From the course: Introduction to 3D

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Bumps and normal maps

Bumps and normal maps

From the course: Introduction to 3D

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Bumps and normal maps

- [Instructor] Materials can also be used to add detail to a model using techniques such as bump displacement and normal mapping. So let's take a look at this simple sphere. Now, this sphere by itself has a smooth surface. If I wanted to create a bumpier surface, typically I would have to add detail and sculpt it. But I can use an image map to actually affect the way that the surface appears. So I'm going to actually use a map that looks like this. Now, this map, when applied to the object as a bump map, turns it into this. Now, this creates the illusion that there is surface roughness and a change in surface detail. This bump map is basically an optical illusion. It creates the illusion that the surface is rougher than it actually is. Now, if I were to render this, you would see that while it looks rough, but along the edges you'll see that it's still a smooth sphere. So the actual roughness created by the bump map…

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