New normal maps

[Dreamer]

All the examples of the new normal maps have the color set to something other than black and white, the way I used to do bumps. Is this a special color palate with a specific range? How are the colors derived?

[Lightwolf]

The colours basically define a direction vector that is added to the surface normal during rendering.
A vector (in this case) has three components, X, Y, Z and those are encoded in the RGB channels (even though details differ from one normal map to another).

Cheers,
Mike

[Dreamer]

So, how do I set that up in photoshop? Or is there another plugin for this?

[Lightwolf]

Well, here is one for PS: http://developer.nvidia.com/object/photoshop_dds_plugins.html

Cheers,
Mike

[Dreamer]

Is there another one. I'm on a Mac and have had little luck finding anything but Windows stuff.

[Lightwolf]

Is there another one. I'm on a Mac and have had little luck finding anything but Windows stuff.
I have no idea... I just googled for "Photohsop" and "normal maps".

Edit: This one just came up: http://homepage.mac.com/nilomarabese/Menu13.html

Cheers,
Mike

[Dreamer]

Thanks, I did too but didn't come up with that one.