Friday, November 25th, 2011 Posted by Jim Thacker

Quixel releases nD02: new normal mapping tool

Updated 25 November: Quixel has now begun shipping nD02.

Quixel has released an open beta of nD02, its intuitive normal-mapping plug-in for Photoshop.

Created by three former games artists and already gaining rave reviews from staff at Blizzard and EA, the software is designed to make the process of generating normal and AO maps from photos transparent to Photoshop users with no experience of third-party tools.

Workflow takes place entirely within Photoshop, including the option to view 3D previews of the maps.

The plug-in also includes toolsets for painting normal maps freehand, or creating them from vectors; and to rotate the normals generated.

nDo2 is also currently available for pre-order. A commercial licence costs $299, while academic and non-profit licences cost $149 and $69 respectively. The plug-in is due for a commercial release in October.

Visit the Quixel website (includes beta download tab)