Simple normal map questions

[snivlem]

Hi,

I've read online that it's better to use normal maps over standard b&w maps in a lot of cases, I guess I start this thread to help demystify some things. If anyone could answer some questions, I'd most appreciate it;

1) For something like bricks, I've generated a nice normal map from PS' nVidia Normal Map plugin. In V-Ray, which normal map mode is best used? They all differ and its hard to tell which is correct.

2) Are they really better than bump maps for hard materials like bricks, paving etc???

[Morbid Angel]

1 - I guess you have to render some normal maps out of 3d and compare them with your map to be able to tell which one is which but your typical normal map is tangent space (purple colors)
2 - We generally use bump/normal maps on fine detail or high frequency detail as everything else is displaced.

My personal opinion is that normal maps are indeed better then bump but not that much better that you should spent hours converting your bump into normal map and tweaking it to make it look "right" if I have time I will create normal maps for my models but if I don't bump is just fine

[snivlem]

Thanks for taking the time to answer Morbid.

I have been looking at Pixplant and Crazybump recently to generate these maps and while they are very popular with the gamers, it just seemed interesting for us offline pixel pushers.