Normal Map Creation

A normal map should be created in the same dimensions as the image texture (color map) it will go with. There are a few options for how to create one, depending on the quality you want, your skill with various programs, or your patience.

Converting from a heightmap

As the Source tool Height2Normal doesn't work anymore, you will have to resort to other tools in order to convert a heightmap to a normal map.

Todo: Which ones?

Using an image editing program

• Photoshop or Paint Shop Pro
• The GIMP

Using a 3D program

• XSI
• ZBrush2
• Lightwave
• 3D Studio Max
• Maya

• NVIDIA Melody
• Cinema 4D
• NormalMapper

Other Tools

• CrazyBump beta test - Produces some very good normal maps. Some of them can be argued as almost having the same depth as a parallax map.

Getting the normal map in the game

1. Save your normal map as a TGA in the same resolution as the original texture. Give it a name that ends in _normal. Then convert it to a VTF. The _normal at the end of the name will affect how Vtex converts it. For the brick wall example, we would name the file brickwall_normal.tga. Place the new VTF in the same place as your original texture.
2. Add this line to the VMT somewhere between the braces:
   

   "$bumpmap" "texture name"

   and fill in the path and name of your normal map VTF. Here's an example VMT for a normal-mapped material:

   "LightmappedGeneric"
   {
       "$basetexture" "walls/brickwall"
       "$surfaceprop" "brick"
       "$bumpmap" "walls/brickwall_normal"
   }

   Note:Multiple materials can use the same normal map file.
3. When compiling your maps with vtex, Add this line to the <texture filename>.txt file in the same directory as your textures then compile with vtex.
   

   "nocompress" "1"
   "normal" "1"

See Also

• Creating Materials
• Normal Maps