Normal Map vs Texture Sizes

[Cyndi]

Do normal maps need to be the same size as the regular texture? As in can I use a 1024 x 1024 diffuse, and a 512 x 512 normal?

If not, is there any benefit to using a smaller sized _n.dds, or does it make a huge difference?

 

I should note, that what I'm working on isn't a very big piece, it's just an arm band.

 

 

Warning: Pics might be a little big.

 

 

 

 

 

 

....  On another note, is GIMP about the best way to go for doing normal maps, with a free program, and/or does anyone know of a normal map plug-in for paint.net hiding somewhere?

[Leito86]

That won't be an issue.  You can use different map sizes on the same object.  Smaller size maps means less memory that the computer needs to cache the texture though it comes at the cost of quality.

 

I doubt another 1024 map will make much of a performance hit to any PC that can run Skyrim well.