Normal Map tutorial for ETW?

**AmiR TimuR** · July 18, 2009, 07:20 AM

Hello guys,

I wanna do normal map for my new skin, I know how we do it at m2tw but when i do it for etw, i have realized that etw has different style normal map.

when we do normal map with m2tw style, will it work for etw? or is there any way to do it with etw style?

thank you

**AmiR TimuR** · July 22, 2009, 05:18 PM

Guys, is there no normal map tutorial for etw?

**erasmus777** · July 22, 2009, 08:11 PM

Originally Posted by AmiR TimuR

Guys, is there no normal map tutorial for etw?

Not that I'm aware of. I think it's easiest to cut/paste/clone on the vanilla ones as it's difficult to get the normal maps made by the plug-ins to look very good.

**Modestus** · July 23, 2009, 03:11 AM

I use adobe photoshop and I do all my textures in layers so if you understand what layers are this is what I do.

I make a copy of my textures psd file and then using the Adobe normal map filter I do each layer one by one. I can adjust the normal map filter settings for each layer but generally I use the same settings. (note to self must look at this more closely)

I then link those layers together and drag them onto the vanilla normal file appropriate for the model I am using.

So I end up with something like this.....

At this point you can smudge or smooth out some of your normals edges because each one is a different layer this is relatively easy, I use a vanilla normal as a guide for this. You can use adobe to blur some layers or you can do it yourself with the smudge tool. What ever works best for you.

I then flatten the image and turn the green layer all black.

Your next step is to click on the red layer and using your magic wand right click and select all, then in the top menu click on edit and in the drop down menu select define pattern. This will make the red layer a pattern that you can use next.

Click on the alpha channel and using your pattern tool (on the top menu for the pattern tool select the pattern you just made from the red channel) and paint this onto the alpha channel and save as

DXT5 ARGB 8 bpp | interpolated alpha

Your done.

Edit: Important Note, Looking on the net I discovered that if you are smudging cloning or generally working with your normal map you should before you save normalise the map. I think crazy bump does it automatically after you save not sure about the nvidia plug-in.

**Bladerunner** · July 23, 2009, 04:02 AM

Your new normals look quite good. Can you tell us about the settings for the normal filter you use? I only use as small pieces as possible from a self made normal, as don't look as smooth as the vanilla ones. Or is this the smudge tool, that better up quality (need to look what tool you mean, as i have a german version).

About the Alpha-Channel: I think it should be different from the red-Channel, so i use parts from the green-channel to alter the alpha-channel. I think think this is also done by CA putting the content of the green into the alpha and black out the green channel or am i wrong here?

**Modestus** · July 23, 2009, 06:49 AM

Originally Posted by Bladerunner

Your new normals look quite good. Can you tell us about the settings for the normal filter you use? I only use as small pieces as possible from a self made normal, as don't look as smooth as the vanilla ones. Or is this the smudge tool, that better up quality (need to look what tool you mean, as i have a german version).

About the Alpha-Channel: I think it should be different from the red-Channel, so i use parts from the green-channel to alter the alpha-channel. I think think this is also done by CA putting the content of the green into the alpha and black out the green channel or am i wrong here?

The important thing about my method is that I use the layers and most of the colour\ texture effects are done in the blending options so when I normalise the layer I am only using the base of that layer.

I will show you what I mean, I have hidden the background layer so you can see the arm layer. The textures are not drawn onto the arm but are put on in the blending options.

So if I want to normalise this layer I turn off the blending effects and this is what I am really normalising....

Nearly every layer I have has a base that is essentially black and white and smooth a bit like a pencil sketch.

So when I normalise this I get a much better appearance but I can also use these settings which almost certainly will not be suitable for a coloured layer.

Everybody should use the layers for the texturing but also for the normal maps even though I am just learning with the normal maps its much better to use layers there is just so much more you can do. For example the individual buttons in the screen shot above are all separate layers so not only can I normalise them separately, I can move them around, duplicate or change the colour with relative ease.

**~~ToonTotalWar~~** · July 23, 2009, 05:02 AM

This will help in reference to raised areas showing through on any units as well as amending the RGB file in Normal file:

1. Open any Normal file in Photoshop
2. go to the ALPHA 1 box in bottom right hand corner
3. RIGHT click on the ALPHA 1 and click on DUPLICATE
4. DO any amendments in the ALPHA 1 COPY and then when you are done
DELETE the original ALPHA 1
5. change name of ALPHA 1 COPY to ALPHA 1
6. Save and thats it!!

Hope this helps!!