Never said I was Normal!

edited December 1969 in Carrara Discussion

Can Carrara handle NORMAL MAPS? If so how and what channel in the shader?

Comments

  • BC RiceBC Rice Posts: 591
    edited December 1969

    A normal map is just a type of bump map right? I'd think you'd just go to the shader and drop it into the Bump slot.

  • Design AcrobatDesign Acrobat Posts: 459
    edited December 1969

    Yes, Carrara can handle normal maps.

    normal_map.jpg
    649 x 448 - 79K
  • edited December 1969

    'OKAY I found that! I dont know why I couldn't before ..

    NOW the question is... HOW do I convert an image into one that can be used as a NORMAL MAP!

    I USE MAC!!!

  • BrianP21361BrianP21361 Posts: 784
    edited December 1969

    Richard,

    My son found a nice program to do normal maps on a Mac. It's called Crazy Bump. It's currently available as a free beta, but I haven't found any issues with it.

    http://www.crazybump.com/

  • edited December 1969

    Richard,

    My son found a nice program to do normal maps on a Mac. It's called Crazy Bump. It's currently available as a free beta, but I haven't found any issues with it.

    http://www.crazybump.com/

    WOW that is great! BUT I am running MAC OS 10.5.8 at this time and it wont work at this time.

    Do you know of any others for MAC

  • BrianP21361BrianP21361 Posts: 784
    edited December 1969

    How about NormalMapper and nDo. I'm not sure what the system requirements are for those.

  • ds-mail_2e0cb9c256ds-mail_2e0cb9c256 Posts: 70
    edited December 1969

    also consider plugin from Inagoni

    Baker or Deeper or both? have not used either in a long time

  • wetcircuitwetcircuit Posts: 0
    edited December 1969

    HOW do I convert an image into one that can be used as a NORMAL MAP!

    If you convert a bump map to a normal map you won't see any real improvement. It would be like converting a greyscale image to RGB. It might render a little faster, but you need a way to create a normal map to get the benefit.

    Best way to make a normal map is by baking the texture on a high-polygon model, so the map will wrap seamlessly. That's probably some kind of sculpting/texturing program like 3D-Coat.

    The next best way is to create a tiling (or non-tiling) "flat" texture, either generating it in a paint program or rendering out a flat image of a 3D model (the BAKER plugin can this).

    Least-best way is to convert a bump map in a program like nDo - which I couldn't find a current link to...

  • edited December 1969

    I looked and looked and downloaded NO JOY! I found this half azzed Adobe PIXEL BENDER which I an not sure even works. That CRAZY BUMP is awesome baby BUT only runs PC. I just may buy a cheap PC laptop soon and maybe it will run on that.

    I was VERY disappointed in what I found...

    Steve Jobs is ROLLING over in his grave

  • edited December 1969

    Richard,

    My son found a nice program to do normal maps on a Mac. It's called Crazy Bump. It's currently available as a free beta, but I haven't found any issues with it.

    http://www.crazybump.com/

    That crazy bump is the bomb man! BUT wont work on MAC OS 10.5.8

  • BrianP21361BrianP21361 Posts: 784
    edited December 1969

    Richard,

    For $19.99 you can upgrade to Mountain Lion. That's a lot less than buying a PC.

  • edited December 1969

    Thanks yea I know but right now I cant I am using a G5 powermac! I am hopefully that by the end of JULY I will have a new MAC PRO! I have NO money now not even 20 bucks I can spare!

    NEVER take on net 3 accounts that turn into net 90s

  • 3DAGE3DAGE Posts: 3,311
    edited December 1969

    HI Richard :)

    Filterforge,. works on Mac :)

    There's a 30 day (Fully functioning) Trial version, It creates Diffuse, Bump, Normal, Specular, etc
    It's also available as a "Stand Alone", as well as the Photoshop plugin.

    Check out the Filterforge filter gallery to see what's possible., and browse the available Free filters/textures.

    bricktest2.jpg
    800 x 800 - 228K
  • edited December 1969

    THNAKS 3DAGE your always with the correct answer! it is for mac but it says INTEL processors! I am not sure thats really true but I do plan to get a new INTEL mac soon!

    How come I never heard of this it is wicked great.

    AND it it can make NORMAL MAPS I am in

Sign In or Register to comment.