Normal Maps & Mouth SSS & Skin SSS for Olympia for Genesis. What are they and why would I turn them

maxwellsteed2

The Olympia Character has some setting I am not sure what they are for.

I have the "Olympia 6 All MAT".

I also have "Normal MAP Off" and "Normal MAP On"

Is the Normal MAP off or on when I apply the "Olympia 6 All MAT"?

How do I check to see if it is Off or On?

What about Mouth SSS?

Is it off or on when I apply "Olympia 6 All MAT"?

Why would I want to turn it off or on?.

What is the default setting for Skin SSS when I apply "Olympia 6 All MAT"? Is it 75%?

Why would I change it?

XoechZ

A normal map is like a bump map. But it has a higher resolution, so you get more details with it.
You can always check the current settings and applied maps in the surfaces tab with the character selected.

Design Anvil - Razor42

Most of these options are for either personal preference or better render quality under different lighting conditions,

Really its probably a lot easier to just experiment with some renders with different lighting conditions to gain a familiarity with these settings.

But try these to give you a little background on each.

For SSS basis try this: http://docs.daz3d.com/lib/exe/fetch.php/public/read_me/index/16324/16324_subsurface-shader-base.pdf

For a background on Normal maps try: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Normal_mapping

Jaderail

For SSS Mouth on is only useful if the figures mouth will be open and need to interact with a light source. If not SSS is not needed and in some uses can cause mouth glow, (if even one light in the scene does not cast a shadow as an example).
Normal maps are more advanced versions of Bump maps. The difference here is Normal maps are either on or Off. Bump Maps can be user controlled as to how strong or week the bump map will be per render as they can be changed in the Min Max settings.

maxwellsteed2

Thanks for the info everyone.

So, do I need NORMAL and Bump maps or is it one or the other?