm
by Leonardo
don't tell us... it took you another 5min on you Conroe :roll: :wink:

leo

Posted: Fri Aug 25, 2006 5:52 pm
by firebird
Leonardo wrote:don't tell us... it took you another 5min on you Conroe :roll: :wink:

leo
no I did this at work (G5 imac, 2.1 GHz) while drawing some stupid hotelrooms!

but I give it go back at home on my conroe for 5 mins , just to annoy you! LOL! no just kidding! ;)

[edit]

hi leo! this is just for you! 5mins on my connie

Image

:twisted:

Posted: Fri Aug 25, 2006 9:03 pm
by Leonardo
:shock: :mrgreen: I'm green of envy :lol:

leo

BTW
I need some tips on how to explain my bosses that my new AMD 62x +4200 is obsolete and I need a new one :lol:

Posted: Fri Aug 25, 2006 11:31 pm
by RonB
firebird,
I don't have a clue about Normal Mapping...I didn't think Maxwell could do Normal Maps. Could you possibly do a short tut or 'how to' on the subject?

Thanks,
Ron

Posted: Sat Aug 26, 2006 12:09 am
by Leonardo
simple, select a normal map image instead of a bump map and click the icon on the right (the normal map icon :wink: )

after that, the value for bump maps has no effect...

leo

Posted: Sat Aug 26, 2006 2:11 am
by RonB
Thanks Leonardo, sounds simple enough...Now I just have to figure out how to make a Normal Map!

Cheers, Ron

Posted: Sat Aug 26, 2006 2:28 am
by Maximus3D
Try this.. it's free and it works fine :)

Grab Gimp...
http://www.gimp.org/windows/

..and grab it's normalmap plugin...
http://registry.gimp.org/plugin?id=4485

Install, run and convert any picture or photo into a normalmap.

/ Max

Posted: Sat Aug 26, 2006 7:07 am
by ivox3
Leonardo wrote: I need some tips on how to explain my bosses that my new AMD 62x +4200 is obsolete and I need a new one :lol:
I'd tell him that my new AMD 62x +4200 is obsolete and I need a new one. :P

If that doesn't work, ......plan B:

Oh just tell him that lengthy client render changes will be a snap and then never mention that again after getting the new box or just deny ever saying it. :lol:

Posted: Sat Aug 26, 2006 9:16 am
by kraemerJK
Oh just tell him that lengthy client render changes will be a snap and then never mention that again after getting the new box or just deny ever saying it
Just be careful that he did not have his dictaphone or whatever gizmo running while you say it. Bosses tend to have memories like elephants when it comes to stuff like that......

Posted: Sat Aug 26, 2006 6:28 pm
by firebird
RonB wrote:Thanks Leonardo, sounds simple enough...Now I just have to figure out how to make a Normal Map!

Cheers, Ron
I use this plug in for photoshop

http://developer.nvidia.com/object/phot ... ugins.html

Haven´t worked it out to the full extend, but so far it is alright! you also can render normal maps, but I haven´t tried this yet!

we will see! ;)

Posted: Sat Aug 26, 2006 8:59 pm
by RonB
Hey Thanks for the plugins guys!

Ron

Posted: Wed Aug 30, 2006 12:29 am
by firebird
hi leo!

here is another 5mins on my connie

Image

;)

Posted: Thu Aug 31, 2006 3:13 am
by b-kandor
Hi Firebird,

I'm in the market for a new system with either a e6300 or 6600. If you have your system specs handy I would love to take a look. I'm assuming your quite happy with it?

Thanks,

Kandor

Posted: Thu Aug 31, 2006 9:59 am
by firebird
Hi kandor!

yep I am very very happy with my new system :D :D :D

I don´t know whether to go for a 6300 or 6600?

what you have to by at least is the asus or intel mobo with the i975x chipset ranging around 200 euros and fitting RAM 2GB around 180-220 euros depends on latencies and MHz.

the e6300 is half the price of the 6600, but if you want to go for a little more speed I would buy the e6600.

mine is running @ 3.12 MHz = 30% OC and is absolutley fine concerning stability and temperatures. (all bios settings are auto)

definetly all the conroes rule at the moment, there´s nothing comperable!

:wink: