Starting with Normal Maps: HELP!

[Bode]

Hi guys,

I'm at the point where I need to be able to apply and view normal maps in 3ds max. What is the best way to do this? I'm completely new to normal maps so any help is much appreciated!

Cheers!

[Integrated]

Ok.. to start with I'll link you to Ben Mathis's Normal mapping tutorial:

http://www.poopinmymouth.com/tutorial/normal_workflow.htm

But also a quick explanation, Normal mapping is used to map a high poly object onto a low poly object. To do this you will need to sculpt a high poly model, if you are completely new then Zbrush is I think the most popular way of doing this. Once you have your low poly and high poly models (they don't have to be different subdivision level of the same model), make sure you've laid your UVs on the low poly model and then you can use a free program called Xnormal to create the normal map for you.

There are many other ways to do it, the tutorial above covers how do it in MAX alone, Zbrush also has it's own Normal mapping plugin called Zmapper, but Xnormal is a very easy to use and fuss free way.

[DreameR]

~ If I'm right Bode, you have your normal map but can't actually see it on the model in the viewport?

If that's the case go here: LINK (http://www.bencloward.com/resources_shaders.shtml)
and use the tutorial to download a shader so that you can see the normal map without having to hit 'render'.