What is bump mapping?

Bump mapping is a technique used in computer graphics to simulate the appearance of bumps or wrinkles on the surface of an object without actually modifying the geometry of the object. Instead, a bump map is used to create the illusion of depth and texture by altering the way light interacts with the surface.

Bump mapping works by perturbing the surface normals at each pixel based on the values in the bump map. This creates the appearance of raised or indented areas on the surface of the object when rendered. By combining bump mapping with other shading techniques, such as diffuse and specular lighting, a more realistic and detailed appearance can be achieved.

Bump mapping is commonly used in video games and CGI animations to add detail to objects and surfaces without significantly increasing the complexity of the scene. It is a relatively simple and efficient way to enhance the visual quality of computer-generated images.