Normalmap and channels

[PuffyAmi]

I know how to do normalmaps but I just can't figure out how to transform normalmap into sims type of normalmap with the channels Arranging thing. Reading this: http://www.ts3wiki.com/index.php?title=RGBA_Stencil_Mask#Working_with_Channels

Didn't really help me since I'm using Photoshop.

Can someone please give me an idiot's step by step guide of how to do this in photoshop?

[whiterider]

The channels thing you were reading is about the RGB mask, not the normalmap, which explains why you were confused. :)

You might find this helpful: http://www.ts3wiki.com/index.php?title=Normal_Map

[PuffyAmi]

Yea I read this first http://www.ts3wiki.com/index.php?title=Normal_Map
But when I came to the Arranging the Channels part I dont know how to continue anymore. The tutorial tells that if I'm not familiar working with channels I should look at that channel tutorial . But I still am not able to make that channel change.

So yea if someone who has done this often could tell me how to do it in photoshop. Pretty please.

[MrJazz]

Window menu and then choose Channels to see the channels

you will already have Red Green Blue. You can click on each one separate to work on it on its own. you can paste into it this way if you want, to edit each separate. if you need an alpha channel just click the button second from the right on the bottom of the Channels window. it says "create new channel" if you put your mouse over it.

is probably easiest to do this into a new document, so you can select each one, copy, and paste into the correct channel in the new document. it is just like using layers, only they are labeled with color names. you see? :) :) :)

[PuffyAmi]

Didn't really help sorry, if I do any modifictions to the channels the mode changes into CMYK, or multichannel or something like that.
(of course adding Alpha channel wont change anything into bad, I already learned by tutorial how to do that) but modifying Red, Green, Blue channels will take me nowhere good.

[whiterider]

Well, the image illustrates copying - you're supposed to copy the contents of the red channel (x) into the alpha channel; and the contents of the green channel (y) into the red and blue channels. Just use Ctrl-A, Ctrl-C, then switch to the target channel and Ctrl-V.

[PuffyAmi]

Alright I managed to do the channel modifications but now I have new problem.

I Exported EA's normal map and changed it into "blue" normalmap by NVidia's filter to "start over"

But when I'm done the ending result is horrible when I open that saved file back to photoshop again. Is it supposed to be like that? if not then what did I do wrong?