Info and Illustration about Normal Maps

[Athlon7]

I thought it would be good to clarify a bit about what exactly normal maps can do, their effects, and what a *precision normal map (with DX9/R3X card) versus a normal map you could achieve with an older/NV3X card. While normal maps have existed for awhile, I think that DX 9 is the first to offer precision? I think that personally this is a better illustration than the HL2 screenies of DX 8 vs. DX 9.


First up we have normal maps vs. no normal maps, not differences in hood scoop appearing 3D, and the nice, again 3dish metal texture on the floor. Note too, the differences in how the light refracts.

http://www.geocities.com/athlonseven/AtiSushi01.jpg

Illustration 2, notice the lack of banding and much greater precision in rendering the fine details in the 16x16x16 vs. the 8x8x8. I think we will see this same sort of effect in HL2's water, and well, normal maps.

http://www.geocities.com/athlonseven/AtiSushi02.jpg

To sum up, a good DX 9.0 card, like the 9500-9800 will notice a huge boost in the fine details department. If you've got a good monitor, these screenies show the clear difference between old and new. Just something to tide you over till the 30th ; )

 

[Gorgon]

Good info. tthanks

 

[No Limit]

Very good information, thanks. I didn't see a huge difference in the first but the second was very clear.
-Paul

 

[Direwolf]

Very interesting.
And damn you for showing me that so I can freak out about HL2 anew.

 

[shapeshifter]

both show a huge diffrence, just don't look at the details and sharpness, look at the reflections on the metal of the car its self, much more detail.

 

[Deadline]

Originally posted by Direwolf
Very interesting.
And damn you for showing me that so I can freak out about HL2 anew.

I love those demos.... *hugs Radeon 9800 pro*

 

[Chris D]

Brilliant information.

 

[switch]

cheers for the information

where did these pictures come from? -you make them or are there more on ati's website or something?
thanks

 

[LoneDeranger]

thats pretty phat. thanks

 

[simmo]

Any 9600pro demos ?

 

[Reiska]

Originally posted by switch
cheers for the information

where did these pictures come from? -you make them or are there more on ati's website or something?
thanks

ATIs website has these downloadable DX-demos. This one with car is absolutely great.

 

[Direwolf]

I have to say I've learned more hardware/software stuff from HL2 than any other 1 game.

 

[Reiska]

Originally posted by No Limit
Very good information, thanks. I didn't see a huge difference in the first but the second was very clear.
-Paul

Look at the air-intake(or is it outlet?) in the hood and floor texture. Without normal mapping, the whole outlet is missing.

 

[Axyon]

Nice demonstration, very interesting.

 

[Pol]

bset post of today!

 

[Letters]

It seems I'm constantly being reminded of how much I'm missing out on graphics-wise today... :flame:

 

[DimitriPopov]

Originally posted by Reiska
Look at the air-intake(or is it outlet?) in the hood and floor texture. Without normal mapping, the whole outlet is missing.

The hole in the hood provides downforce (it adctually has a fan in it) , the Engine is in the rear.

So you can get regular normal maps with DX8.1? But precision maps must be DX9????

 

[razorblade kiss]

Looks like a Chameleon paint job on an F50 Ferrari. ooooh. Very nice post. Something actually useful amongst all the other crap people have been posting lately. Well done

 

[MaDMaXX]

yeah, the pictures really show up the graphics advance, this is a good reason to get a quality dx9 card.

 

[razorblade kiss]

I cant afford a Radeon 9800 right now. I'm not gonna be able to play HL2 til I find away to get one. Lost my job... blegh!

 

[DaLys]

Thank you Athlon7. A good thread for once.

 

[commando]

i can see a diff. look close at the 8x8x8. around the dark edges you see it jaggy and the 16x you see it all smooth as

 

[GraphicFoxx]

Originally posted by simmo
Any 9600pro demos ?

Those 9800 demos can be run on a 9600Pro just fine. I've tried them all, and they all run really smooth, and look just amazing. I also like the globe one showing the lighting on all the orbs. Good stuff.

 

[Arno]

That's a very good example of normal mapping!
In the first picture, the left side of the car just shows flat textures. On the right side of the car, the normal maps add the smooth elevations on the surface of the car.

The second picture clearly shows how some added precision can further enhance the image quality on the newest Radeon cards.

Nice post! :thumbs:

 

[cyborgguineapig]

This is not a game model but its still a much better example of what Normal mapping power has. Infact this example isn't actually normal mapping but displacement mapping although its a great example to show the basic principle to how normal mapping works.

http://209.132.69.82/uploaded_from_zbc/200307/user_image-1059001803ooh.jpg

But still someone has to either paint the details in a normal map or use an advanced bump map. Either way its still hard work.

 

[OCybrManO]

Most normal maps are made by using a special program or a plugin for a 3d modeling program that takes the difference between a high-poly model and a low-poly model... then "bakes" that information into a normal map.

The hard part is making a really high poly version of the model for which you want to generate a normal map.

 

[SirMcNugget]

Im selling my old home theatre system hopefully to have enough for at least a 9600. Weeee.

 

[Athlon7]

Your 9600 Pro can do this Simmo It should also be able to run all the ATI demos for 9700, 9800 and so on.

 

[nw909]

Awesome post, especially illustrations, me love you long time for that.

 

[Athlon7]

I just found this article on Tom's

http://www.tomshardware.com/graphic/20020718/radeon9700-06.html

Now, just think of this in relation to HL2 and the precision modes, a great explanation. I'm trying to find more on this on microsoft's site, if I do, I will post! Precision, it seems, is the new buzzword ; )