UniNotes
Uni
3rd Year
Graphics Programming
3D Textures
Alpha Mapping
Cube Mapping
Degenerate triangle
Displacement Mapping
Illumination Models and Shading Techniques
Normal Mapping
Texture Filtering
Triangle Strip
UV Mapping
index

Normal Mapping

Normal mapping uses a texture (Normal Map) to alter the surface normals of an object, creating the illusion of complex surface detail like bumps and scratches without adding extra geometry.

More about Normal Maps
Normals.gif
NormalMap.png

Info

Normal maps encode variations in surface direction, making light reflect as if the surface has depth and detail. Unlike actual geometry, it doesn't change the silhouette of the object.

You can think of normal mapping as...

adding “fake” bumps to the surface. Imagine a textured wallpaper—it looks like it has depth, but if you touch it, it’s actually flat. Normal maps create this illusion using light interaction.

Normal map spaces

Table Of Contents
Normal Mapping