Normal Map OPGL

This project demonstrates the use of normal maps to improve the visual quality of 3D objects in computer graphics. It provides a program that allows users to see the difference in quality by applying normal maps. There are shown 2 practices to generate a normal map: One method uses a diffuse map, while the other method uses a height map. The project also provides a way for users to interact with a 3D cube and observe the difference between the base texture created and the texture with the normal map.

Getting Started

The program will open a window displaying a 3D cube with a texture applied to it. It uses a normal map generated from a diffuse map (diffuse.png) in the textures folder by default. The cube is interactive, and you can manipulate it using various keyboard inputs.

Keyboard Controls

• Press N: Toggle between the base texture and the normal map texture.
• Use other keys as specified in the program to manipulate the cube's position, rotation, and other parameters.

Generating Normal Maps

This project provides two methods for generating normal maps:

1. Diffuse Map Method: The program can use a normal map created from the provided diffuse map (diffuse.png), but this method is substantially wrong for generating normal maps.

2. Height Map Method: The preferred method is to use a height map(h_map_noise.jpg) to generate the normal map.

Viewing the Generated Normal Maps

The original normal maps can be found in the textures folder:

• normal.png: This is the normal map generated using the diffuse map method.
• h_map_noise_normail.jpg: This is another normal map generated using GIMP.

You can compare the generated normal_map.png with the original normal maps.