Ok, let's get this started. First shader is:

mm_HeightToNormal

Here is how the UI should look like by default with all of the default values and an example node graph setup.
UI.jpg

mm_HeightToNormal.zip

I’ve been working on this one for a while as I was learning more and more about normal ...

This is going to be a topic about some (hopefully) useful OSL scripts that can help you regain control over your normal maps. I will be posting them as they are finished. I will also optimize and clean up the code over time and hopefully add some more features.

Some things you can expect to see ...

Regarding my huge post about normal mapping issues , in the mean time, I've made some progress implementing normal mapping FROM SCRATCH using OSL.

Here's a video demonstrating some of the improvements to diffuse shading. I am simply using view direction to gradually reduce intensity of normal maps ...

Hey Pascal

That's a great idea, as always! I'm writing this in a hurry so I apologize for not being able to thank you properly.

All you have to do to fix the "issue" is remove the "/6". You don't need it. Also in my tests actually max() operation worked better than +.

I'll be back over the ...

You can daisy chain multiple raytype nodes together, each with a different Ray option, by connecting them to input A like this:
nodes.png

So, basically you can just ctrl-drag that OSLTexture node, connect it in the input A of the first one and change the Ray to Refraction. That will now hide that ...

No.

Wrong.

This will hide a material from reflections:

Add an OSLTexture to Opacity
Script category: utils Script presets: Raytype.osl
set Ray to: Reflection
Swap: check

Same works for refractions, shadows, ambient occlusion, diffuse/caustics and camera by changing the Ray menu to a ...

I am on R19 and the plugin is installed in the usual Program Files/MAXON/...etc. folder.

I just tried R20 too and I didn't see that issue no matter where I Installed the plugin :?. I tried both appdata and program files locations. Both 4.02.1R3 and 2018.1.1 work fine. I'm not sure what else could ...

@Fake Pilot

This might be specific to the way you installed Octane. I vaguely remember someone else also complaining about this but regarding the shaders menu instead (discussion is buried in the release threads so it's hard to find). Below you can see how that menu should look like and that's how ...

Sure, here it is. In the meantime I also added Side in opacity to reduce the number of specular bounces that are needed. This is not necessary but it helps with more complex models.

Cheers
Milan

In addition to what Beppe just wrote, you can also hide Texture Emission in refractive materials by disabling "visible on specular". Here I used a Universal material with Transmission 1 and IOR 1.0001, just enough to make it qualify as refractive material.

https://i.imgur.com/m93E8fj.gif ...