How do you create and use custom normal map shaders and materials in your 3D software?

1 Normal map generation

To create a normal map, you need a high-resolution model and a low-resolution model that share the same UV layout. The high-resolution model should have all the fine details that you want to capture in the normal map, such as bumps, scratches, wrinkles, or pores. The low-resolution model should have a simplified geometry that matches the shape of the high-resolution model. You can use a tool like xNormal, Substance Painter, or Blender to bake the normal map from the high-resolution model to the low-resolution model. The result is a texture that has different colors representing the direction of the surface normals.

2 Normal map shader

To use a normal map in your 3D software, you need a normal map shader that can interpret the texture and modify the lighting and shading of your model accordingly. Most 3D software have built-in normal map shaders that you can apply to your material. For example, in Maya, you can use the aiNormalMap node in the Arnold renderer, or the bump2d node in the Maya Software renderer. In Blender, you can use the Normal Map node in the Cycles or Eevee renderers. In 3ds Max, you can use the Normal Bump node in the Scanline or Mental Ray renderers. You can also create your own custom normal map shader using a node-based editor or a scripting language.

3 Normal map material

To make your normal map look realistic and consistent with your model, you need to adjust the parameters and effects of your normal map material. For example, the strength parameter controls how much the normal map affects the surface normals of your model, with a higher value resulting in more pronounced details. You can also invert the direction of the normal map if necessary, or adjust the tiling to scale the normal map to fit your model or create a seamless pattern. Additionally, you can use the offset parameter to align the normal map with your texture or create variations, as well as blend it with another texture such as a bump map, displacement map, or height map for more complex and layered details.

4 Normal map tips

For optimal results with your normal map, make sure it is in tangent space, which means it is relative to the UV layout of your model. Avoid stretching or distorting the normal map, as this can cause artifacts and errors in the lighting and shading of your model. To maintain quality and accuracy, use a high-quality image format for your normal map, such as PNG or TIFF. Furthermore, test your normal map in various lighting and viewing conditions, and adjust the parameters and effects of your normal map material accordingly. You can also use a normal map viewer tool, such as Marmoset Toolbag or ShaderMap, to preview and tweak your normal map. By following these steps, you can create custom normal map shaders and materials in your 3D software to achieve a realistic and detailed surface.