A height/bump map is a type of grayscale image that simulates a 3D surface with lighter and darker values representing raised and depressed areas, respectively. It is mainly used to add surface detail on a flat 2D object and is then rendered through software to achieve realistic 3D effects.
A normal map uses RGB or RGBA values to simulate the same 3D surface. It creates a more realistic 3D effect because it uses vector-based depths instead of the flat grayscale values used by a height/bump map. Normal maps also provide a higher level of detail, which results in a more textured and life-like visualization.
@keisuke ?
A height/bump map is a type of grayscale image that simulates a 3D surface with lighter and darker values representing raised and depressed areas, respectively. It is mainly used to add surface detail on a flat 2D object and is then rendered through software to achieve realistic 3D effects.
A normal map uses RGB or RGBA values to simulate the same 3D surface. It creates a more realistic 3D effect because it uses vector-based depths instead of the flat grayscale values used by a height/bump map. Normal maps also provide a higher level of detail, which results in a more textured and life-like visualization.