Gimp Question For Hedgerow Project

[Maximius]

Im trying to assemble a material declaration with GIMP. I have cut out a bit of image of a hedgerow and I've created a normalmap of it. So my question is now, ignoring a specular map which I'm saving for later, do I also insert the old image file with the actual color and shading in the D3 folder and then list it in the mat. dec.? Or, is that what the diffuse map is, the actual file where the color comes from. Do I at somepoint have to redraw the image myself completely? If I cannot use the original image file bit of the hedgerow, is that what is meant by "baked" colors and shading?

 

Thanks

max

[Unstoppable]

My english translator failed to translate that. Sorry.

[OrbWeaver]

do I also insert the old image file with the actual color and shading in the D3 folder and then list it in the mat. dec.? Or, is that what the diffuse map is, the actual file where the color comes from.

 

Yes, you will need the diffusemap to supply the colour and the normal map to supply the bumps. If you have created the normal map from the photo, then using the photo itself as the diffusemap should work.

 

EDIT: Saw Crispy's post, yes there is a danger that the photo will have strong directional lighting, which would look bad in game if the light was coming from a different direction. It really depends how the photo was taken -- on an overcast day or in soft light it might be OK.

[Crispy]

The original hedgerow photograph will have "baked" lighting, so you may need to create the diffuse texture mostly from scratch, yeah.

 

You *can* just use the photo, depending, but it might look bad in some contexts. To test this, try flipping it upside-down. If you can definitely see that the light is coming from below, then you may want to reconsider.

[Maximius]

ok so i will probably have to make a diffuse map, i have a tutorial somewhere. thanks for the info