Vector: Normal Map

Node Interface

Example Output

Overview

Function	Generate vectors from a bitmap for normal mapping
Nearest C4D equivalent	Simple material with the normal channel enabled

This node implements normal mapping by taking an image input and outputting a vector which is then linked to the Normal input of another node, such as Diffuse BSDF.

The image which is input should be a normal map. This will usually be in tangent space but if necessary you can switch to object or world space, depending on the map.

Settings

Note: a * symbol next to the name indicates the parameter also has an input port. A # symbol indicates that the parameter can only be changed with an input node, not in the node itself.

Mode drop-down menu

This allows you to set the correct space for the normal map. The choices are:

Tangent

This is the usual format produced by most software used to generate normal maps and is the node's default setting.

World, Object

Choose one of these spaces if the normal map has been generated using world or object space respectively.

Strength *

The strength of the normal displacement. A value of 0.0 will result in no displacement and therefore no effect.

Color *

The normal map. Link the Color output of an Image Texture node to this port.

Output

Normal

A vector output giving the new normals. Link this to the Normal input of a shader such as the Diffuse BSDF node.