Modding Normal maps and Shading maps

[Akiba91]

Hello everyone, i'm trying to understand if there is any process at the moment that allow to edit normal/shading maps and then using the edited textures inside the game correctly.
As far as I understand the main problem should be the compression of the texture of Fallout 4, that is DX10 and tools like NVidia Tools can't save the textures in DX10.

The Normal map converter from DX10 to DX9 uploaded on nexus is working correctly, but after I complete the modification and I go back to the look of the DX10 I don't know how to save the texture to make it work properly ingame.

[Ubercharge]

I mostly opened textures_n default way, then applied levels wtih black clip at 128. then normal map is correctly displayed. red and green channels are swapped and inverted, so when I make normals out of heightmap, I rotate black n white map 90 degrees anti clockwise, use nvidia tool to get normals, and rotate normal map 90 degrees back. then save into 3Dc format dds it works good for me. same thing with textures_s

[Akiba91]

Strange.. I'm saving the same way and just painting the normal maps in that fase (removing some big lines in an arm just to test), but when I upload them back everything is flat (because probably it can't load them properly).
I'll upload a screen of my problem later!

[Percephere]

I'm getting the same issue. I'll let you know if I find anything.

 

Edit: Saving a specular map using the DXT1 options with no alpha fixes the flatness so long as the channels are flat (not good for FO4). Both normal and specular maps need to be saved using the 3DC normal map option. However, doing this increases the brightness of the maps.

 

You can fix this by setting the blackclip to 128, as @Ubercharge mentioned. Here's how:

 

1. Click the "Image" tab.

2. Under "Adjustments," select "Levels."

3. There you'll see the color levels. Make sure the channel setting is "RGB." By default the clip is set to "0" and "255" (no clip). Set the "0" to "128."

4. Save with the 3DC Normal Map option.

5. Get paid.

Edited November 27, 2015 by Percephere