Viper1 said:
Here is a list of some objects and models found inside the game and their technical aspects. Be sure to check the list of Early Objects and Unused Planets as well. What you'll notice is that many things have a normal map but nothing has a parallax map. Also to note, High Voltage Software's Quantum Engine 3 (regarding as one of the most graphically advanced 3rd party Wii game engines) does not feature parallax mapping at all. |
Actually the side view is the only way to tell if its parallax maping. Parallax mapping actually makes things protrude and adds visible depth. Normal mapping just makes things look a little more detailed than they actually are when you look head on. You can tell normal mapping from any angle, but you can only see parallax mapping by viewing it directly from the side.
The boulders in Galaxy stick out and you can see the depth in them. Normal and EMBM mapping don't make things convex and concave. They also have no effect on shadows.
http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r6/ktbluear/Fig25.jpg
Left normal | Right parralax
http://encelo.netsons.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/normal_parallax.jpg
1st normal mapping. 2nd parllax
http://cowboyprogramming.com/images/pmbh/Fig-5a.jpg
http://cowboyprogramming.com/images/pmbh/Fig-5b.jpg
The only thing I saw the effect on was the boulders and that link doesn't give details on them. You can see the depth in the boulders and their shadows in at most angle. Only when you look at it paraallel to the side does it become apparent that it is just a texture.