What is the difference between bump, normal and displacement? Vocabulary dvachera What is soot dvach

In this article, we will take a closer look at the differences between bump maps and normal and displacement maps.

Are you having difficulty assigning a bump map to a 3D object? Do not worry! Many 3D artists who are just getting started with 3D texturing have difficulty in this area, not knowing which type of maps to choose: bump, normal and displacement.

All three types of maps create additional detail on the surface of the geometry. Some of these parts are "real", others are not. So, let's try to figure out what is the difference between bump, normal and displacement maps.

What are cardsbump

Bump maps are one of the oldest types of maps. And the first thing to understand is that bump creates fake detail. This is true, as bump maps create the illusion of depth on the surface of the model using a light trick. No additional detail is added.

Typically, bump maps are 8-bit black and white images. And that's only 256 colors of black, gray, or white. With these values, bump maps tell the 3D editor only 2 things: deform the geometry up or down.

When the bump map values \u200b\u200bare close to 50% gray, almost nothing happens to the geometry surface. When the image is brighter, closer to white, the details are extruded onto the surface of the geometry. If the image is darker, closer to black, the details are pressed into the surface of the geometry.

Bump maps are great for creating fine detail on a model's surface, such as pores or wrinkles in the skin. Plus, it's relatively easy to create them in a 2D editor like Photoshop, keeping in mind that you only need to work with black and white colors.

The disadvantage of bump maps is that the detail created with their help can be quickly lost if you look at an object from the wrong angle. In addition, when using bump maps, the silhouette of the model remains unchanged, as they create fake, not real, detail.

What are cardsnormal

Normal maps or normal maps are improved bump maps. Normal maps, like bump maps, create fake detail without adding additional geometry details to the scene. As a result, normal maps create the illusion of detail on the surface of the model, but this detail is fundamentally different from that which bump maps create.

As we already know, bump maps use black and white colors to bump or bump the surface of the geometry. Normal maps work with RGB information that exactly matches the X, Y, and Z values \u200b\u200bin the 3D scene. This RGB information tells the 3D editor the exact direction of the normals of each surface polygon. The orientation of surface normals, often referred to simply as normals, tells the 3D editor what color to paint a particular polygon.

Normal maps come in two types and look completely different in 2D.

The most common type of normal maps are tangent space normal maps, which often combine purple and blue colors. This type of normal maps is best for meshes that need to deform during animation. Normal tangent space maps are ideal for characters. For objects that are static and do not experience deformation, normal maps like object space are more suitable. These maps are colored differently and render slightly faster than normal tangent space maps.

There are a few things to be aware of when using normal maps. Unlike bump maps, these maps are more difficult to create in a 2D editor like Photoshop. Normal maps are baked from a high-poly mesh to a low-poly mesh. However, there are several ways to edit them. For example, the ability to edit normal maps is provided in MARI.

In addition, normal maps fit better than others in most pipelines. But unlike bump maps, there is an exception to this rule. And it's about mobile gamedev, as hardware has only recently started to "understand" normal maps.

What are cardsdisplacement

When it comes to creating extra detail for low-poly meshes, displacement maps come into play, which can work wonders. Displacement maps create the physical detail of the mesh they are assigned to. To create a displacement, the mesh must be subdivided several times or tessellated so that the resolution is sufficient to create real geometry.

Displacement maps benefit from the fact that they can be baked from a high-poly mesh or drawn by hand. Displacement maps, like bump maps, work with black and white color values. However, 8-bit displacement maps can be used with ease, but better results can be obtained with 16- or 32-bit displacement maps. And although 8-bit displacement maps look better in 2D space, they can cause strange artifacts and so on in rendering due to insufficient information.

But as for the rendering time, then everything is far from so cool. Creation of additional detailing in real time is a rather laborious process, which a 3D editor will not cope with quickly. In addition, most 3D editors calculate displacement already on render. Compared to bump and normal maps, displacement maps can seriously affect render times.

Nothing can handle the detail like displacement maps do. And, since the surface of the geometry actually changes, this is reflected in the silhouette of the model as well. But in doing so, you always need to evaluate the real need, as well as the benefits of using displacement maps.

Simultaneous use of all cards

In some cases, a bump or normal map can be used in conjunction with displacement for the same object. However, the displacement map is best used for significant geometry changes, and the bump and normal maps are best used to add small details.