Use of Normal Maps in Vray

V-Ray for 3ds Max V-Ray for 3ds Max :: Issues
1

Hello!

I have been searching but cannot find much information on this topic.

What is the proper procedure for using Normal Map images with Vray? My understanding is that you place a “VrayNormalMap” in the Bump slot, and then the desired map within. However the results i have been getting are not at all desirable and I get much better results with a simple black and white map in the bump slot. (see the attached images, The one rendered with normal maps has errors and in general behaves strangely)

I feel that either I am doing something incorrectly or that there is some kind of bug with normal maps.

any help would be much appreciated.

Thank you!

Bump Slot with Black and white map.jpg
Bump Slot with Black and white map.jpg1368×1368 488 KB

Vray Normal Map With appropriate Normal Map.jpg
Vray Normal Map With appropriate Normal Map.jpg1398×1398 485 KB

2

make sure gamma is set to override 1 where you pick the bitmap. normal maps are very picky about gamma.

3

That was it! Thank you so much!

4

Also make sure the bump value is set to 100%. (That’s a max thing, not sure if vraynormal ignores it.)