In all the posts related to The Sims 2 that mention the term 'Normal map' are they referring to bump maps, or to actual 'normal maps'?

I'm asking because I have found some threads in this forum that refer to them as the same thing and some other that hint they could be different things.

For example there is a tutorial titled "How to add bump map (normals) to a genetic nude skins" which suggests both things are the same, and there is comment at the end of a tutorial of how to make clothing with 3d max it says that if one cannot see bump maps one had to make normal maps sharper.

After reading a lot about 3d objects I know now they are two different things. A bump map is made in greys and can only give a little hint of a 3d look while a normal map is made in reds, blues and greens and is very powerful in giving a 3d effect to objects. I have seen tutorials on 3d objects that made boxes look like buildings with very real looking windows or pieces of cheese with deep holes just with a normal map. A bump map can not do that, so chances are TS2 does not use normal maps but I still want to make sure.

As far as Sims 2 goes, yes, they are referring to the same greyscale image that creates the illusion of extra depth. There -are- normals on the mesh itself that can be used to beautiful effect, but that's entirely different.

I see, thank you very much for answering. Altough it's depressing to confirm TS2 does not use actual normal maps. I've just spent the past two days learning all about them and it's amazing the things one can achieve with them. And it's nice to also confim that the 'normals' in a mesh are different from normal mapping. Thanks.

More about nornal and bump mapping in Sims 2 ? please, have a look part5 of this tutorial : http://www.modthesims.info/showthread.php?t=316260
And yes, you can use normal map in Sims2 ! (it often gives better results than bump maps).
Pix.

Ohhh! Thank you so much Pixelhate! If normal mapping is possible I can already envision what I could do!! And congratulations on the tutorial -or compilation of information- writing, it was really clear and easy to understand. Helps a lot. I'm so glad! Off to play with this!!

My pleasure