Using Paint.NET to create Normal Maps?

[Xzerizon]

I've been using Blender a lot recently, and, not wanting to front the money to buy a Normal Map generation program or (oh dear) use GIMP of all things, I decided to try creating a Normal Map in Paint.NET.

 

What is a Normal Map, you ask? Normal Maps are images that are used in conjunction with a texture to give the texture false 'depth', allowing, say, light to shine onto the bricks in a texture while not getting into the cracks between, or making light come from a specific side.

 

The original texture:

 

The normal map:

 

 

The result:

 

Not the best, as you can clearly see.

 

How could I make improvements? Is this even practical? Any suggestions?

[BoltBait]

Have you tried this plugin: http://forums.getpaint.net/index.php?/topic/24587-normal-map-renderer/

 

Or this: http://forums.getpaint.net/index.php?/topic/23936-the-normal-tools-v-011/

 

Or this: http://forums.getpaint.net/index.php?/topic/21224-heightmap-v13/ with http://forums.getpaint.net/index.php?/topic/2534-normal-map/

[Ego Eram Reputo]

http://searchpaint.net/  'tis thy friend

[Xzerizon]

Have you tried this plugin: http://forums.getpaint.net/index.php?/topic/24587-normal-map-renderer/

 

Or this: http://forums.getpaint.net/index.php?/topic/23936-the-normal-tools-v-011/

 

Or this: http://forums.getpaint.net/index.php?/topic/21224-heightmap-v13/ with http://forums.getpaint.net/index.php?/topic/2534-normal-map/

 

Ah. Thank you, BoltBait. As it turns out, the Normal Tools and Heightmap work spectacularly together. Thanks for the links.

 

 

http://searchpaint.net/  'tis thy friend

 

Yeah, I would have searched if I had any idea that normal mapping plugins existed. Unfortunately, I didn't. Oh well.