Normal Mapping Experiment

// July 28th, 2009 // Experiments, Flash 3D, Source code & tutorials

In my quest to learn more about 3D I came across normal mapping. So I had to try that out. I saw Ralph Hauwert do this at FITC Amsterdam, so I knew it was possible.

As input for this test I “made” two images (The model came from here: blendermodels.org): One with the normal mapping and one with the colours. (normal mapping tutorial for blender)

normal map

Applying some Blendmodes and ColorMatrixFilters did the trick. Maybe to optimize the whole thing I should write a PixelBender filter for it, but I’m not sure its gone be faster? Anyway, here is the result:

» View normal mapping experiment

The whole point of this is to create a low polygon model, mapped with a high polygon normal map and so creating a fast rendering model with lot of shaded details. But that’s probably for next week

Source code: NormalMapTest_source

3D Normal Mapping with Pixel Bender

3D Fur Renderer

Panoramic Fun

Papervision3D Collada Experiment

Basic 3D shading test

9 Responses to “Normal Mapping Experiment”

Og2t says:

July 28, 2009 at 6:46 pm

Very interesting, I am actually quite surprised you’ve achieved it just with ColorMatrix – well done! I’d be tempted to try it with PixelBender.
George Profenza says:

July 28, 2009 at 8:24 pm

wicked stuff! I couldn’t imagine such results with Flash’s API.
Elder Henrique Souza says:

July 30, 2009 at 2:06 am

Nicely done. Well, in theory a Pixel Blender filter, should run faster. Anyway I think it’s worth trying.

Keep the good work! Kudos!
Kris says:

July 31, 2009 at 7:49 pm

Thanks for the comments!
I did it with PixelBender and its faster (and much easier)
3D Normal Mapping with Pixel Bender | Neuro Productions says:

August 3, 2009 at 2:03 pm

[...] my previous normal mapping experiment I used just flat images, now it was time to do it in 3d, with Pixel [...]
Creative Workflow Hacks » UV Mapping and After Effects says:

August 6, 2009 at 6:20 pm

[...] the AE SDK. There is also a useful subset of the kernel language that works in Flash, like these 3D Normal Mapping experiments. Give it a [...]
Pablo says:

November 12, 2009 at 7:30 pm

NOW i get it!! nice tutorial! really cool and clear without all the BS.
Thanks!!!
Serg says:

February 9, 2010 at 5:56 pm

Hi !
Can u give source PixelBender filter for this ?
kris says:

February 9, 2010 at 8:48 pm

Hi Serg,
This is done without PixelBender.:)
If you want good shading filters, you should check out the one in Away3D and Stok3D
http://away3d.com/
http://www.derschmale.com/2009/06/08/introducing-stok3d-more-fp10-3dpixel-bender-shading/

Good luck!