Normal Edit

NORMAL MAP EDITING
Adding additional Normal Map layers using Photoshop CS2.

Adding additional patterns or detail is simple.
Here's how to do it.

This is not necessary for all projects, but it's a habit I use when starting out the Normal Map build by making a Base Layer first as grey 128.

Next go to Image, Adjustments, Level, and change the Blue Channel Input Level to 128.

The bumps and creases of the High Poly model turned out good, but we need to add some additional detail.

A skin pattern was created and set on a 128 background. If you need seamless edges, this is the time to do it before moving on - otherwise creating seamless edges with Normal Map (especially with lots of busy detail) is almost impossible to achieve.

The material is then sent through the nVidia Tools NormalMapFilter.

The Normal Map is now sent to Image, Adjustments, Level, and the Blue Channel Output Level is changed to 128.

Now the New/Additional Normal Map (here called OuterSkin) can be added as an Overlay. Not bad - but I want to deepen it more. There are several ways to achieve that.

Layer, New Adjustment Layer, Brightness/Contrast, and set the contrast as desired.

Another way is to create a Duplicate Layer and blend in the Opacity as desired. In either method, the results are the the same: the detail of the Normal_Base is completely in tact as additional pattern/detail is added.