I've worked with some of these alternate texture maps since 2002 in Freedomforce, so I'd like to pass on a few comments. Of course, the experience might not be translatable to Morrowind, but it should be.

Firstly, these maps should have negligible fps impact. If you read the description, they are NOT applied as textures, but as mathematical processes to the base texture, pixel by pixel. The 4.0.0.2 Nif engine seems to be able to perform these operations without issue. The overhead seems to be more buffers allocated and some extra maths!

Secondly, the extra maps needn't be the same resolutions as the base map. The engine scales them up so long as they have the correct proportions. e.g. you can have a 1024 base texture with a 512 or 256 pixel glow map. Doing this reduces the size of the mod and disk space consumed, though not I suspect memory usage. You need to experiment. Sometimes using a reduced resolution effect map looks a bit shoddy.

Finally, if a mesh supports a map you don't need, 'deactivate' it with a really small texture of the type that produces 'no effect'. An example would be if you don't want to use a glow map, use a 32x32 pixel 'solid black' glow texture.

Well, i started playing with nifscope more deeply and i got the first results.

Addamasartus entrance:
http://img142.imageshack.us/my.php?image=addamasartuslw6.jpg

The bidirectional wrap filter seems to avoid the pixelation problem.
Its a bit curious because this map dont add volumetric info but brings a more vivid and interesting look to the base textures.

In other side of things i have problems with the nifscope not showing shaders at all (im playing with versions 0.9.4 to 1.0.6)

I've used detail maps on almost all the catsuits I've been making. Mainly simple ones that just alter the colours..but they really do make a "deeper" looking texture..and the hi-lights blend into the shadows better than they do on a more heavily contrasted single texture (which would give a similar look..not as nice though..or at least I couldn't get it looking as nice). As Westly says these could add a whole new dimension to getting different looks if more contrasting rather than complimentary textures were mixed

BTW..Nifskope 1.0.4 seems to apply them just fine for me. That version does go on a DLL hunt when you install it though....to see if everything it needs is present in the system..did you get any messages concerning that Korana? Maybe that's all you need to get it working.

DO WANT. (Scared About FPS Though)

Don't be. There was no issue in FF which uses the same graphics engine, down to the version number; and Vality7's latest mod has almost everything bump mapped and when I play tested it, there was no FPS hit.

You have a weak PC right? (FPS issues are apparent on low-end PCs mostly)

Not now, but I used to run FF with gloss and glow maps and particle effects everywhere on an AMD K6 2-500 (equiv a mere 500 mhz) without issues.

I'd be interested to see just how you get on with such mods. Have you tried Vality7's new mod? That has bump maps everywhere. If you can run that without issues you should be ok.

Errr, which one is that? I went through block details and didn't see which one that might be.

Wow just got crazybump and I must say its AWESOME!!!. I just edited a texture with it and it looks better than a lot of oblivion textures on morrowind.

Edit:

Normal:
http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj88/MySp8ce/normal.jpg

Bumped:
http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj88/MySp8ce/Crazybumped.jpg

I posted this in Connary's other thread the other day, but i'll post it here too, it's cool and kinda releveant:

I made a quick little video to show how the bump map thing (this is not a detail map) is looking on an iceberg. Here is a small download, check it out - http://valitysdownloads.googlepages.com/iceberg.7z(3mb)

I have done an entire ice cavern like that, and once I've perfected how it will look I might release a tiny little sample mod for the one cavern.

...can't wait! :drool:

I'm always amazed at the difference a detail map makes...Though, I haven't used any in Morrowind (since I just started playing it) I have modded for other games and have always insisted on using these maps, regardless of the fps hit.
I think it really depends on the sizes and textures themselves as well as the engine's ability to handle them. At least in the games I've modded for, but again, I haven't dealt with Morrowind.
I'm really glad to see this thread, though. It makes me want to break out the CS and Photoshop.

Is it possible to detail map races? might make argonians look more scaley

Why yes...yes it is [possible] (keeps mouth shut without revealing anymore than is necessary; hush-hush and all that).

:D

This would look good to enhance the underwater environment.

Lol, i'm just trying to figure this out by looking at Vality7's Aylied meshes, unfortunately i dont seem to be getting any noticible results

Umm..sorry...bad explanation....bidirectional WRAP (WRAP S-WRAP T) and trilinear filter TRILER P.

New advancements:

http://img292.imageshack.us/my.php?image=bumpedvq8.jpg

5/5 stars

If Morrowind is going to look like this with detail maps, add them to your mod!

So if this is going to work ingame, I guess that would be in Connary's megapack textures V2?

Is it correct that detail maps can only be added to meshes and thus not to the landscape as such (well, unless one uses interior land pieces, of course..)?

Thanks,

Swiveller

Unless someone can do serious surgery on Morrowind.exe, that's correct. Some Nif-based games with a less open format are more amenable to editing the raw landscape, but Morrowind isn't one of those. We win some, we lose some!

Thank you for your reply. It's bit of a pity, but I guess it does release me from having to update my ground textures!

Swiveller

Your pm box may not be working. Anyways I know a trick or two. So pm anytime.

Bump for interesting discussion.

More detail mapped stuff for the people!