It seems to be a cotton candy version of whatever I'm working on with no discernable benefit to any adjustment layer in Photoshop.

Can this be turned off or is it necessary in some way I don't understand?

An example is posted.

Thanks.

Yes  you can turn that off.

Open the scripts menu, Partners/Dimension3D and run the Render Firefly script.

In the window that comes up, uncheck Normal in the lower left then apply.

If your default scene is doing it, resave your default scene as well.

under Auxiliary Render Data in your Render Settings uncheck 'Normal'

'cotton candy', LOL :)

Quote - under Auxiliary Render Data in your Render Settings uncheck 'Normal'

 

'cotton candy', LOL :)

I forgot you could do it that way. I rarely use the default render Window, lol.

Ah, there we go.  What the hell is "Normal"?  What could that possibly be used for except to make psychedelic 60's Retro Music posters?

Just a guess, but a normal map of the image.

A normals map is used to add tons of detail to a low poly model.

Think of it as a bump map that can bump in 3d. the 3 colors (RGB) are xyz offsets.

Poser has supported it for a while, but not to many people use it.

It is used a lot in games to drastically cut down on the poly count without loosing much detail. There are draw backs to using normals maps thou.

like a displacement map, although displacement maps actually move the geometry whereas normal maps only alter shading, but the geometry stays 'flat'.

If you want to see how it works, take that n image you posted, fire up poser and load in a low res square. make an image node and plug it into the gradient bump channel.

Change it from gradient to normal (forget which one) and render it.

Now that simple 4 vertex plane will show the details from the n map.

Edit:

Viewing it from a steep angle will show the limitations, like Black said, its an illusion based on the normals

William,

Apply that image as a normal to a boring vertical plane object that has the same proportions and render it.  Better than using a bump image.

Cool, thanks...learn something new every day.

(I'm just glad it's off ;))

I am always amazed at the info in this forum. Noob to Poser and I find all the dials settings so intimating...Finally got just posting a portrait...

You people really know the program inside and out...Keep up the good work!

Quote - Ah, there we go.  What the hell is "Normal"? 

Certainly not me - no one can accuse me of that!

Thanks! I wondered how to use a normal map in Poser- I did'nt know it could be selected under gradient bump!