Generate Normal Map
Updated: 20 Feb 2025
Generate a normal map from an image.
Generate Normal Map
Method #
This node generates a normal map based off the luminance values from an image, and comparing the relative change in value for each neighbouring pixel. Not 100% accurate, but great for quickly generating a normal map for a surface which doesn’t have one available already.
Parameters
These properties control the core behaviours of the node.
Parameter Details Active
Enables or disables the effect. Disabling the effect means it will no longer compute, so disabling a node when not in use can improve performance.
Depth Scale
Control the scale of the depth in the normal map.
Invert Normal X
Invert the direction for the normals generated along the X axis.
Invert Normal Y
Invert the direction for the normals generated along the Y axis.
Invert Normal Z
Invert the direction for the normals generated along the Z axis.
The properties control the time at which the node is active. See Timeline for editing time segments.
Parameter Details Duration
Control the duration of the node’s time segment.
- Composition Duration : Use the length of the composition for the node’s time segment duration.
- Custom : Set a custom duration for the node’s time segment.
Node Time
The custom start and end time for the node.
Duration (Timecode)
The length of the node’s time segment (in time).
Duration (Frames)
The length of the node’s time segment (in frames).
Time Segment Enabled
Set whether the node’s time segment is enabled or not in the Timeline.
Inputs
These properties control the core behaviours of the node.
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Active | Enables or disables the effect. Disabling the effect means it will no longer compute, so disabling a node when not in use can improve performance. |
| Depth Scale | Control the scale of the depth in the normal map. |
| Invert Normal X | Invert the direction for the normals generated along the X axis. |
| Invert Normal Y | Invert the direction for the normals generated along the Y axis. |
| Invert Normal Z | Invert the direction for the normals generated along the Z axis. |
The properties control the time at which the node is active. See Timeline for editing time segments.
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Duration |
Control the duration of the node’s time segment.
|
| Node Time | The custom start and end time for the node. |
| Duration (Timecode) | The length of the node’s time segment (in time). |
| Duration (Frames) | The length of the node’s time segment (in frames). |
| Time Segment Enabled | Set whether the node’s time segment is enabled or not in the Timeline. |
| Name | Description | Typical Input |
|---|---|---|
| Active | Enables or disables the effect. Disabling the effect means it will no longer compute, so disabling a node when not in use can improve performance. | Value |