VRayNormalMap - What and how? No documentation - need worflow example

[Morne]

Hi all

So I'm having some issues with displacemtn and want to switch to vray normal maps. Problem is I have no idea how to create it or use it. Spot3D have no documentation in this. I google search results in threads from 2006 before vray normal map was around it seems.

A quick "hold your hand" workflow would be appreciated, or at least a point in the right direction.

I read about various plugins etc for photoshop etc, do I need those or can it be done some other way. Once I have the actual normal map texture, what do I do with it?

[PIXELBOX_SRO]

why not trying vraybump2normal??

[Morne]

why not trying vraybump2normal??

same reason I havent' tried vraynormalmap, NO OFFICIAL DOCUMENTATION on spot3D. I dont have time to sit and google every little setting. It's ChaosGroup's resposibility to have full and detailed documentation for their product. Otherwise the "elite few" learns new things, the rest of us gets left behind.

[PIXELBOX_SRO]

i would not be so hard on the guys
BUT
i have to say i sometimes miss the important settings among the help files and explanation how they work rather that brief description of the function.
PhoenixFD is a typical example....function description but really hard to understand and connect all the leads to find a solution. I ve seen all the guidance videos but i dont think its enough....at least some guys had the patience to make the examples videos and put it on youtube. Unfortunatelly i dont get the time to find yout by hit and miss how every single thing work for myself :-/

[vlado]

So I'm having some issues with displacemtn and want to switch to vray normal maps. Problem is I have no idea how to create it or use it. Spot3D have no documentation in this. I google search results in threads from 2006 before vray normal map was around it seems.

Normal maps are normal maps anywhere, V-Ray or not. There are tons of tutorials on how to create and use normal maps. The VRayNormalMap plugin was initially added only because the 3ds Max Normal map did not work reliably with V-Ray proxy objects. Other than that, it works identically to the regular Normal map plugin.

Best regards,
Vlado

[Deflaminis]

Does the vray normal map automatically set the normal map gamma to 1? Meaning, if we use input gamma of 2.2 will the vraynormalmap work properly? I seem to recall having an issue with it a while back, but it was pretty long ago... and I'm not sure that was the cause of it. I never did nail it down and had to remake the material. If it doesn't set it to 1, is there some way to override it? Or would we just have to use input gamma of 1 and override all diffuse maps? (I could get used to that if it's the only way.)

[Morne]

ok so once I have a normal map jpg, do I just stick it into a vraynormalmap into the bump slot?

[kosso_olli]

Yes, thats how you do it: Bump Slot>Normal Map oder Vraynormal>Bitmap with your normal map assigned (load it with gamma 1, with gamma 2.2 the results are unpredictable)

[Dariusz Makowski (Dadal)]

Use 3ds max normal map if u dont use proxy - its better and has bump option to add...

Use color2bump if u want to use grayscale as normal maps. Its vray converter grayscale to normal bump map.