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differences between normal map and displacement map

ZBrush Usage Questions
#1

1-What is the difference between normal and displacement maps?

2-When would you use one instead of the other?

3-Do they have the same functionality in XSI?

#2

  1. Normal maps are sort of a fancy kind of bump map. The result is more realistic than bump, but it still won’t change the model’s actual silhouette. Displacement mapping will change the model’s outline. The most realistic results of all are when displacement and normal maps are both used.

  2. It mostly depends on your rendering engine. Some engines support one, and some support the other. A few support both. Normal maps are used the most often in games, and displacement maps are used more often for film.

  3. Where this question is not already answered by the above items, check your manual for XSI.

#3

thanks aurick