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Last updated on 2024年8月15日

How do you test and preview normal maps in different lighting and viewing conditions?

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Normal maps are a powerful tool for creating realistic 3D textures, but they can also be tricky to test and preview in different lighting and viewing conditions. In this article, you will learn how to use various software and techniques to check your normal maps for errors, adjust their intensity and contrast, and see how they look under different angles and light sources.

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Elliott M.
Remi Nowakowski

Art Director @ CD Projekt RED / Promised Land Art Festival
Rashmika Madushan B.

Lighting - Environment - Level Artist / Unreal Engine

1 What are normal maps?

Normal maps are a type of texture map that store information about the direction and angle of the surface normals of a 3D model. Surface normals are vectors that point perpendicular to the surface at each pixel, and they affect how the light reflects and bounces off the surface. By using normal maps, you can create the illusion of depth and detail on a low-poly model without adding extra geometry. Normal maps are usually encoded in a RGB image, where each color channel represents a different axis of the normal vector.

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Rashmika Madushan B.

Lighting - Environment - Level Artist / Unreal Engine
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Efficient normal map testing involves key strategies. Start with precise UV mapping for accurate details and use high-quality normal maps, considering the impact of mipmap levels on varying distances. Experiment with diverse lighting scenarios and dynamic environments, utilizing interactive tools for hands-on adjustments. Seek feedback, iterate based on observations, and optimize for a balance between quality and performance. Maintain detailed documentation and versioning, and stay updated on the latest tools and techniques for continual improvement in normal map creation and testing within modeling software and game engines.

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Serge (Siarhei) Dziaruhin

??GameDev ? 3D Art 8+ years exp. |?SuperPower - Communication ??
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?? Efficiency Tip: Use Marmoset Toolbag for real-time normal map previews. Its dynamic lighting options make it easy to spot any issues quickly. #MarmosetToolbag #3DRendering

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2 How to create normal maps?

There are different ways to create normal maps, depending on your workflow and the level of detail you want to achieve. One common method is to bake normal maps from a high-poly model to a low-poly model, using a 3D software like Blender, Maya, or ZBrush. This way, you can transfer the details of the high-poly model to the low-poly model, while keeping the polygon count low. Another method is to generate normal maps from a grayscale image, using a 2D software like Photoshop, GIMP, or Substance Painter. This way, you can create normal maps from photos, drawings, or procedural textures, and control the height and depth of the bumps.

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Remi Nowakowski

Art Director @ CD Projekt RED / Promised Land Art Festival
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There are manual ways to create your normal map in 2D software (such as Photoshop for example). The 'flat' surface woud be RGB: 128, 128, 255 then and starting from this you can add detail by painting the shape/-s you aim to achieve. If you're looking to create a rectangle, lit from the top then use the following color values: - top ~ RGB: 128, 240, 180 - left ~ RGB: 10, 128, 180 - bottom ~ RGB: 128, 20, 180 - right ~ RGB: 240, 128, 240 Blending (even seamlessly) between them will allow you to create a perfectly rounded bump map.

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3 How to test normal maps?

Before applying your normal maps to your 3D model, you should test them for errors and quality issues. One way to do this is to use a normal map viewer, which is a standalone tool or a plugin that allows you to preview your normal maps on a flat surface or a simple shape. Some examples of normal map viewers are xNormal, NDO, or ShaderMap. You can use these tools to check for seams, artifacts, or inverted normals, and adjust the settings like intensity, contrast, or scale. You can also change the light direction and color, and rotate the camera to see how your normal maps react to different lighting and viewing conditions.

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Elliott M.
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Use a shader with a high material response, so something nice and shiny. Once done, load your baked normal map into the material and apply it to your game resolution mesh. With shiny materials, you can debug pretty much any shading and bake error when it comes to normal maps, and also in the modelling phase too. Using a standard lambert material for example will hide a lot of the errors, as these types of shaders are 'dry' and have no reflective properties. If your normal mapped game asset looks good to go with a shiny/metallic shader applied, then you've got yourself a solid asset that'll work in all types of lighting scenarios.

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4 How to preview normal maps?

Once you are satisfied with your normal maps, you can apply them to your 3D model and preview them in your game engine or rendering software. Depending on the software you use, you may need to set up a material or a shader that supports normal mapping, and assign your normal map to the correct slot or channel. You can also tweak the parameters like strength, tiling, or offset to fine-tune the appearance of your normal maps. To preview your normal maps in different lighting and viewing conditions, you can use various features like environment maps, dynamic lights, or post-processing effects. You can also move or rotate your camera or model to see how your normal maps look from different angles and distances.

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5 How to improve normal maps?

If you are not happy with the results of your normal maps, you can always go back and edit them using your software of choice. There are some tips and tricks that can help you improve your normal maps and make them more realistic and consistent. For example, you can use a high-pass filter to remove low-frequency details and enhance the contrast of your normal maps. You can also use a blur filter to smooth out the edges and reduce the noise of your normal maps. You can also use a color correction tool to adjust the hue, saturation, or brightness of your normal maps. Finally, you can use a layer blending mode like overlay or multiply to combine different normal maps or add extra details.

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6 How to learn more about normal maps?

Normal mapping is a complex and fascinating topic that can take your 3D textures to the next level. If you want to learn more about normal maps, you can explore various resources online, such as tutorials, blogs, forums, or videos. You can also experiment with different software and techniques, and compare your results with other artists. Normal mapping is a skill that requires practice and patience, but it can also be fun and rewarding.

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Serge (Siarhei) Dziaruhin

??GameDev ? 3D Art 8+ years exp. |?SuperPower - Communication ??
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Experiment with Software: Use tools like Blender or Unity to test normal maps under various lighting conditions. Adjust parameters and observe changes. ??

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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How do you test and preview normal maps in different lighting and viewing conditions?

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1 What are normal maps?

2 How to create normal maps?

3 How to test normal maps?

4 How to preview normal maps?

5 How to improve normal maps?

6 How to learn more about normal maps?

7 Here’s what else to consider

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