In this tutorial, I will show you how to use a free tool to make your own normal maps for your project.
Preparing the Image
I will be using an image I downloaded from Pexels
I make a new document in GIMP – I’ll be using 2K (2048×2048)
I open the image in GIMP and scale it to fit the document
I need to change the image to a black-and-white image
I do this by going to Colors > Desaturate > Desaturate
I will use the Value (HSV) Mode
The darkest parts of the image will be recessed into the mesh object with the lighter parts appearing to be flat or raised off the mesh object’s surface
I can also adjust the Levels to my liking
I export the image – you can use a PNG or JPG
Making the Normal Map
I will open the Normal Map Online page
I can drag-and-drop my image into the tool
I can now see a preview of my Normal Map
I can change the Model to Plane to make it easier to make adjustments
I will lower the strength and turn off displacement
I turn off everything except the Normal Map options
I give the Normal Map a name and download it
Using the Normal Map in Blender
In Blender, I split the Viewport and open the Shader Editor
I will use a plane and give it a gray Base Color
I add a Bump node and connect it to the Normal of the Principled Shader
I drag-and-drop the Normal Map into the Shader Editor and change the Color Space to Non-Color
I connect it to the Height of the Bump node