Self-made detail maps causing extreme light overexposure
by Adam deGrandis · in Artist Corner · 08/20/2004 (7:31 pm) · 4 replies
Heres my scenario. In any map i have, if im using the default detail1.png bump map for the terrain, everything looks great. If i try and use any detail map I created, the terrain directly around the camera (whether i be in free camera mode or moving around in a player) gets really overexposed by light. all my details are 256x256 just like detail1. I also have the lighting pack installed and upgraded. I dont know if that has something to do with it... (not to put it down, its an AWESOME resource)
So has anyone else seen this and know how to fix it?
So has anyone else seen this and know how to fix it?
About the author
I'm an veteran game artist, teacher, and all around nice guy. Check out my portfolio at adamdegrandis.com.
#2
08/22/2004 (8:20 pm)
Interestingly enough, I had the same problem with Far Cry's implementation of detail textures. Took me a while to figure out why my "snow" detail textures were completely blown out even in almost complete darkness.
#3
08/23/2004 (3:40 pm)
This is pretty much the normal behavior for detail maps. They have to be grey-averaged. Using the Stylize->Emboss or Other->Highpass filters can be handy for this in Photoshop.
#4
08/26/2004 (9:03 pm)
Thanks for all the help guys!
Torque Owner John Kabus (BobTheCBuilder)
The Lighting Pack updates terrain rendering code to prevent detail maps from drowning out the bright terrain lighting.
To avoid too much overexposure you should create detail maps similar to those provided with Torque they need to have an average color of (RGB - 128, 128, 128) and should maintain a mild contrast.
Here's an example:
Hope this helps!
-John