What is a normal map?

A normal map is a texture that stores surface direction information, allowing 3D models to appear more detailed without adding geometry. It's commonly used in game development and 3D graphics to simulate complex surface details.

Should I invert the Y channel?

It depends on your target engine. DirectX uses inverted Y channels, while OpenGL uses non-inverted Y channels. Check your 3D software or game engine documentation to determine which format you need.

Can I create normal maps from photos?

Yes, you can upload any image and convert it to a normal map. The tool interprets brightness as height information to generate the normal map. Works best with height maps or grayscale images.

Options

Strength 3.0

Level (Blur) 0

Invert Height

Invert Y (Green Channel)

Normal Map Maker

Convert height maps or images into normal maps for 3D graphics

Choose Image

Original Image

Normal Map

How to use: Upload a height map or grayscale image. The generator will analyze the brightness values to calculate surface normals. Adjust the strength to control the depth effect, and use the level slider to smooth the result.

Y Channel Inverter

Convert existing normal maps between DirectX and OpenGL formats by inverting the Y (green) channel.

Choose Normal Map