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http://img101.imageshack.us/img101/2206/moddw3.jpg Author: pheonix[illusion] Original thread: How to make a normal file How to make a normal texture file What is normal map (common as normal bump map)? Normal bump map is a texture in the game which gives you more details on your model, without making extra polygons. It gives your unit "bumps" on parts of their clothes, so that it looks more realistic. It also gives shines and light on parts where you need (f.e. sword, helmets, armor) What is the difference between texture with and without changes normal map? Unit without changed normal map: Spoiler Alert, click show to read: http://img5.imageshack.us/img5/5759/75397681.jpg Unit with changed normal map Spoiler Alert, click show to read: http://img64.imageshack.us/img64/953/yesng.jpg This is a small tutorial for making a normal textures Please backup your files and make sure that you have Adobe Photoshop First of all, you have to convert texture to dds. You have to have Nvidia plug-ins for photoshop I used mtw2_ee_peasant_poland and mtw2_ee_peasant_poland_normal as example. Copy those files into your folder (My Unit or something) and make sure that those are converted files (.dds extension) This is an example. Part 1: Normal Bump Step 1. Open mtw2_ee_peasant_poland from your folder and change it in whatever you want, make your texture. For example this is mine Spoiler Alert, click show to read: http://img687.imageshack.us/img687/8319/76064129.jpg When you are finished save it in case of a backup Step 2. Then, go to layers panel, right click on any layer, and flatten the whole image. Spoiler Alert, click show to read: http://img687.imageshack.us/img687/7703/45511724.jpg Step 3. Use Marquee Select Tool, and select the whole layer Like this Spoiler Alert, click show to read: http://img703.imageshack.us/img703/2466/65603898.jpg Pres Ctrl+C for copy Step 4. Now open mtw2_ee_peasant_poland_normal from your folder, and paste the selected image (Ctrl+V) Now, flatten the whole image like in Step 2 (in this case you flatten the layer in mtw2_ee_peasant_poland_normal) Step 5. After flatting, go to Filter>NVIDIA Tools>NormalMapFilter Like this Spoiler Alert, click show to read: http://img708.imageshack.us/img708/5120/63734717.jpg Put options like this (if you want smaller bump, decrease scale number, i like using 18) Spoiler Alert, click show to read: http://img585.imageshack.us/img585/1631/49137687.jpg You should get layer like this Spoiler Alert, click show to read: http://img822.imageshack.us/img822/2743/13878729.jpg This should be it for Normal Bump, now do Part 2 for shines and lightnings (Alpha Channel) And remember, we are working in mtw2_ee_peasant_poland_normal from the Step 4. not mtw2_ee_peasant_poland (it is used only in three first steps) Part 2: Alpha channels Step 1 Still working in same mtw2_ee_peasant_poland_normal Open Channels panel, and press Alpha 1 (it should be black, with some white parts) Spoiler Alert, click show to read: http://img717.imageshack.us/img717/92/65464828.jpg Step 2 Press Ctrl+V to paste flatten image from Part 1, Step 3. (If it does not paste, copy once Part 1, Step 3, and get back to this Part and Step) It should look like this Spoiler Alert, click show to read: http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/3736/81981629.jpg Step 3 Now go to Image>Adjustment>Level Spoiler Alert, click show to read: http://img201.imageshack.us/img201/3408/97556804.jpg Adjust it like you want. Dark parts won't have any lightnings and shines, while white will. I use these options Spoiler Alert, click show to read: http://img138.imageshack.us/img138/4641/63532396.jpg Step 4 Some parts are still white (like heads, white clothes). They should not have any reflection and shine Spoiler Alert, click show to read: http://img200.imageshack.us/img200/8256/17755058.jpg Cover it with black color, so that it does not have any reflection Spoiler Alert, click show to read: http://img232.imageshack.us/img232/12/81320013.jpg Part 3: Saving As for saving, go to File>Save as... and select .dds format mtw2_ee_peasant_poland_normal should be saved Use DXT5 for saving options (If not, Alpha Channel won't be there, and you'll have problems in the game) Spoiler Alert, click show to read: http://img222.imageshack.us/img222/915/79836332.jpg And that should be it! Normal texture is finished! WARNING: Sometimes Photoshop deletes Alpha Channel eve if you save as DXT5, so if you have that problem, try opening that saved file, and making new Alpha Channel (if it is deleted by Photoshop) If there is a question, just ask. If there is something you don't understand, just ask.
