How to effectively disable Normal Map using Switch Param?

Development Rendering
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I’m trying to build a nice master material for a class to use on some projects, and I’ve added Switch Params for each material component - Diffuse, Emissive etc - so students can have an easier time understanding how materials work. Blah blah blah…

So I’ve moved to the Normal Map slot and thought I’d check to see if there is another way to effectively disable the Normal Map slot - without incurring the extra instructions that come with just passing a normal color in a Constant3 Param. I’ve tried just passing a Constant 0 through the false input, but obviously that didn’t work too well.

Any ideas or maybe different avenues to achieve the same result? Thanks!

75579-normalswitch_001.jpg
75579-normalswitch_001.jpg2130×1300 154 KB

1 Like
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Hello JDuaneJ,

Instead of switching off the normal map, I think the only way to “flatten it” is to use the most flat value a normal map can have: 8080ff

that said, I am wondering what the value/input of the normal map is when not connected.

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Use a static switch node and a static bool param node to switch between normal map and flat.

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This is what I currently have and it works just fine. However, it would be great if the material didn’t charge me for the extra instructions the flat normal value costs.

5

Seems compelling, however I’m not sure your instructions are clear. A static bool param cannot be use with a switch param that has a texture input…at least not in my current setup. For now I think I’ll just take the extra instructions for times sake.

Still would be great to know how to do this without the extra instructions.

6

I found another post that worked just fine to me.

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Might be a long shot, but did you ever find the solution to this?

I am using a Static Switch Parameter with the normal map in true and a v3 (0,0,1) in false, and there is just a slight difference in shader complexity because it is still the same amount if instructions.