I am trying to create normal maps for my signs in Paint.NET. I have the textures done and I carefully followed http://tesalliance.org/forums/index.php?/tutorials/article/119-graphic-artistry-normal-maps-in-paintnet/ using the extra programs etc and it all seemed to go well. I tested it ingame and *sigh* http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n99/Shezrie/ScreenShot976_zpsg0tpmyy2.jpg

Can anyone tell where I am going wrong by this result? What in particular needs to be tweaked etc...

Your link points to a screenshot with a road sign, not terrain.

Have you tried GIMP 2 with the normal map plugin? Works perfect for me.

I'd need to see the normal map to see what's up. Can you provide the DDS as it is?

Also, besides the texture path change, was any other change done to the mesh? Was it done purely as a texture set override in the CK?

Thanks everyone but.... .....turns out that I had the the wrong texture there and not the normal map.

Edit, not quite solved. Anyone know what particular setting can cause this issue...http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n99/Shezrie/pixelation_zpscibmdnru.jpg This weird white boxed, pixelated effect.

Are there bad pixels in either the diffuse or normal map? They'll show up as Pinky or bright blue. I usually see them crop up in pitch-black pixels when the DDS exporter decides to be ornery.

Thanks for the reply! The texture is just a modified vanilla texture and I created the normal map as per the tutorial. I usually use a resource that provides blank signs plus normal maps, but I need to learn myself as I need normal maps for a lot of things and want to learn how to do it properly.

I will look for bad pixels. I also uploaded the textures https://www.dropbox.com/sh/d9yt91xsaz95z7o/AACVT9NatGyUdoJRwidOoEKca?dl=0 in case that helps get to the bottom of the problem.

Okaaaay, I'm not sure what happened, but that normal map is badly malformed. It needs to be DXT5 so it can store an alpha channel for starters, as specular data is stored there. Secondly, the vast majority of the pixels are bad. There are scant bits of normal map purple in the vague shape of the lettering, but the rest is black on the RGB or null in the alpha. Try saving it as a DXT5 instead of a DXT1 and see if that does anything.

Sorry I uploaded the one I had been playing around with. I redid the whole thing making sure to save it as DXT5 and uploaded that one to the DropBox folder. it seems fine ingame other then being far too 'rough', I need it smooth like the vanilla road signs.

What particular settings would smooth it? I experimented in the NormalMapPlus settings but didn't seem to get much change.

I second this, I've got some really good results using GIMP. Saved me lots of time instead of having to build a high poly mesh just for a normal map burn.

Ant. I haven't forgotten about your meshes, I'm just overloaded at the moment.

I am going to give it a try in Gimp.

Did it in Gimp, if someone has a moment could you please take a look and criticize my efforts, that would be very helpful.

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/d9yt91xsaz95z7o/AACVT9NatGyUdoJRwidOoEKca?dl=0

Your new normal map has a pure white alpha channel, this is not what you want. It will only make your sign extremely shiny. You want a very dark, almost black alpha channel to cut that shine with your town name in white to give the "paint" a little shine. Take a look at the original roadsignnorthern01_n.dds. You want yours to be the same.

Thank you!