Normal Map Layers
by Samaursa · in Torque 3D Professional · 08/04/2009 (12:17 pm) · 6 replies
Hi,
I have been looking into the Material Layers, Layer 0, Layer 1 etc. When you have a diffuse texture on Layer 0 (example a face texture) and add another texture on Layer 1 (a scar with transparent background) the scar shows up on the face properly.
Now when I do the same with Normal maps (for example, Layer 0 normal map has the normal map for the player while Layer 1 normal map has the normal for the scar), this doesn't work because T3D treats transparency in Normal Maps as specular information. Is there any way to blend different normal maps just like described above with diffuse?
Thank you.
I have been looking into the Material Layers, Layer 0, Layer 1 etc. When you have a diffuse texture on Layer 0 (example a face texture) and add another texture on Layer 1 (a scar with transparent background) the scar shows up on the face properly.
Now when I do the same with Normal maps (for example, Layer 0 normal map has the normal map for the player while Layer 1 normal map has the normal for the scar), this doesn't work because T3D treats transparency in Normal Maps as specular information. Is there any way to blend different normal maps just like described above with diffuse?
Thank you.
#2
Right now that I did a few more tests, Layer 1-Layer3 Normal maps do not affect the lighting at all (although they show up in the material editor) which might be a bug. If somebody can confirm that, I'll submit a bug report.
08/04/2009 (12:47 pm)
I am not sure whether the effect of each layer of Normal Maps is multiplied or not.Right now that I did a few more tests, Layer 1-Layer3 Normal maps do not affect the lighting at all (although they show up in the material editor) which might be a bug. If somebody can confirm that, I'll submit a bug report.
#3
My understanding is that if Layer 0 has a normal map, and Layer 1 has a normal map, both effects should be 'multiplied' so that both effects show up on the mesh. For example, we have a full face texture, with a normal map. Next on Layer 1 if we add a scar to the face, and attach a normal map for that scar, it should show up on the base mesh in addition to the original face texture normal. If this is wrong, please let me know.
Thank you.
08/04/2009 (2:31 pm)
Can someone please let me know how Normal Maps on different layers are supposed to work? If my concept of how the maps should work on different layers is right, then T3D has a bug as of B4.My understanding is that if Layer 0 has a normal map, and Layer 1 has a normal map, both effects should be 'multiplied' so that both effects show up on the mesh. For example, we have a full face texture, with a normal map. Next on Layer 1 if we add a scar to the face, and attach a normal map for that scar, it should show up on the base mesh in addition to the original face texture normal. If this is wrong, please let me know.
Thank you.
#4
I am uploading it to Vimeo now.. I will post it into a new thread and link this thread and my thread to each other so they both are noticed.
I am very curious as to why the system is so "wonky" if it is not still a WIP.
08/04/2009 (5:52 pm)
Well, I am not sure how they have planned the layers but I do have a video to share that will make some heads turn.I am uploading it to Vimeo now.. I will post it into a new thread and link this thread and my thread to each other so they both are noticed.
I am very curious as to why the system is so "wonky" if it is not still a WIP.
#5
08/04/2009 (6:30 pm)
My video thread about Material layer issues...www.garagegames.com/community/forums/viewthread/98797 
Torque 3D Owner Bryan Sawler
muteki corporation
Couldn't it just be flat with 0 specular in those places?