Creating a Normal Map with CrazyBump!
CrazyBump provides users with a fast and effective way of creating different map types for your 3D models.
You can download CrazyBump here:
http://www.crazybump.com/
For this example we will be using CrazyBump to create a normal map for a texture of a brick wall. This will add dimension and depth to our 2D image.
Step 1:
Open Crazy bump select the folder in the bottom left corner and select “Open photograph from file”.
Select your image. CrazyBump will then provide you with 2 map type options. One map extruding out and the other inward.
For this example we want to extrude out, so I’ll select the left option.
Using the sliders adjust the level of extrusion to your liking. General rule of thumb, the higher the Intensity the further out the extrusion will appear.
Step 4:
When your happy with the settings click Save!
Just like that you have a normal map!
This can be added to your model’s texture by placing in the Bump map slot in a 3D program like Maya.
In Maya, open the Hypershade Window. Select your texture and in the Property Editor you’ll find Bump/Normal Mapping.
Example of Brick texture with Normal map.