Seeking Maya glow map and usage infos

alexk

I'm using Maya 2008 and I'm trying to learn about glow maps. Google gave me a decent tutorial on setting up a layered shader ( http://www.swinburne.edu.au/design/tutorials/maya/texturing-glowing-texture-elements-maya-tutorial/46_Glowing%20Textures.html )

However, when I apply my layered shader to my object, my object does not show the diffuse texture in my viewport, it only shows when I do renders. It also only shows the glow during renders and not in real time viewport.

So, I'm wondering, is using the layered shader the only way to apply my glow maps? Is there a way to have real time glow effects in Maya 2008 viewport? Any other glow map infos to help guide a noob? thanks..

Kawe

As far as I know the Maya glow is a post process effect so it won't show up. Im guessing it should be possible to get it showing but I don't know how. Uhm.. I didn't watch the tutorial too closely but why is he making a layered shader? Cant he just map that black and white image to the glow?

Eric Chadwick

This viewport shader has an emissive component...
Free Maya/max cgfx/fx Shader
...which is one way to do a glow effect, although it does not actually change the silhouette of the model.

Illusions

Also if you want to use the regular shaders to create glow, the property is called "Incandescence", but then you have to check "Glow" in the special effects section of the shader attributes and set its size. This glow is however a post process like kawe said, and it's size will be the same size always, no matter how far or close you are to the object.

alexk

thnx for the suggestions.. I like that CGFX shader but not really liking how it only uses 1 light source. well.. rats! I guess I better start learning how to import my stuff into Unreal

Eric Chadwick

Though you can fake two opposing lights (and then some) with the BRDF bitmap. It's really pretty cool, and a lot of fun.