Hi guys,

Using 3ds I know how to project objects onto a plane and render to texture to make a normal map that can be applied to a quad for a detailed wall but I don't know how to make a normal map for a full 3D object. I don't know if it involves unwrapping, if I need to use a plugin, or something else; I really have no clue. I've seen examples in Maya where you can make a normal map by simply selecting Transform Maps and making a few clicks, and I've seen 3ds tutorials that are 45 minutes long showing how to make a normal map. I've seen that everyone loves XNormal but that's now 64-bit only and I can't use it. Will someone please fill me in.

Thanks.

You can follow this great tutorial by Ben Mathis: http://www.poopinmymouth.com/tutorial/normal_workflow.htm

He uses 3DS Max, but even if he used other software you'd just have to work out the analogy (this way you can follow some great tutorials even though they're not specifically for the package you're using).

With Blender it's about as easy as it gets.

Here are some videos to get started. The third one shows how to project the normals from a high poly 3D model onto a low-res version.

http://cgcookie.com/blender/2011/07/22/creating-a-sci-fi-panel-part-1/

You can go here too.