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yuyu_2835
Participant
May 3, 2025
Question

How to import a normal map into Substance designer?

  • May 3, 2025
  • 1 reply
  • 606 views

Hello, I am a biginner with Substance Designer and I would like to import a normal map that I created with another app into Sunstance Designer. So, I did "Import Ressource -> Bitmap" and my map is now available in my project, but I am not sure if I  have something else to do, to "inform" Substance Designer that the image is a normal map...

I asked to ChatGPT, who told me that a new dialog should appear after the importation, in which I should be able to specify that my image is a normal map thanks to a parametter "Usage : Normal map", but for me, this dialog doesn't appear... Even when I select my imported image, a parameter pane appear, but I don't see anything allowing me to set my image as a normal map...

 

Could you help me, please?

 

Thank you in advance!

1 reply

Luca Giarrizzo
Community Manager
Luca GiarrizzoCommunity Manager
Community Manager
May 5, 2025

Hello @yuyu_2835,

 

Importing or linking resources such as bitmaps is explained in this page of Designer's documentation.

 

What you did is a correct workflow for importing maps, and in this case no dialog should be displayed. Designer does not require that normal maps should be marked as such. You may drag and drop that image in the graph and connect it to other nodes as relevant.

 

Please keep in mind tools such as ChatGPT provide information based on what it the most likely response in a given context. That information may be false – which most LLM interfaces will remind you. If the applications most used and  discussed on the internet display a dialog on import of textures, then ChatGPT assumes the same holds for Designer.

 

I hope this is helpful, feel free to let me know if you require further assistance.

 

Best regards.

Luca Giarrizzo | Quality Engineer - Substance 3D Designer | Adobe
    Y
    yuyu_2835Author
    Participant
    May 5, 2025

    Ah, ok, thank you very much! So, if I understand well, the way a map will be tinterpreted depends on the way I will use it. I mean that if I wanted, I could use the same image for both normal map, base color map, etc without having any change to do, just by connecting the correct node to get what I want, is it that? (I guesse using the same map for both normal map and base color map is generally not a good idea, but theoretically, I mean...)

    Luca Giarrizzo
    Community Manager
    Luca GiarrizzoCommunity Manager
    Community Manager
    May 12, 2025

    Hello,

     

    Maps are not 'interpreted' at all in a Substance graph. Nodes read the raw data in the maps and perform their computations regardless of what the map is intended to be used as.

     

    You can connect a base color map to an Output node configured for a normal map, Designer will let you do it, and the model in your 3D View will get a funky look because a base color map is likely not a very usable map of (X, Y, Z) normal vectors. Its (X, Y, Z) pixel values describe (R, G. B) colors. (Disregarding the Alpha channel)

     

    Similarly, you can connect a normal map to an HSL node to adjust its hue. Designer will let you do it, but maybe from a user's point of view that is not a 'valid' operation in a workflow sense. (Or maybe it is, if it is a deliberate 'trick'! 😉 )

     

    For Designer, these are all bitmaps. In other words: usage determines purpose.

     

    I hope this is clear. I am happy to discuss this further!

     

    Best regards.

    Luca Giarrizzo | Quality Engineer - Substance 3D Designer | Adobe
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