Free online map generators

Jump to the channel you need—each page opens the same free browser tool with intent-specific guidance.

New · GenPBR Capture

Convert images to PBR from Chrome — or Windows Explorer

Right-click a webpage texture or a local PNG/JPG and download a ZIP with normal, metallic, roughness, and AO. 3 free conversions per install, then use a GenPBR API key for plan quota.

textures.example / stone-albedo.png

Texture library page

Example albedo texture on a webpage ready for GenPBR Capture right-click conversion
Real Capture UI: right-click any webpage image → Convert to PBR Material — tune parameters in the extension popup, then download a ZIP of maps.
Base (source) PBR map sample from GenPBR Capture

Base (source)

source image

Normal PBR map sample from GenPBR Capture

Normal

normal_map.png

Metallic PBR map sample from GenPBR Capture

Metallic

metallic_map.png

Roughness PBR map sample from GenPBR Capture

Roughness

roughness_map.png

Ambient Occlusion PBR map sample from GenPBR Capture

Ambient Occlusion

ao_map.png

Same ZIP from Chrome Capture or Windows Explorer Capture

A PBR texture generator that is built for iteration

If you searched for PBR generator, PBR maker, or PBR material generator, the real need is usually the same: get to a believable metal/rough baseline fast, then iterate without breaking exports.

Searches for create pbr, pbr map, or pbr maps usually mean the full metal/rough stack—start on /generate or the texture map generator hub for aligned exports.

Generate the core metal/rough stack

Normal, roughness, metallic/metalness, AO, and height—focused on the maps most engines actually use.

Texture map generator hub

Capture from the web or desktop

Right-click webpage images with the Chrome extension, or local files in Windows Explorer — same PBR ZIP either way.

GenPBR Capture

API when you outgrow manual uploads

When “PBR converter” means pipeline automation, move from ad-hoc sessions to repeatable integration.

PBR API

A browser-based PBR generator for real production workflows

GenPBR helps you convert image to PBR by generating the core metal/rough map set: normals, roughness, metallic, ambient occlusion, and height. Use the interactive app on /generate or share intent-specific links like roughness map generator with your team.

Why GenPBR

Built for material iteration, not demo slides

A PBR texture generator for developers who need predictable maps they can ship—not black-box outputs that change every run.

Free tier

Core PBR maps without a subscription

Generate normal, roughness, metallic, AO, and height maps at 512×512 with no account. Sign up for 1024px, bulk uploads, and saved projects.

Privacy

Client-side processing

Textures stay on your machine. No upload queue, no asset retention—suitable for unreleased game art and client work under NDA.

Preview

Live 3D material viewer

Validate grazing-angle response before export. Catch normal convention mismatches early instead of after engine import.

Export

Engine-ready output

PNG per channel, ZIP archives, or MaterialX. Drop into Unity, Unreal, Blender Principled BSDF, or Roblox SurfaceAppearance.

Iteration

Regenerate without penalty

Tune strength and re-run on the same base image. Paid plans keep adjustments free—you only spend credits on new source plates.

Capture

Right-click anywhere you find textures

Chrome Capture grabs webpage images; Windows Explorer Capture handles local files. Both download engine-ready map ZIPs with a few free uses per install.

GenPBR Capture →

API

Pipeline automation

When manual uploads stop scaling, use the REST API for batch material generation in your build or asset pipeline.

PBR API →

Fast workflow: image → PBR maps you can ship

Start from one texture (albedo / diffuse) and generate the core metal/rough set: normal, roughness, metallic (metalness), AO, and height. The goal is a coherent material—not a pile of unrelated filters.

Choosing between tools? Use /compare to compare workflow, licensing, and what you actually get on export.

Common pitfalls (quick checks)

  • - Masks in the wrong color space: metallic/roughness/AO/height should be treated as linear in most engines.
  • - Channel packing mismatch: confirm ORM expectations before export.
  • - Normals convention: DirectX vs OpenGL green channel differences still bite teams.
  • - Iteration scope: check whether regenerating one channel invalidates sibling maps in your pipeline.

Predictable results for professional PBR texture generation

In production, you want the material to behave the same way every time you regenerate it. That means you can iterate quickly, compare changes, and keep exports consistent across a team.

Why repeatability matters

  • - Version control friendly: stable outputs make reviews and regressions easier.
  • - Tunable parameters: you can iterate roughness/metallic/normal strength intentionally.
  • - Fast iteration: adjust, preview, regenerate, export—without rebuilding your pipeline docs.

Where to start (fast)

The quickest path is the live generator on /generate. If you want a one-page explainer you can share, use image to PBR.

