Normal Maps, present in Strata Design 3D 7, are a vast improvement over regular bump maps. Most textures we have, however, come with bump maps instead of normal maps. Here is a quick way to convert bump maps into normal maps using a freeware AIR application called Smart Normal.
First, download the application from this link.
Install the AIR (Adobe Integrated Runtime) application.
Run Smart Normal.
Now, in Strata 3D open the textures we want to “upgrade” to normal maps.
Open the bump map
Copy the bump map. It is important to copy the map when viewing it at 100% When copying a map from a texture, the image will be copied at the resolution it is seen.
Paste in into a new Photoshop (or other editor) document
Save
Open in Smart Normal
Save from Smart Normal
Load the map in Strata 3D, in the Bump/Normal channel
Make sure the image is loaded as a 16 or 32-bit color image
Check the Use image as Normal Map checkbox.
The texture is now using a normal map instead of a bump map.
Using Bump Mapping
Using Normal Mapping
