If you just want to add a normal map, you can share UV data between the diffuse map and the normal map.  You wont need multiple materials to do that, just a custom content processor.  Maybe that is the answer to your question. Or do you mean multiple diffuse and normal map textures per model?  Lets say you have a ...

[quote user="restorp"]That is so helpful, works like a charm now. Thanks a bunch! [/quote] Glad it worked for you.  I spent some time expanding on the NormalMapping.fx file used in that tutorial.  The code below is my expanded shader that will do normal maps, reflect maps, linear fog, and also has 3 specular ...

[quote user="UberGeekGames"]This is the thread here. I prefer to use the Particle 3D Sample off of this site for my stuff though - try both and see what you like better. [/quote] Yep the MS tutorial is very easy to add to an existing project.  Just be aware that because it is a drawable game component, anything that you want ...

[quote user="Naughty Puppy"] Am I overlooking something?[/quote] Who knows.  A lot of this is trial and error anyways; after a while you will figure out a way of doing things that makes sense for your game.

[quote user="Naughty Puppy"][quote user="moneras s"]For a 2D game it doesn't matter.  However, assuming you would want to tile the texture, having standardized sizes makes a lot of sense. [/quote] That does worry me.  The intention is to tile the texture such that it is a solid field of grass.  I ...

For a 2D game it doesn't matter.  However, assuming you would want to tile the texture, having standardized sizes makes a lot of sense.

[quote user="thecray"]That's seems like more of a problem with the way XNA imports and processes the data, not how Blender exports it, so it's not really relevant to this thread. It is an interesting problem though, and one I have in my list of things to tackle but have yet to do so.[/quote] Well I think all of these ...

[quote user="thecray"]I mean multiple diffuse textures which refer to different parts. after further inspection, it appears that I am using an exporter from the following site: http://www.triplebgames.com/downloads.html which may do things slightly differently than the default exporter.[/quote] But then what about changing ...

[quote user="thecray"][quote user="UberGeekGames"]Sure, you can export them to either .X or .FBX format, then add them to the content pipeline and load them into your game. Note that animations will require an external library such as XNA Animation, and getting textures and materials over can be tricky. [/quote] I don't ...

[quote user="ninjaneer"]Thanks, folks! Blender is now my new favourite program, at least for converting models. The 3DS to FBX conversion worked perfectly in blender, so far as I can tell, without having to tinker with any options. Thanks for the suggestion! [/quote] Blender saves the day again!  Its a great application, ...