koobas.hobune.stream
3D model to 2D sprite with normal map for '3D' directional lighting in 2D game
I'm making a top-down 2D space adventure. The game is getting to that point where I need to thing seriously about the process of creating art and I'm a little unsure.
My current plan for the art workflow is:
Create 3D model in Blender (e.g. space ship)
Capture top-down 2D image of 3D space ship model
Create corresponding 2D normal map using 3D model
Combine 2D image and normal map, using Unity's lighting to create the illusion of a 3D model.
My brother is learning Blender at the moment so he isn't an expert yet. Searching for information on creating 2D normal maps from 3D models, I haven't really found anything solid.
Are the steps above possible?
Could 2D textures with normal maps create the effect of 3D models when combined with directional lighting in Unity?
Is this a reasonable approach? Do you know of a better one?
The game that inspired this one is from the 90s. It uses separate sprites to animate ship rotation, with a unique sprite for each angle that the ship can turn. Each sprite is captured separately from a 3D image with directional lighting. I'm hoping to use find a more dynamic approach to creating the illusion of 3D lighting in a 2D game but perhaps I should just use that method?
Thanks in advance!
After some more digging, this certainly seems possible. I've found a few useful resources for anyone wanting to dynamically light 2D sprites in Unity.
Baking a normal map from a 3d shape
