Normal maps on decals ?

[Dodo]

Why cant a decal have a normal map ? You could do some cool stuff with them.

-dodo

 

[mindless_moder]

it depends on how the decals are done . i think that hl2 decals are done through texture projection if that is the case then its pretty much impossible to edit the normals of the new model because it will have to calculated in realtime . why dont you just use bump maps?

 

[Dodo]

you mean the old fashion black and white height map as a bumpmap ? or do you mean a normal map that's called a "$bumpmap" in the vmt ?
Also im talking about decals placed in the map before compiling, so it wouldn't have to render them in realtime, but i see what you mean.
Theres a big chance source just doesnt want bump or normal maps on decals : /

-dodo

 

[mindless_moder]

i doubt that. you could compile special objects with normals and then just use them as decals. just some simple planes .

 

[Dodo]

wow, I just didnt think of that.
It's just too bad bullet decals dont support normals or parralex maps like FEAR.

-dodo

 

[mindless_moder]

wow, I just didnt think of that.
It's just too bad bullet decals dont support normals or parralex maps like FEAR.

-dodo

im not surprised .. it really isnt a very effective way of doing it. as for the the bullet decals you could probably do it in a mod not sure about how hard it would be because i dont really know what method source uses to handle decals.

 

[Dodo]

I dont see why source wouldnt be able to render decals like normal geometry... :|

-dodo

 

[mindless_moder]

you should mail gabe or doug about it because this sort of thing would be handled internally by the engine and would be beyond the scope of the current sdk unless you build your own function to project textures.

 

[Dodo]

Mail gabe ? wouldnt the chance of gettin a reply be the same as mailing god, rambo, or elvis ?.. and what should i ask ? if they can implement something that makes decals able to have normals ? Dont know if they have time to do that ...
btw whats gabe's email ?

-dodo

 

[mindless_moder]

nah they've replied to emails in the past :S . you should ask them how the decals are handled that will give you the information you need to see if its possible or code it yourself.

 

[Dodo]

Me ? code ?.. hahahahaha ... :'( i wish.
I liked the idea of having single polygon as a prop with a normal map on it.
It would make parralex maps possible to.
-dodo