Applying normal, specular map in 3d max

Gerbeiter

I have one object and diffuse map, normal map and specular map. How could I apply these maps to the object to see ethg in viewport? Should I use standard material and add materials to the slots and use 'Show Hardware map in viewport' (but when I'm doing this, my object is whole black) or maybe I should use DirectX Shader (and which shader?)? what is the difference?

MoP

Try the DirectX Shader material, and use the "StandardFX.fx" file (it's the most common one with diffuse/normal/spec stuff). Then you can just assign your textures as needed, it should all show up in the viewport.

The DirectX Shader material tends to be a lot faster (and I think less memory intensive?) than the Show Hardware Map in Viewport method.

You could download a custom shader which supports more effects (Xoliul here did one, and CrazyButcher ported Brice Vandemoortele's shader from Maya to Max), but mostly the StandardFX.fx shader will do what you need easily.

Gerbeiter

Ok cool, but what is a Top diffuse and Bottom diffuse? where shoud I put my one diffuse map ?

MoP

Yeah I never understood that Top/Bottom thing
I just put the map in whichever one works

Xoliul

MoP, I do think the Max default shader is really sub-standard, looks really ugly most of the time. That's why I wrote an alternative.

Taylor Hood

Not really hard.The main ones are
Diffuse - color map
Spec - Specular maps
Bump > normal bump > bitmap > (then select your normal map )
And other ones
Then if you have 2009 then use hardware viewport options.

MoP

Xoliul, true. But it does the trick in a pinch