Normal maps help?

[Stewy]

Sorry guys, I know this is a noob topic - but was wanting some help or a tutorial with normal maps (the green tex that show details on skins) -

Freddern gave me permission to modify his Norwegian textures with flags and patches - but when I tried to edit the normal maps (rubbing out the flag detail), the forearms came out super bright in game like the sun was directly on them! http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/crazy_o.gif

I have PSP - will I still be able to edit normal maps? Sorry for the spaz question - I tried a search but got nada http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/wink_o.gif

[RKSL-Rock]

Try this. It lets you create normal maps from images just like the NVidia PS plugin http://www.crazybump.com/.

[Stewy]

Thanks for the speedy response, Rock! I've been helped by one of the greats! http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/notworthy.gif

[RKSL-Rock]

Thanks for the speedy response, Rock!  I've been helped by one of the greats!  http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/notworthy.gif
erm not sure i qualify as "great" but thanks fo rthe compliment.

Anyway you're welcome.

[Nephilim]

edit the RGB channels of the normal map
make a selection and treat those places in each channel with a neutral grey


crazybump will only allow you to blend things but not really erease them

[Stewy]

Sorry Neph, can you slow that one down a bit please mate? I don't follow you http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/crazy_o.gif I'm new to all of this http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/wink_o.gif

[Nephilim]

LOL!
open your normal map with photo chop

in the pallete tab you have channels, layers and so on
go into channels.

there you got Red, Blue, Green, Alpha.
each channel represents a direction of the normal map
Red up/down, Blue - forth/back, Green- left/right

make a selection in one of the channles right over the place you whish to edit. then brush over it with a neutral grey (rgb value is 125/125/125)

now if you brushed it keep the selection and paint in the other 2 channels.

if done switch back into the full image.
the patch should have a complete blueish/violet color.

save http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/smile_o.gif

[Stewy]

Thanks Neph for explaining that http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/smile_o.gif