# How to effectively disable Normal Map using Switch Param? **URL:** \ **Category:** Rendering\ **Tags:** normal-map, unreal-engine, question\ **Created:** [January 22, 2016, 9:55pm UTC](https://forums.unrealengine.com/t/how-to-effectively-disable-normal-map-using-switch-param/344985 "2016-01-22T21:55:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![JDuaneJ](https://d3kjluh73b9h9o.cloudfront.net/original/4X/2/8/5/28502927f1d97ba1051b3b47ccfe17233bf41ef0.png) [@JDuaneJ](https://forums.unrealengine.com/u/JDuaneJ)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2016, 9:55pm UTC](https://forums.unrealengine.com/t/how-to-effectively-disable-normal-map-using-switch-param/344985/1 "2016-01-22T21:55:23Z")
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](https://d3kjluh73b9h9o.cloudfront.net/original/4X/c/4/0/c400c207a9936ff8862a1c1c7851685c46ce760c.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![Luos](https://d1ap1mz92jnks1.cloudfront.net/user_avatar/forums.unrealengine.com/luos/32/918700_2.png) [@Luos](https://forums.unrealengine.com/u/Luos)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2016, 2:13am UTC](https://forums.unrealengine.com/t/how-to-effectively-disable-normal-map-using-switch-param/344985/2 "2016-01-23T02:13:38Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![HiIAmMoot](https://d3kjluh73b9h9o.cloudfront.net/original/4X/2/8/5/28502927f1d97ba1051b3b47ccfe17233bf41ef0.png) [@HiIAmMoot](https://forums.unrealengine.com/u/HiIAmMoot)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2016, 10:29am UTC](https://forums.unrealengine.com/t/how-to-effectively-disable-normal-map-using-switch-param/344985/3 "2016-01-29T10:29:22Z")
Use a static switch node and a static bool param node to switch between normal map and flat. ---
**Author:** ![JDuaneJ](https://d3kjluh73b9h9o.cloudfront.net/original/4X/2/8/5/28502927f1d97ba1051b3b47ccfe17233bf41ef0.png) [@JDuaneJ](https://forums.unrealengine.com/u/JDuaneJ)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2016, 7:09pm UTC](https://forums.unrealengine.com/t/how-to-effectively-disable-normal-map-using-switch-param/344985/4 "2016-02-01T19:09:20Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![JDuaneJ](https://d3kjluh73b9h9o.cloudfront.net/original/4X/2/8/5/28502927f1d97ba1051b3b47ccfe17233bf41ef0.png) [@JDuaneJ](https://forums.unrealengine.com/u/JDuaneJ)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2016, 7:15pm UTC](https://forums.unrealengine.com/t/how-to-effectively-disable-normal-map-using-switch-param/344985/5 "2016-02-01T19:15:25Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![anonymous\_user\_6a5ea464](https://d3kjluh73b9h9o.cloudfront.net/original/4X/2/8/5/28502927f1d97ba1051b3b47ccfe17233bf41ef0.png) [@anonymous\_user\_6a5ea464](https://forums.unrealengine.com/u/anonymous_user_6a5ea464)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2017, 6:37pm UTC](https://forums.unrealengine.com/t/how-to-effectively-disable-normal-map-using-switch-param/344985/6 "2017-03-13T18:37:20Z")
I found another post that worked just fine to me. > **[How to keep Texture Sample empty?](https://forums.unrealengine.com/questions/354797/how-to-keep-texture-sample-empty.html)** > > Hey guys, How can I keep a Texture Sample empty ? For instance I want to create a master Material for further usage for instancing and I want to have an option for Normal map to use detail Normal Map over my Normal Map, but not always, some times I... ---
**Author:** ![XxpiingyxX](https://d3kjluh73b9h9o.cloudfront.net/original/4X/2/8/5/28502927f1d97ba1051b3b47ccfe17233bf41ef0.png) [@XxpiingyxX](https://forums.unrealengine.com/u/XxpiingyxX)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2024, 7:33am UTC](https://forums.unrealengine.com/t/how-to-effectively-disable-normal-map-using-switch-param/344985/7 "2024-12-12T07:33:56Z")
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.