Special “Normal”-type images can be applied to objects in order to make them appear three-dimensional without actually modifying their geometry. The perceived visual effect is that of a fragmented surface, with high and low points that correctly interact with light. For example, adding a matching Normal Map to an object textured with an image of bricks will result in the mortar between the bricks appearing “lower” than the bricks themselves, and the bricks casting shadows onto the mortar. To learn how to use this feature, please watch the following video:

Note: that the video was made using our other software, wysiwyg, but almost everything applies exactly the same in Vivien; the only difference is that Vivien’s Virtual View is called the “Shaded View” in wysiwyg.