Normals in 3D models are directional vectors that indicate a surface's facing direction, typically stored as 3D coordinate values (x, y, z) per vertex or face. They determine how light interacts with the surface, directly influencing shading and rendering quality.
Key role: Normals control light reflection, affecting visual details like smoothness or sharp edges in 3D rendering.
Storage method: Usually stored as vertex normals (one per vertex) or face normals (one per polygon), with each normal represented by three numerical values (x, y, z) to define its direction in 3D space.
In summary, normals are essential for realistic 3D visuals, with their storage tied to vertices or faces via 3D coordinates.