UE4 and standard texturing workflow

Veezen

Hi! Is there any chance to import textures to UE4 which were created using specular workflow?

Let's take this model for example from racer445. You can found here texture sheet.
http://racer445.com/ivansm4.html

I can't see how this could work in UE4 PBR because of colors on specular map. This model was probably made for different purpose (engine) but I just wonder is there some kind of way to "convert" these textures for PBR (maybe that sound stupid but I asking seriously) I have few models which were made using similar method and I would like to use them in UE4 and I don't wan't to change these textures again

Tzur_H

yes you can convert D/S/N to PBR, read article below. I think you could also try Bitmap2Material by Allegorithmic which basically does the same as written in the article but in a more automated fashion (?)
http://www.marmoset.co/toolbag/learn/pbr-conversion

Veezen

Yes, I know about this. I had hope that there is a nice trick which allows you to use standard specular workflow without editing textures.

It would be great to have option between pbr and standard method (like shaders in Unity 5)

fangazza

Probably this, awesome, document from Allegorithmic will help you: https://www.allegorithmic.com/pbr-guide

Arnage

UE4 also comes with a material function to automate this. It will take a diffuse and specular map and convert it to be used with unreal's PBR system.

However, it's hidden by default. You can find it here:
- Turn on "show engine content" in your content browser view settings
- Brose to Engine>Functions>Engine_MaterialFunctions01
- Grab ConvertFromSpec and use it in your materials

Tzur_H

Arnage wrote: »

UE4 also comes with a material function to automate this. It will take a diffuse and specular map and convert it to be used with unreal's PBR system.

However, it's hidden by default. You can find it here:
- Turn on "show engine content" in your content browser view settings
- Brose to Engine>Functions>Engine_MaterialFunctions01
- Grab ConvertFromSpec and use it in your materials

That's awesome, thanks!

Veezen

@Arnage
Well, that's something I didn't know and I will definetly use it
PBR is really great thing, but sometimes I feel limited by rules. I thought that I need to fix my textures using external software AGAIN because I use UE4.

Rooster128

Its awesome UE4 lets us do PBR, but I agree I feel like theres too much of a reliance on it- and less of an emphasis on custom shaders / "traditional" shaders

ZacD

The nice thing about PBR though is there's really only 2 standards, and the variation between different implementations is minimal. With "traditional" shaders and textures, the same asset could look completely different in multiple engines.