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What are Vector Displacement Maps ?
Vector displacement maps are special images storing three dimensional geometric information. Similar to regular textures they can be mapped onto 3D models to transfer their geometry to the base surface. Thus they bear resemblance to classical displacement maps but instead of moving vertices only in one direction (along the surface normal) they can shift each point in all three dimensions.
Classical displacement map with one channel
Vector displacement map with three displacement channels (RGB)
Correctly authored vector displacement maps have two major advantages over classical displacement maps:
- They can represent rich geometry including overhangs
- They are capable of minimizing distortions of the base surface
