I scanned the FAQ and forum contents but couldn't find an answer to this one. I'm using Daz's eagle in 3DStudio and I'm looking for a way to convert the Eagle's BUM format bumpmap into a JPG or other type of file that 3DStudio can read for it's bumpmap slot. Daz replied to this question saying that it's not possible. Is the BUM file type that different that nothing can read it? thanks! -Jim

Sure, why not? Just load up your favorite paint program ... (I used PSP) Load the .bum file and then save it as a .jpg, .bmp, or whatever other format you want. cheers, dr geep ;=]

The .bum is really just a Windows .bmp format image. You can convert the format, but no one has ever figured out how to "un-emboss" the .bum to extract the original image.

Thanks geep and Nance! I figured when I asked this (my first post) it might turn out to be that easy. I renamed my file to .BMP and loaded up a greenish looking image into Photoshop. I think I've got it from here! thanks again, -Jim

You still need to de-emboss the original image to mak it work correctly. If you have (or know) someone with a MAC OS then you can use the plug-ins for GraphicsCoverter that MartiC wrote. They will de-emboss the green bum & save it as a proper grayscale image that most 3D apps use. You can get the PoserSpeedbump plug-in here: http://www.soft-rabbit.com/

Well blow me over - perhaps I stand corrected. Willf2, (not a Mac user here) will Martin's app actually de-emboss the map or just extract a grayscale image from one of the RGB channels? Does it yield the original grayscale without any residual effect of the channel offsets?

Attached Link: http://www.soft-rabbit.com/

The filter performs a real "de-emboss" function, resulting in a greyscale template that (somehow) matches the one that was used in the first place. However, it will not (and cannot) re-create the precise original, because Poser's .bum conversion is not "reversably unique" (which means that it is even impossible to re-create the original) and also subject of various rounding errors which make it even more difficult to reverse the process. For that reason, the resulting grayscale will contain a couple of distortions (mainly some gray shades) that typically need some retouching/editing afterwards. If you have a chance to get the original it will be the first choice, but if you can't then the re-conversion is a reasonable alternative. I'm terribly sorry that I can't offer a PC version (yet).

Thanks for the explanation Martin. Always nice to get the skinny straight from the source.

This is a little sample - on the left is the original (from the P4 female template), in the middle the Poser .bum conversion, and on the right the re-conversion by the filter. You can see that it is different - it has less contrast and a slightly different gradiation curve. If you have very large near-"plain" areas you will also get some of the shades that I mentioned. I'm still very happy that it works *that* good... :-)