How is this Normal Map created?

tolls

Hey guys,

I've a qucik question about this model here:

http://www.behance.net/gallery/Middle-Eastern-Hut/2297086

I know the details have been sculpted in Mudbox, but how has that much detail been added to the brickwork normal? Is it a really clever use of generating displacement maps from the diffuse, then baking normals? But even so, I can't see how that much detail can be achieved? The only other thing I can think of is that it's been sculptured by hand and then a diffuse created based on it, but that must be insanely difficult!?

Thanks

Wahlgren

Probably a detail normalmap.

http://udn.epicgames.com/Three/MaterialBasics.html#Detail Normal Map

Eric Chadwick

Looks like it's just a large texture, 2048 or 4096. Some closeups on the artist's site.

Though it's generally better to go with 1024s and detail textures, because those huge bitmaps mean a huge memory cost, in most game engines.

http://timspanjer.com/hut.html

tolls

Thanks for the replies guys.:thumbup:

timspanjer

Good call guys!
@Wahlgren - I am using a detail normal map to get those fine details. It's just a simple noise pattern that just tiles.

All of the larger details were sculpted and baked down using xNormal.
@tolls - let me know if you need more info.

McGreed

Yeah, I saw it and was thinking that its actually 'easy' to get a material that is over a large area, and then just have detail normal map to give some details. It's easier with that kind of materials, stone and such, but I was wondering how you would get around it with wood or metal.