Rendering Normalmaps in Max8...

chrisdekitchen

Hey, I was wondering if there's some effective method for rendering and displaying normalmaps in 3dsMax8? Some plugin maybe? I tried using a material with a dx9 normalmap shader on it, the problem is that I lose all parameters for the diffuse map that I put on it. And it can only handle one light at a time.

I'm currently in the process of texturing my model and I need to be able to see how the normalmap affects the model while I'm doing it somehow. So that I can follow the curves and twists of the NM.

If anyone got a good workflow for this or some tool that might help I'd really appreciate to hear about it. Cya around.

EarthQuake

Ben has a good 3 light normal map shader on his site http://www.monitorstudios.com/bcloward/resources_shaders.html

chrisdekitchen

Ok, thanks mate. I tried his simple NM shader and it worked better than the one I found in max. I can't seem to render it though. Are there any shaders NM shaders out there that are renderable too? I'm running directx 8 and I think that might be causing some problems for me. Old laptop graphics card.

Edit/ Oh yeah, I tried his 3point lighting one but the model simply disappeared, I think it's a dx9 thing...

EarthQuake

Yeah most likely dx9 shader... If you want to render all you have to do is apply a material and add it as a bump map, select normal bump when it asks for material type and select your texture... Then set up diffuse/spec maps/etc maps

chrisdekitchen

Ok, thx.

oXYnary

Updating to dx9 may still help with some of your problems also.