normal vs bump mapping

[cekuhnen]

Hi this might sound a little strange

but I sofar saw bump mapping (displacement) for rendering
and normal mapping for openGL real-time applications.

Does normal mapping provide a better outcome for rendering
compared to > 8 bit bump mapping?

I am little confused here

[matej]

Yes. Normalmapping is more accurate and gives better results (more realistic bumps). But for achieving very subtle roughing, a bumpmap is enough.

Displacement mapping actually displaces geometry.

[pixelrush]

Bump as currently implemented in Octane is intended for small scale effects like sandpaper - ie < a few mm.

[cekuhnen]

so normal mapping can be used as well for straight rendering?

[matej]

What do you mean "straight"?

Normalmaps give better results where strong(er) relief is needed - engravings, very worn materials, etc. You can get better detail of your surface, because 3param info is stored for normal displacement - so it better fakes things under sharper angles of view.