What Are Normal Maps

A normal map is an RGB texture map that instructs a render engine what direction to bounce light. Normal maps are used to create the illusion of high detail on low-poly surfaces.

What Is A Normal Map

A normal map is a type of texture map that is used to add the appearance of high-resolution detail to a low-resolution model. It does this by altering the surface normals (the direction that the surface faces) of the model. In short, normal maps instruct the render engine which direction to bounce and reflect light within an x, y, z coordinate system.

How Normal Maps Work

Normal maps are typically created using RGB images, with each colour channel representing a different direction (red for the X axis, green for the Y axis, and blue for the Z axis). The colours in the normal map are used to specify the direction that the surface should face at each point on the model. When the normal map is applied or baked into a model, it creates the appearance of bumps, dents, and other surface details without the need for additional geometry.

What Are Normal Maps Used For

Normal maps are typically used to create the appearance of high-polygon models without the need for the additional geometry, which can help to improve rendering performance. They are commonly used in a variety of applications, including film, television, and video games to create realistic and detailed 3D environments and objects.

Summary

Overall, normal maps are a useful tool for adding realism and detail to 3D models, allowing artists to create the appearance of complex surface features without the need for high-polygon models. They are typically used in conjunction with other types of texture maps, such as displacement, diffuse, ambient osculation, roughness and specular maps to create a more realistic and detailed representation of the surface of a model.