Common types of texture maps include diffuse, specular, normal, bump, albedo, roughness, and displacement maps, each simulating specific surface properties to enhance 3D model realism.
- Diffuse/Albedo Maps: Define a surface’s base color. Albedo often excludes lighting effects for consistent material tone, while diffuse may include basic shading. - Specular/Roughness Maps: Control reflectivity. Specular maps adjust highlight intensity (e.g., metallic shine), while roughness maps determine matte (high roughness) or glossy (low roughness) finishes. - Normal/Bump Maps: Add surface detail without extra polygons. Normal maps use RGB values to simulate 3D surface direction (e.g., bumps, grooves), while bump maps use grayscale to represent height variations (e.g., wood grain).
These maps collectively balance visual quality and performance, crucial in 3D modeling, gaming, and animation for lifelike surfaces.