Still more bump map magic. Because the height is a single number, I can manipulate the height using math nodes. Observe how the Bias node is able to change the contour on the edge of the tiles.

I've gone so far beyond what normal maps can do now, it's not even a fair comparison anymore.

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Renderosity forum reply notifications are wonky. If I read a follow-up in a thread, but I don't myself reply, then notifications no longer happen AT ALL on that thread. So if I seem to be ignoring a question, that's why. (Updated September 23, 2019)