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NormalMapCompressor v1.3 and PDC information

by Benjamin Nitschke 7. September 2005 19:25

I've updated the NormalMapCompressor program for our graphic artists. While the old version 1.2 did help out a lot for normal maps, it did not compress the diffuse and optional height map required for many models.

The new version has a couple of cool new features:

Diffuse, Normal and Height maps are supported now and will be converted for you automatically.
Simply load new textures with a drag and drop operation: Just drag the diffuse texture file onto the application and the diffuse, the normal (same filename +"Normal") and the height map (+"Height") will be loaded automatically if they exist.
The preview can now be expanded and collapsed. Also added Parallax Mapping support for the preview shader :)
Much cooler overall look (previews all input textures now) and much more useable tool for artists.

Download NormalMapCompressor v1.3.
Download source code!

Before installing make sure you have DirectX 9.0c and Managed DirectX. I've tested it only with the DirectX August 2005 version (click here to download).

Update 2005-09-08: Fixed bug with saving (directory wasn't used). Works fine now.

Another thing: I'm going to the PDC 2005 in a few days. I've never been in USA and I am very excited! The great Dirk Primbs (Microsoft Developer Evangelist for Germany) invited me. Somehow Microsoft thinks I'm kinda special and invited me there :)

Well, at least I've done Arena Wars, the first commerical .NET game. I will also present our new game using my new engine (first .NET 2.0 game engine optimized for Windows Vista) to a couple of Microsoft DirectX and .NET guys, maybe I manage to impress them ^^

I will try to take some cool pictures there (PDC is in L.A.) and post about my experiences there. I'm very excited!

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Comments

9/7/2005 9:46:24 PM #

PDC - excellent news.... going to be good to meet some of the people I've linked to and chatted with over the last 8 months.

The DirectX Birds of a feather session I proposed was accepted - Monday evening at 8:15. Hope you and Drik can show up.

http://www.thezbuffer.com/articles/267.aspx

You can get me on zman@thezbuffer.com all week long. I'm at the LA Athletic club hotel from MOnday night.

Zman | Reply

9/8/2005 9:28:43 PM #

Hey Benjamin,

Ich beobachte deine Managed DirectX aktivitäten schon länger. Nice job! Ich hoffe wir werden uns auf der PDC treffen. Sicher wirst du doch auch zur DirectX BoF kommen. (?) Ich wohne im Wilshire Grand.

mfg

bonk (aka Robert Ludewig)

bonk | Reply

9/9/2005 11:21:59 AM #

Hey you guys, I'm happy to meet you there.

I will come to the DX BoF session.

See ya there

abi | Reply

9/11/2005 1:04:27 PM #

Hey Benjamin!
Freut mich, dass du die Chance erhälst, diese Veranstaltung von Microsoft zu besuchen. Ich erwarte natürlich danach von dir eine ausführliche Beschreibung und mehr Informationen zu deiner Engine. Du bist ja MSDN-Subscriper - hast du MS Vista schon angetestet?

Have fun at the PDC 2005!

Frederic Schneider | Reply

9/12/2005 4:55:52 PM #

Hi. Please talk english here!

I'm currently at the PDC and waiting in the internet alley for my PDA to recharge (got no power supply for it). There are 400 computers here, but other than a useful usb port for some power and the ability to surf these machines are pretty much useless.

I can't copy or view any of the photos I made (else I would post some cool pictures I made so far) nor can I start any program except the IE.

Anyway, maybe I will post some text from time to time until I come back (saturday). Then I will post a lot of pictures.

abi | Reply

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