crazybump normal maps
DESCRIPTION
In this CrazyBump quick tutorial we'll show you how to create a normal map from a texture. This normal map can be used in game engines like Unity and Unreal Engine to create realistic textures with no performance hit. CrazyBump is a powerful tool that can take your bland textures to the next level and we'll show you how.TRANSCRIPT
Creating Normal Maps with Crazy Bump
What is a Normal Map?
Taken from Wikipedia
Normal mapping used to re-detail simplified meshes. In 3D computer graphics, normal mapping, or "Dot3 bump mapping", is a technique used for faking the lighting of bumps and dents – an implementation of bump mapping. It is used to add details without using more polygons.
DIFFUSE MAP NORMAL MAP
Downloading Textures
You’ll need a good clean texture to start off.
Something bumpy with clearly defined areas of
high and low points
Check out http://cgtextures.com for textures like these
Now open up CrazyBump and select the Open folder(Mac version being used here)
CrazyBump is Available for Windows and Mac
http://www.crazybump.com/
Select “Open photograph from file”
Then select the texture that you want to use
The black portions represent the lowest portions (like crevices) while the white portions represent the highest areas (tops of tiles)
Select the image that best represents the “highs and lows” of your texture the best
I picked this one but either would be fine in this case
Once you’ve selected the shape you’ll come to the mixer settings for our normal map
along with a preview of normal map
Normal Map Mixer
*Note each tab represents a different type of map. Normals is selected by default
Play with the slider settings to get something you like
Often times the default settings look good
The preview settings allow you to select a box, sphere and
column
To save your normal map select the Save button at the bottom
Select Save normals to file
Map Settings and Saving to File
Click to change 3d Preview model
You should now have a Normal Map file saved in your folder
You can use this normal map to create realistic texturing of objects with no added geometry to 3d objects which will result in increased performance. You can combine
this with a number of maps like specular, height, and diffuse maps for even more realism.
Watch this video Crazy Bump Normal Maps in Unity
Want to learn how to use Crazy Bump with Unity?
Find more Game Development Tutorials at Xenosmash Games
Hope you enjoyed this tutorial!