My explaination of using bump maps might have been misunderstood, I'm not sure. I am not implying that bump maps should be used INSTEAD of a Terrain or Lattice, for raised surfaces, but in CONJUCTION with. I was hoping to show everyone how the two together can make a better final result. Yes, Terrains and Lattices can be made to simulate a "bump" for models that they create, that's obvious. But, in projects like this, there comes a height point where a terrain or lattice is of no use. That is because the terrain or lattice is made in 3D from a 2D picture in a 3D enviroment. It's the SIDES of the height points in a Terrain or Lattice that is the (slightly) uncontrolable part. If I made the engravings on my shield come up to far with the lattice, they would make the shield look silly, and the sides of the engravings would look far too rough unless I smoothed out the picture to the point where...well to square one again. As you smooth, the height falls and slightly spreads, too much that it starts to become incompatible with the texture (and any other map) you will apply to it. There is a perfect balance between the height points of a terrain/lattice and the bump map that is used for it. I think I have stumbled across that balance (for this project anyway). Or, at least I am close. I am of the opinion that really almost any model without a bump map (unless it's supposed to perfectly smooth) is a handicap to the final render. Let me show you my point with the above picture, the same render as the original shield with the Image (texture) map completely removed on both sides. On the left is with the Lattice only, on the right is the Lattice but also with the Bump Map. See the difference? Which side would you want to have in your pic? In this case (so far) a really low height in the Lattice and a good bump is the way to go. But, yes...in other cases, it CAN be the complete opposite. Some other exaples in Part 2 coming up, and... why the heck am I using a Symmetrical Lattice and not just a Straight Terrain? There is a VERY good answer to that. Agent Smith

AgentSmith wrote: >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> If I made the engravings on my shield come up to far with the lattice, they would make the shield look silly... <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< The same would be true if you set the bump map level too high. Indeed, if a terrain and a bump map were made from the same image, they would suffer the same problems in terms of edge roughness, etc. As can be seen from examining your shield work, the techniques you use are valid and highly successful in the context of your final image (they are also efficient in terms of memory use and file size). However, they would break down if the shield needed to be seen from close up at an oblique angle - always a problem and limitation with bump maps. A model made with all surface texture as 'real', will always stand up to more scrutiny than one with a surface texture made completely or partially from bump maps. However, it often isn't possible to do all surface texture as 'real', and it's even less often desirable in terms of resources. It depends on the context. If your shield was to be used as part of a larger subject, the combination technique is the most sensible. If the shield was the main subject of a series of very high-resolution pictures (or an animation) showing it from many angles, then an entirely modelled surface would be the most appropriate. You originally presented the shield as a demonstration of the ability of terrain (lattice) work to create convincing models, but ironically the shield doesn't actually make much use of the terrain aspect. In this case, it is your texture work that is winning the day. Nothing wrong with that. :-)

"The same would be true if you set the bump map level too high" Actually, untrue...I can/have manually set the bump level to 300. The bump effect will get to a certain level and it's effects will stop (level off)way before 300. And, even at that setting, the effect of the bump map would not be so detracting to the final render, just undesirable. The terrain/lattice will also level off at a certain point if taken up as the bump map, yet at that point the engravings are as tall as telephone poles, and your render is ruined. The idea (as it stands) is to get both to work together to produce models/renders that are of higher quality. My original study on the making detailed lattice work was slightly derailed when my practice turned up good preliminary results. I then practiced on the Mapping part of the model, which would have happened anyway, but was originally planned for secondary banana to the Lattice work. But, I TOTALLY agree on what you have been saying (in context)about a detailed model being superior to bump maps. It is true and always will be. Bump maps cannot take the place of real detail in a model. Just not possible. Originally, yes...the Shield was presented as a ONGOING study in making detailed Lattice work, not a finished how-to...just the tip of the iceberg I'm now discovering. While I know how to make great detailed Lattice/Terrain, I must practice at it, and (come close to) perfecting the technique. I hope what I have discovered and shown so far in this continuing, WIP will help fellow members. And, once I get the Lattice work down as well as I have the mapping...;o) Thanks for your comments. Agent Smith