Question about Bumpiness

Is there any way to control the size or rotation of the canned bump maps in SL independently from the texture itself?

Here's a simple example. I create a flat square prim for the floor of a deck. I apply a texture for the deck boards. The boards in the original texture run horizontally. Under "bumpiness" I select "siding". The "siding" bump map runs vertically. So I would like to change the rotation setting for either the texture or the bump map, but it appears this is not possible. Is this true or am I just missing something.

I realize using a texture that runs in the same direction as the bump map would work, but that only solves part of the problem. You still have issues with "repeats per face", etc.

Trying to create textures to match canned bump maps seems a bit backwards. Are the canned bump maps available somewhere?

Signed,
I can build but I got no bump.

Unfortunately, no.



They're in your SecondLife\skins\default\textures folder. They're in .j2c format, and there's a ton of files in that folder, so you'll need a JPEG2000 capable thumbnail viewer to sort through it all. Adobe Bridge works well for this, if you have it. If not, Google for "j2c thumbnail", and you'll find lots of viewers to choose from.

And of course you'll need a paint program that can read JPEG2000's in order to open them. If you have Photoshop, there's a plug-in for it in your Goodies folder or Goodies CD that came with your installation file or CD's (depending on whether you downloaded it or bought it at a store). I believe PSP is JPEG2000 capable, right out of the box, but don't quote me on that. If you're using GIMP, you'll need to hunt for a plug-in. I'm not sure whether any exist or not.

Alternatively, you could use a conversion program to copy the files to another format. I believe Irfanview can do it.

Thanks for the reply Chosen. I was hoping someone had a secret, but that was the answer I was expecting.

Judging by the file names for the .j2c files I'm guessing they are expecting people not to mess with those. Assuming that you went to the trouble to find a particular .j2c file, is there anything to stop you from modifying it and using it in SL? It looks like a lot of work for a small return, I'm more just curious than anything.

Oh, also, welcome back.

Don't modify the files. If you do, the changes in the bump patterns won't be visible to anyone but you. Everyone else will see the version that's in their own local folder.

The only reason to open the files is so you can use them as templates upon which to construct textures that will match the existing patterns. So, for example, those boards you mentioned in your original post could be sized properly to match the siding boards. That's it.

Hey Chosen,

Welcome back!

I looked for that folder I assumed that it was in the inventory library. I didnt see a "skins" folder. Is it a subfolder?

The "skins" folder should be right inside your master Second Life folder. If you're not using the latest viewer, you won't have the "default" folder, since there wasn't any choice of skins in the old ones. In that case the path would be Second Life\skins\textures. At least, that's how it is in the three very old viewers that are still on my hard drive from way back (Havok beta, some old RC, and Windlight beta).

If you don't see the skins folder at all, then I'm not sure what to tell you. Are you using a third party viewer, perhaps? About all I can think of to suggest is to check your OS folder options to make sure it's set to show all folders and all file types, and then try looking in every folder inside your viewer's main directory until you find the textures folder. It's got to be there somewhere.

Oh good point, I have been on the latest RC candidate for quite awhile, I'll check again.

Hi,
I have found recently that it is far better to use the Filters in Photoshop and then just Darkness or Lightness in Bumpy. You get a much better result, more control and variety.

soror)