Howto:Use the normal map effect in aircraft: Difference between revisions

(Create simple howto for normal map effect)
 
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# Adjust the opacity of the new layer so you can see the texture underneath. This layer will be a height map, with black representing low points, and white representing very raised points. So, at the moment the entire height map is at sea level.
# Adjust the opacity of the new layer so you can see the texture underneath. This layer will be a height map, with black representing low points, and white representing very raised points. So, at the moment the entire height map is at sea level.
# Now use whatever painting technique you wish to draw the height. If you want well-defined edges, draw using a sharp-edged tool.
# Now use whatever painting technique you wish to draw the height. If you want well-defined edges, draw using a sharp-edged tool.
[[Image:normalmap1.png|thumb|frame|Height Map with original texture]]
# Once you are satisfied with your height map, delete the background layer, increase the opacity back to 100% and save it as a new file.
# Once you are satisfied with your height map, delete the background layer, increase the opacity back to 100% and save it as a new file.
# Now we need to convert the height map to a normal map. To do this, use Filters->Map->Normalmap. If this is not present, you haven't installed the normalmap plugin as described above.
# Now we need to convert the height map to a normal map. To do this, use Filters->Map->Normalmap. If this is not present, you haven't installed the normalmap plugin as described above.
# The default options will work fine. However, the author of the plugin recommends the Prewitt 5x5 filter. Once you are happy with the options, press OK, and your image should turn generally blue, but with some strange colours around the areas that you coloured white. This is the normal map.
# The default options will work fine. However, the author of the plugin recommends the Prewitt 5x5 filter. Once you are happy with the options, press OK, and your image should turn generally blue, but with some strange colours around the areas that you coloured white. This is the normal map.
# Save off the normal map as a new png file in your aircraft directory, remembering the correct path.
# Save off the normal map as a new png file in your aircraft directory, remembering the correct path.
[[Image:normalmap2.png|thumb|frame|Final normal map]]


==Creating the Normal Map Effect==
==Creating the Normal Map Effect==