Photoshop Clouds to Normal Map
This is a fun, quick technique for generating a normal map. It shouldn't be taken too seriously, but can yield fantastic results
In Photoshop, in a new image, Filter > Render > Clouds
be sure your foreground colors are set to white and black for full effect
you can also use Difference Clouds a few times for some crazy effects
When you are satisfied with your clouds, copy and paste it as as 3 new layers
Layer 1: Filter > Stylize > Find Edges
This should make your image appear to be a standard grey bump map.
Layer 2: Filter > Stylize > Emboss, Set the angle to 90
This can be adjusted to -90 if you see fit. Height and Amount are up to you. Remember, it's mostly what you see is what you get, so a light emboss will have a more subtle effect and something huge and thick will look big and rocky.
Your 'rocks' should appear to have a light from the top. If this appears to come from the bottom, undo and emboss again at -90
Layer 3: Filter > Stylize > Emboss, all setting the same as Layer 2, but change Angle to 0 (zero)
Your 'rocks' should appear to have a light from your right. If this appears to come from the left, undo and emboss again at 180
Those 3 layers represent the Color Channels of your Normal Map.
Make a new image the same size as your previous
Paste Layer 1 into Channel Blue
Paste Layer 2 into Channel Green
Paste Layer 3 into Channel Red
Sphere test with two lights, makes a nice planet
A more subtle coulds, and it's effect
This technique can be applied to a wide variety of different types of images for some interesting effects.
They can also be pasted over existing normal maps to add bump and scratches.
|
|