3D Game Environments

Chapter 11

Focus on the Futuristic Interior—Normal Maps and Multipass Shaders

INTRODUCTION

Assume that the colonists on planet LV-426 have been out of touch and you need to check on them. Incredibly, they are mesmerized by a reality show: five colonists and five aliens try to live in the same space station while losing weight, participating in meaningless competitions, and voting each other off the planet.

This chapter focuses on normal mapping—specifically creating maps in Photoshop with a look at creating them using a 3D program—and creating the supporting maps for a typical environment. In the 3D program, we will create them using a more simplified method that is perfect for the environmental artist. By creating several smaller parts ...