Creators

Used in indie and studio pipelines

“GenPBR cut my material iteration time from hours to minutes. The maps are predictable — I can re-export without surprises when art direction shifts.”

— Umamidayo, game developer

Usage

Growing with creators

Estimates based on the last 30 days

Visitors (est.)

96K+

Page views (est.)

156.0K+

Edge requests (est.)

1M+

Map channels

Full metal/rough stack from one image

Generate aligned maps that share the same UV space — or jump to intent-specific guides for image to PBR and texture map generator workflows.

Generate all channels at once

Open the browser tool — preview in 3D, export ZIP or per-channel PNG.

Open generator

Export

Engine-ready formats, not screenshots

Individual textures, organized ZIP archives, or MaterialX — for Unity, Unreal, Blender, Maya, and Roblox SurfaceAppearance workflows.

Per-channel PNG

Download normal, roughness, metallic, AO, and height as individual PNG files for manual shader setup.

ZIP archive

One download with consistent naming — drop into your engine material folder or version control.

MaterialX

Export a material definition for pipelines that expect MaterialX interchange.

REST API

Automate when uploads stop scaling

The browser tool is the starting point. When materials need to flow through CI, asset validators, or studio batch jobs, use the GenPBR API.

  • Batch material generation from your build pipeline
  • Starter and Pro tiers with scoped rate limits
  • Deterministic outputs — same input, same maps
  • Webhooks and studio workflows on higher tiers
POST /v1/materials
{
  "source": "<image-url>",
  "maps": ["normal", "roughness", "metallic"],
  "resolution": 1024
}

Why GenPBR is a practical PBR maker for teams

Generate PBR maps from images, validate them in 3D, and export in a way that fits real pipelines.

Client-side generation

Your browser can generate maps without requiring a separate desktop install. (Exact processing mode depends on the tool surface.)

Channel-by-channel iteration

Iterate roughness, metallic, normals, AO, and height so outputs stay coherent as a material.

Engine-friendly exports

Export formats and packaging are designed for real engine imports; confirm current options on the live tool and pricing page.

Bulk workflows

When you need multiple textures, use the bulk surface in the app rather than repeating single uploads.

API for automation

If your pipeline is code-first, the API is the right surface for repeatable jobs.

Capture extension & Windows shell

Right-click webpage images or Explorer files into a normal / metallic / roughness / AO ZIP — no upload dance.

Intent-specific docs

Use dedicated SEO pages for roughness/metallic/normal/height to keep onboarding links consistent.

Trusted by creators shipping real projects

If you found us via genpbr or gen pbr, the shortest path is still /generate. If you’re evaluating for a team, start with the hubs and comparisons linked above.

“GenPBR has revolutionized my workflow. I can generate professional PBR materials in seconds with stunning results.”
Umamidayo, game developer

Export without rework

Most “bad results” are actually import issues: wrong color space, wrong channel packing, or a naming mismatch. Use this quick handoff checklist before you commit assets or ship a build.

1) Color space

Masks are usually linear. If roughness/metallic/AO/height get imported as sRGB, the material will look wrong even if the pixels are fine.

2) Packing + conventions

If you pack ORM (or similar), verify the target expects the same channel order. For normals, confirm your engine’s green-channel convention (DirectX vs OpenGL).

3) Naming

Keep suffixes consistent so tools can auto-match maps. One stable convention beats “smart guesses” every time in a team pipeline.

Quick links (bookmark these)

Jump straight to the channel you’re working on, or use the hub for the full set.

FAQ: PBR generators, maps, and exports

Quick answers to common searches like normal map generator, pbr generator, image to pbr, roughness map generator, and metalness map generator.

