Sprite Lamp generates depth maps from normal maps (either ones that it creates, or ones you load in). You can save this with various shader techniques, such as parallax mapping, but for that you need a depth map. Depth perception allows the player to see just how flat those surfaces really are. Depth maps for stereoscopic 3D – something that people are gradually realising as they play more and more with stereoscopic displays such as the Occulus Rift, is that normal maps don’t really cut it anymore.It’s also worth noting that Sprite Lamp’s algorithms work fine with tiling textures – if the input images tile, the outputs will too. It might be a bit confusing painting lighting profiles onto a UV template, but it works in the least confusing way possible and doesn’t pose any serious difficulties. You can of course use Sprite Lamp to paint normal maps for complex geometry/UV unwraps – which might save you from having to do a high res version of the mesh for baking purposes.

It’s not as quick as Crazy Bump, but you have more direct control over the results. Textures for 3D stuff – the common ways of creating a normal map for use in a 3D game is to model the surface in a high poly mesh and then render a normal map from that, or use a photo and then process it via a tool like Crazy Bump.However, Sprite Lamp might also find uses in other places. And to be clear, you can absolutely do that, and if you do I will sing your praises (and play your game). I made Sprite Lamp with the goal of making full games that look like Braid or Metal Slug or whatever 2D look you prefer, but with dynamic lighting.

Process and play back multiple image sets at once: Sprite Lamp Pro gives you the option to load in multiple image sets, such as frames of an animation, process them all in one action, and animate them in the preview window.Īs mentioned, Sprite Lamp generates maps – the animated gifs above are from Sprite Lamp’s built in preview window.

Sprite Lamp Pro lets you adjust the depth map more easily for better self-shadowing results.

In-editor tools for editing depth maps: Though Sprite Lamp will create depth maps for you, complex images sometimes require tweaking, and this can be tedious in a traditional image editing program.

Generation of anisotropy maps from hand-painted images: Using a specific and easy-to-draw ‘flow map’, artists can sketch lines in the direction of microfacets on a surface and Sprite Lamp will process this to create anisotropy maps in a variety of formats.

Full command line interface: Include Sprite Lamp in your build process, rather than generating maps from source art manually.

If you upgrade to the pro version of Sprite Lamp, you’ll gain access to several features designed for more substantial development operations.

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