I learned about normal mapping from an OpenGL reference guide, but I think it would still be relevant here too
(to sum it up a color coded texture is applied to the surface of an object, and the lighting calculations fit around it to give it a 3D effect, best I can explain it)
My suggestion is that you let users upload their own custom normal maps and be able to put them on objects in the game.
I'm pretty sure ROBLOX does something similar on their own materials for blocks, so the engine can handle it. |