Are normal maps a function of shaders and can they be done in A6 now? If so, can someone share a script demonstrating this as I would like to test it on a MDL or two.

Thank you for your help!

normal mapping = (dot3) bump mapping = per pixel lighting

it's all the same...

the name is dot3 bump mapping because <normal dot light> gets done per pixel. this requires a normal per pixel and these normals are encoded in a normal map!

you can generate the normal map from a height map or from a high poly model. with high poly models you have more control over it and the results probably will be more impressive...

dO You have 2 generate normal maps, usin a normal map generator?
How do you generate it from a high poly model? Do i have to bake the textures?

No - you could probably make the normal maps by hand...it just wouldn't be too easy.

As for how, it varies depending on which program you are using (there are a dozen or so that I can think of right now).

In most case you create your low polygon model and then create another high polygon one - which other than the details is the same basic form. You then open up the low ploygon model in the Normal Mapping program and then import the High polygon model over top of that. Click whatever button it has to generate normal maps and wait.

Depending on how fast you computer is, how high poly the high poly model is and a few other factors - you will have your normal map in a few seconds to a few minutes.

Now most of them allow you to preview the model too. This is very important, since you will often have seams in the normal maps that you will want to get rid of. Sometimes you can do that by adjusting the UVs, other times you will need to touch up the normal map by hand (takes a bit of practice...but not too hard).

a quick and easy way, yet still looks great.. is creating a normal map from a greyscale...
1. export your models skin#1
2. install ati's normal map plugin for photoshop (or is it nvidia?)
3. Desaturate it (take the color out)
4. open the normal map plug in and tweak usimng the preview..
You can also use the normal map translator, which takes an image and converts it to normal map, but you have no control...

I have ZBrush 2 and it will allow me to import a low-poly model, create a super-high poly model (up to and over 2 million polygons ... and, yes, Z2 can display this in virtually real time even on my PC) and then export out a normal map for use in the low poly model. I am anxious to try this but I have no idea how to go about doing it.

Wouldn't what you are looking for be more allong the lines of a displacement mapping shader? Something like Crytek's "Polybump" - http://www.crytek.com/polybump/index.php?sx=polybump (free for non-commercial users/students). It is somewhat similar to a bumpmaping shader - like this one http://216.46.205.166/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Number=335986&page=&view=&sb=5&o=&fpart=1&vc=1 . Oliver's doesn't use displacement mapping, but it is very close. The only major difference is that the bumps do not "overlap" like in this example, http://www.conitecserver.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Number=335703&page=0&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=&fpart=1 . I think that with a bit of work a shader could be written for good displacement mapping, but it wouldn't be such an easy task. (You couldn't just "throw one together", that's for sure) Maybe if someone found a good dx8.1 example out there to convert.