Normal Maps in Maya question, correct filter type?

Badsearcher · May 2014

Hello,

In the file node where the normal map for a material in maya is inputted, what filter type should I select?

I saw one tutorial where it was said to just select none but without any further explanation.

Also, do mip maps just not exist in maya or are not necessary? What's the story with that?

Badsearcher · May 2014

So I did some research and experimentation and found that Maya's mental ray elliptical filtering system actually gives very good results (no 'shimmering' or light glitches) and that it automatically creates multi-resolution optimized files from the normal map texture.

The only slight hitch is that the anti-aliasing level needs to be played with a bit in order to find the best balance between render time and quality. Because of differences in normal map resolution and other variables there does not appear to be a one size fits all anti-aliasing level.

http://download.autodesk.com/global/docs/maya2014/en_us/index.html?url=files/mrfMS_High_Quality_elliptical.htm,topicNumber=d30e736030

Normal Maps in Maya question, correct filter type?

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