Normal Map vs. Bump Map

Hello all,

I have been using 3ds Max for years and using the Bump Map for depth, but can anyone explain the difference between a Normal and Bump map?

Also, how can I create Normal Maps?

Thank you.

 

Well these days people use the terms normal maps and bump maps to mean the same thing, but that's wrong. Really if you ever hear someone say bump map when related to realtime graphics, they mean normal maps, as bump maps, actual bump maps, haven't really been used in realtime for years (no call for them most of the time), though bump maps are just as useful in pre-rendered 3D as they ever were, cause normal maps are sometimes overkill in those cases and simply not required.

A bump map is a grayscale image that only simulates height (like a height map, without the actual displacement) but can't show which direction a particular spot or normal as it were, is facing, while a normal map simulates the direction the normal is facing as well as the height, giving a more realistic effect.

You also get different kind of normal maps

Tangent = The predominantly blue looking normal maps. You'll be using these almost all the time
World/Object = Mostly greens/yellows/reds. You'll want to Google why these aren't used so much in real time, as there's a few reasons, I wont get into it (because Tangent vs Object is a headache I don't care about anymore, lol).

You can Google how to create normal maps, as there's lots of ways to do it and lots of software that can be used, or just import a grayscale bump map into Unity and convert it to normal map. It wont give the best results, but it'll do for most things.

 

Thank you so much!

That explanation definitely helps me to understand the difference, which is quite a bit.

Again, thank you!

 

Great explanation! -_-b