[TUT] Normal Map Plugin for Beginners

[KDStudios]

Hello there.

For those of you who are new to the Gimp but know how to make textures and everything but need to make a normal map to make it look just right ingame?

 

Then aquire it from here:

http://code.google.c.../downloads/list

 

Download: gimp-normalmap-win32-1.2.2.zip

 

When the download is complete just do this to install:

 

Extract the normalmap.exe to the following directory: C:\Program Files\GIMP-2.0\lib\gimp\2.0\plug-ins

(For people on computers with "Program Files (x86)" it might be in there instead)

 

Extract the three .dll files to the following directory: C:\Program Files\GIMP-2.0\bin

(Same as before for those who are in the x86)

 

The installation of the plugin is now complete and should work if you've done it correctly

Just fire it up and it should load like usual.

 

 

 

This is how you make a normal map for a texture you have already created:

 

Open the texture using File and Open

A small window will pop up called Load DDS

Make sure to UNTICK "Load mipmaps"

 

Now that the texture is loaded up click "Filters" at the top of the screen

Scroll down to "Map" and click "normal map..."

 

A window should now pop up with what looks like a blue texture in it.

That is a preview of what your texture will look like.

 

Now depending on what game you want this to use I'm going to refere to making a normal map for Fallout 3.

 

Leave all the options as they are except Alpha Channel.... Be sure to change whatever it is set at to "Height"

 

Now all that is left is how deep you want the texture to go.

You can experiment with this if you like to get what you feel is best ingame.

Personally I use Scale: 3.000000 but you can keep using 1.0000 or 2.0000

 

When you have finished with the scale just click OK.

It's finished!

 

Be sure to click Save as and save your texture name as the following: XXXXX_n.dds (XXXXX being the original name of the texture)

The _n shows you that it is the normal map of that texture.

 

Then click Save

 

A little window should pop up called "Save as DDS"

Be sure to change Compression to BC3 / DXT5

And be sure to make sure Generate mipmaps is ticked.

Click OK.

 

DONE =)

You've made a normal map in Gimp =)

 

http://img163.imageshack.us/img163/7121/29567080.jpg

[LHammonds]

FYI - GIMP is also packaged on TESNexus with the plugins and step-by-step instructions for installation.

[KDStudios]

Oops... I never go on TESNexus =/

[moler75]

plugin link is down ? some help pls..

[LHammonds]

FYI - GIMP is also packaged on TESNexus with the plugins and step-by-step instructions for installation.

 

plugin link is down ? some help pls..

Look at the link above. You can get everything you need from TESNexus.

[VesemirTheWitcher]

Thanks, was useful.

[BlackSampleAdmin]

been searching the plugin for ages. now i see its been uploaded complete on TES nexus. thanks LHammonds and KD

[Candex]

Hi. I've read this and I have a probably noobish question. I did a couple of retextures using the TES CS Wiki tutorial with Nifskope and the Gimp. I always loaded the mipmaps, it was the default option (I don't mess with what I don't know). Normal maps were created OK, at least that's what I believe.

 

A small window will pop up called Load DDS

Make sure to UNTICK "Load mipmaps"

 

 

Why do you recommend not loading the mipmaps?

 

EDIT: I just realize is a very old thread. I apologize; I did not mean any Necro. Sorry.

Edited July 27, 2011 by Candex

[KDStudios]

It's common practise, loading mipmaps is bad as mipmaps is basically the same image but on lots of different layers in different sizes, it's for the game.

Loading with mipmaps is a sure way of messing up your texture.

[Candex]

It's common practise, loading mipmaps is bad as mipmaps is basically the same image but on lots of different layers in different sizes, it's for the game.

Loading with mipmaps is a sure way of messing up your texture.

 

Thanks for the info. I guess I've been lucky so far... Next time will follow your advice! :cool: