GIMP Version: 2.8.4
Operating System: Windows
GIMP Experience: Beginner Level

List any relevant plug-ins or scripts:
Normal Map plug-in

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Hello There...
I've been experimenting with The GIMP 'Normal-Map' Tool. I followed the Vid by 'VScorpianC' and it's a really helpful Vid. It was excellent, especially the explanation around all the features this tool has. (How to Use GIMP's Normal Map Plug-In) I used it and managed to get some effects, however, when I applied what I'd done, and pressed 'OK' my layer was blue!


Tried to get rid of it, but couldn't, clearly I'm going drastically wrong somewhere. please, has anyone any suggestions as to exactly where I went wrong
Thanks for your time
RalphC

Hi..
Thanks for your time replying I'm actually using it for a 3D image. But, if that's how it's supposed to look, that's OK. Thing is, I'm not sure how to work with it in that 'state.' Methinks I'm going to have to do some more research into this.
Thanks
Ralphc

Hi K..
Thank you for your kind offer of help with this. Very much appreciated .
Blender, I actually installed it and was totally baffled with it (couldn't even load a file) But it looks very good. Also checked out 'Crazybump,' using the really interesting Vid you've kindly given me the link to. I'll need to watch it again. The text version is very helpful.

"CrazyBump is better than gimp NM plugin but if you are really into 3D graphics I can teach you how to improve normal maps created by gimp plugin."

This would be very helpful. To put this into context. My passion is repainting aircraft for flight simulators. (does that count as 3D Graphics ) The thing I'm trying to achieve is to get the right textures for the 'metal work' on the aircraft; rivets, dents, shine, etc. All to often the aircraft can look unrealistic and too 'clean.' I'm getting moderate results, but, not the results I want.

So, any help would be greatly appreciated. As you can see from my first post here, I'm quite a novice with GIMP, but I'm learning slowly, very slowly....
Thanks Ralphc

Hi K...
"I'm afraid you misunderstood the implementation of the normal maps." No surprise there then

Thanks for the explanation. It sort of clarifies it for me. Flight Simulator operates using .bmp , .dds & .DXT files (mostly) However...Can I please bring to your attention this link, as it mentions NM's?..You might find it interesting anyway... If you're not too familiar with the FS world...

http://www.fsdeveloper.com/wiki/index.p ... p_creation

I did install CrazyBump, very impressive. I actually got a .png file in there of the aircraft I was working on...and fired it back into GIMP too....Wasn't sure what to do next. But after your response, no wonder...

As for starting from scratch and actually modelling and aircraft in Blender....way too ahead of me. I'll stick to slapping on some paint thanks Less taxing on the brain.
Thanks
Ralphc

If your looking to make seams and rivets and save them as a raster file to bring into another program as a height map then all you really have to do is draw the image in greyscale using the various tools in gimp and exporting it as a raster. For instance a rivet can be drawn using the blend tool set to radial gradient. Seams could be drawn using the paintbrush tool etc. You could alternately draw each element on a different layer and set the layer mode to Darken Only to blend in different layers.

pegstro

Hi Pegstro...
Thanks for the tip. I'll look into it. I've actually had a go at trying to do rivets using the and stroke to path...using the Rivet Brushes that are an add - on to GIMP...quite good too. Just needed to enhance them a little to get a 3D effect. Can be a little laborious though.

Not that clear about 'Raster files' But I'm willin to have a go at trying them. Never thought of the 'Darken Only' option either...time to start experimenting!
Thanks
Ralphc