Normal map - how to extract edges to diffuse map

Gerbeiter · Aug 2010

I have a normal map from high poly and I would like in some way to extract only egdes (grey scale) that allow me to put it into diffuse map (edges would be a bit brighter).
Thanks of brighter egdes I could imitate that object is a bit more natural and natural used.

Do you have any easy and quick method how to do it?

boyluya · Aug 2010

This tut by racer445 http://racer445.com/media/tutorials/edgestrick/tutimage.jpg?

Bal · Aug 2010

You can use the Normal2Cavity photoshop filter (comes with xNormal) to do something like that (use the EMB mode). Or you could also load your normal map in Crazybump, and create an Occlusion map with a Power of 0, and high Enhance Detail setting.

For more info look into Curvature and Cavity maps (there's some info on the wiki http://wiki.polycount.com/CurvatureMap?action=show&redirect=Curvature+Map ).

Gerbeiter · Aug 2010

Oh yes, thanks a lot guys, that will help me for sure

CheeseOnToast · Aug 2010

Quick tip for using Xnormal's cavity map genarator : If it looks as though it's not working correctly and producing a greyscale map where white = high and black = low, change the y co-ordinate from positive to negative. The option for this is right underneath the imported normal map.

Michael Knubben · Aug 2010

Cheese: rather than it not working correctly, isn't is just assuming a different system (flipped/unflipped green/red)?

CheeseOnToast · Aug 2010

yeah, but you know what I mean

Normal map - how to extract edges to diffuse map

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