TrainBumpSpecEnv.fx Clarification in 3DC

[JerryC]

Quick and Dirty:

The shader you describe is used to create very shiney special effects, like rail-wheel tread or chrome. If you want to control the amount of shine, then use the TrainBumpSpecEnvMask.fx. The "Mask" refers to the Alpha channel on the Diffuse texture. Goes something like this:

- Diffuse Texture with Alpha channel. This is your purty colordy map of whatever it is you are making. The alpha channel can be varied to create specular shine. Totally black = totally flat. Totally white = high gloss.
- 2nd Diffuse Channel : No texture.
- Bump Map : a texture as you described being created with Nvidia tools. Not technically a "bump" map because it does not physically distort the surface. Can be used to create the perception of raised or depressed surfaces. Example - the weld lines on the VRC CSX Slug.
- Specular Map: maybe witbout the "Mask" shader this would be useful, but it makes for shine without variability.
- Environment Map: a small dummy texture that will be replaced by reflections in the game.