Better use of normal maps/bumb maps?

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Thrawn
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Better use of normal maps/bumb maps?

Post by Thrawn » 2005-11-20, 17:24

Hi all,

right now Ca3DE normalmaps just make sense when there is dynamic lightning. That's fine, but could be better though.

I found something in Star Wars Galaxis that just looks amazing, the ground textures. Although there is no lightning (just sunlight), there are these great 3D effects.

I think they are created by bumb maps!?

What I want to know: Would be something like that possible in Ca3DE? Could be used in the tech demo for some very cool things...

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Kai
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Post by Kai » 2005-11-20, 17:45

Hi ^^
To me this looks more like a pixel displacement/offset trick rather than a bumpmap, such tricks a based on a highmap/bumpmap.

Those Offset/Displacement shaders tricks are quite nice but limited in use. Not all surfaces can be displaced well and its easy to get artifacts on specific angles due to the nature of this shader.
But you asked if this is possible, and yes it is ^^
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Thrawn
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Post by Thrawn » 2005-11-20, 19:06

It could be a keyword in the shader that activates that effect. By implenting this, you could prevent getting errors in game. You only have to take care of those textures with the keyword then. I think it's worth the effort, it makes detailed 3D textures in outdoor areas possible =)
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scott
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Post by scott » 2005-11-21, 04:51

Looks like paralax mapping
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Carsten
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Post by Carsten » 2005-11-22, 10:25

I too think it's parallax mapping. I'll add some support for it somewhen during the TechDemo development.
Best regards,
Carsten
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