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Chapter 33: Creating Baked Textures and Normal Maps
FIGURE 33.7
Although normal maps are created using the Render to Texture dialog box, they are applied using the Material
Editor.

Using the Projection modifier
The Projection modifier is used to create a normal map. It works by being applied to a low-resolution
object, and then you pick a high-resolution object that is similar to the low-resolution one. The Projection
modifier surrounds the object with a cage that can be manipulated to include all the object details. The
Projection modifier is applied using the Modifiers ➪ UV Coordinates ➪ Projection command.
Within the Modifier Stack, the Projection modifier includes three subobject modes: Cage, Face, and
Element. The Geometry Selection rollout includes a list of objects, a Pick button, and a Pick List for select-
ing the high-resolution object to be used.

The Cage rollout includes settings for displaying and pushing the cage out from the surface of the object. A
Tolerance setting is used for wrapping the cage about the surface. The Selection Check rollout informs you
if the Material IDs or Geometry faces are overlapping.

Setting Projection Mapping options
With a Projection modifier applied to a selected object, the Projection Mapping option can be enabled in
the Objects to Bake rollout of the Render to Texture dialog box. The object can actually include several
Projection modifiers, so a drop-down list lets you select the one to use or you can use the Pick button to
select a target object in the viewports.
The Options button opens the Projection Options dialog box, shown in Figure 33.8. Using this dialog box,
you can set the projection method, determine how to resolve how vertices get projected, and define the
Map Space.

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