Lesson 4: Normal and Specular Maps

[Professor420]

Here is the Download Link:

This tutorial goes over taking the Diffuse texture from Lesson 3, and turning it into Normal and Specular maps. This does not teach many new artistic skills but there is important required reading so you know what you are doing.
http://twc.robg3d.com/tutorials/photoshopTutorial_4.zip
The PSD files for all the tutorials can be downloaded from:
http://twc.robg3d.com/tutorials/photoshopTutorial_PSD.zip
The FX shader for 3dsmax used in the tutorial can be downloaded from:
http://twc.robg3d.com/tutorials/normal.fx.zip

This tutorial is just over 30 minutes long.

Assignment:
Read the assigned reading. Then take the texture you created in Assignment 3, and go through the process laid out in the Tutorial, creating normal and specular maps. Then, post a render of your material (how to do so is shown in the tutorial), and upload your diffuse, normal, and specular maps. If you do not have a 3d modeling program, just upload your texture files to show me.

I will make a thread tomorrow to post the screenshot and 3 texture images in. After that, I will make a thread detailing the final assignment for the class.

Please post any questions pertaining to the assignment or class in this thread.

Resources:
Please read the following:
http://www.modwiki.net/wiki/Texturing#Diffuse_maps
http://www.modwiki.net/wiki/Texturing#Bump_maps
http://www.modwiki.net/wiki/Texturing#Specular_maps
http://www.twcenter.net/wiki/Shaders

You will need to download and install the DDS/Normal Map plugin from nVidia:
http://www.nvidia.com/object/photoshop_dds_plugins.html

Once you go through the process of creating a heightmap/normal map by hand, you can try CrazyBump which does a good job of automating the task.

[Arakorn-eir]

I think you should extend the time available to 2 weeks. Personally I'm quite busy now, and as it's summer I've gotten a job, so my computer free time pretty much gets divided up between forum reading (), this and modding FATW. And occasional playing games, when I'm bored.

[Professor420]

I'll take your advice, and extend it to Monday. But I want assignments turned in.

[Arakorn-eir]

Gah, week 30 it is for me. Can't get it done the incoming week either. (But I'll double-work then )

[Professor420]

Goddamn it, I just recorded and compressed the tutorial, for some reason the middle 10 minutes is cut out from static. I'll try to get it re-done and uploaded tommorrow morning/afternoon. Apologies for the delay. The other links work in the meantime.

[Professor420]

Alright the tutorial should be uploaded. I also added a link for the Adobe Photoshop Normal Mapping plugin from nVidia to the original post. If there are any questions just post here.

[Roman_Man#3]

so, if we don't want to use the texture from tutorial 3, we can use the one you made?

[Hattori]

http://twc.robg3d.com/tutorials/normal.fx.zip

^ this link is not working for me.

[Professor420]

It seems to be working for me. Maybe my site was down when you tried.

Roman Man: Yes you can use the maps though I suggest you use your own.