Outstanding 16bit normal maps: GLOBE

[t00fri]

We are heading towards a new level of detail and smoothness after the 16bit/channel elevation data are being included into the generation of Celestia normal maps. In order to illustrate what we are getting at:

2 examples of the original 16bit GLOBE data converted directly with Chris' tool into an 8bit/channel normal map. I have color-inverted the normal map in order to create a more plastic impression. Note, the original GLOBE raw data come in small endian format. I used Photoshop to convert the data to big-endian as required by Chris' conversion tool. It would be good to have a command-line flag, Chris, for switching between small and big endianness...

Watch out for the subtle detail in the himalaya view of the first image, contrasting with the unperturbed flatness of the plain on the right. The second example illustrates a very famous and often active vulcano;-) in Sicily together with lots of further detail...

Bye Fridger

[JackHiggins]

That looks sooo cool...

What size is that normalmap though- 16k? 8k?

[Guest]

Fridger..fantastic stuff...when can we get hold of these?!!

[John Van Vliet]

i got the GLOBE data hear http://www.ngdc.noaa.gov/seg/topo/globeget.shtml
and i am working on a new BumpMap and Nornal map
-I didn't like my old one
hear is a shot from my new Bump map an 8192x4096.png
or
hear is a link to a larger image http://68.42.66.157/8kpan.png