What is GenPBR Capture (Chrome & Windows)?
GenPBR Capture converts images to a PBR ZIP (normal, metallic, roughness, AO) from where you already work. The Chrome extension right-clicks webpage images; Windows Explorer Capture right-clicks local files. Both include free trial conversions, then optional plan API keys.
Is there a free normal map generator online?
Yes. Use the normal map generator page (normal map maker / creator) or open /generate—upload diffuse or albedo, preview in 3D, export PNG. No signup for core resolutions.
How do I make PBR textures from an image?
Upload on /generate or follow image to PBR. GenPBR generates normal, roughness, metallic, AO, and height together—the texture map generator hub covers the full PBR texture creation workflow.
Is there a free height map generator online?
Yes. GenPBR includes a dedicated height map generator (also searched as heightmap generator). Upload on /generate, tune height alongside normal and roughness, preview in 3D, and export PNG.
What is a texture map generator?
A texture map generator creates the full PBR stack—normal, roughness, metallic, AO, and height—from one source image. Use the texture map generator hub for the complete workflow, or jump to individual channels like normal or roughness.
How do I convert an image to PBR?
Upload your albedo or photo on /generate or follow the image to PBR guide. GenPBR generates normal, roughness, metallic, AO, and height maps together so the material reads coherently under lighting.
What is a PBR texture generator?
A PBR texture generator creates a set of physically-based maps (usually normal, roughness, metallic/metalness, AO, and height) that your engine uses to shade a material under lighting. The important part is generating a coherent set that exports cleanly—so the same material read holds up in-game.
How do I generate a PBR texture from an image?
Start with a base-color/albedo (often called diffuse), generate the metal/rough maps, then validate the material read together (roughness + metallic + normal) before you export. For the full flow, see image to PBR.
Do you support roughness and metalness map generation?
Yes. Use the dedicated tools for roughness map generator and metallic / metalness map generator, or generate a full set from the texture map generator hub.
Why does my roughness/metallic export look wrong in-engine?
Most issues are import settings: masks should typically be treated as linear (not sRGB), and some pipelines expect a specific channel packing order (like ORM). Also confirm normal conventions (DirectX vs OpenGL).

Automation when you outgrow one-off uploads

If your intent is “PBR converter” or “batch texture generation,” you probably need a pipeline surface. GenPBR offers an API surface for teams that want predictable integrations.

Quick links

Ready for more than 512×512?

Free account unlocks 1024×1024 exports and daily credits. Starter & Pro add 4K–8K, API access, and commercial licensing. Or lock in $299 lifetime before founder licenses sell out.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers about the GenPBR PBR texture generator workflow.

What is GenPBR Capture?
GenPBR Capture turns images into a PBR map ZIP (normal, metallic, roughness, AO) from where you already work. Use the Chrome/Edge/Opera extension to right-click webpage images, or Windows Explorer Capture to right-click local files. Both share the same freemium Capture API — a few free conversions per install, then optional plan API keys.
Why is algorithm-based PBR generation better than AI/ML tools like DeepBump?
Algorithm-based PBR generation provides 100% predictable and consistent results - the same input always produces identical output, which is critical for production pipelines and version control. Unlike AI tools like DeepBump that use unpredictable neural networks, our mathematical algorithms offer complete control, instant client-side processing with no server uploads, work offline, have zero rate limits, and deliver transparent results without 'black box' AI guesswork. Professional game developers and 3D artists prefer this reliability for Unity, Unreal Engine, Blender, and Maya workflows.
What is physically based rendering (PBR)?
Physically based rendering is a shading and rendering technique that simulates how light interacts with real-world materials. Our PBR generator creates the essential maps (normal, metallic, roughness, ambient occlusion) needed for realistic 3D materials in games, films, and architectural visualization.
What PBR maps does GenPBR generate?
GenPBR generates five essential PBR maps: Normal maps for surface detail, Metallic maps for material properties, Roughness maps for surface irregularities, Ambient Occlusion maps for realistic shadowing, and Height maps for displacement mapping. These maps work together to create photorealistic 3D materials. You can export all maps individually, as ZIP archives, or in MaterialX format.
Is my data secure with client-side processing?
Yes! All texture processing happens locally in your browser. Your images never leave your device, ensuring complete privacy and security. This also means faster processing since there's no server upload/download time.
What file formats are supported?
GenPBR supports common image formats including PNG, JPG, and WebP for input. Generated PBR maps are exported as PNG files with transparency support. You can export materials in multiple formats: individual PNG files, organized ZIP archives containing all maps, or complete MaterialX (.mtlx) format for industry-standard material definitions. All formats are compatible with major 3D software including Blender, Maya, 3ds Max, and game engines like Unity and Unreal Engine.
How does the 3D viewer help with material creation?
Our real-time 3D WebGL viewer lets you preview your PBR materials on different 3D shapes with adjustable lighting. This instant feedback helps you fine-tune your textures and see exactly how they'll look in your final 3D scenes or games.
Is GenPBR free to use?
Yes! GenPBR is completely free forever with no hidden costs, subscriptions, or watermarks. We believe professional PBR tools should be accessible to all 3D artists, game developers, and creators. Our free PBR texture generator provides unlimited access to all core features including normal maps, metallic maps, roughness maps, and ambient occlusion generation.
What makes GenPBR the best free PBR texture generator?
GenPBR stands out as the premier free PBR texture generator because it offers professional-grade physically based rendering tools at zero cost. Unlike other free tools, GenPBR provides unlimited usage, client-side processing for privacy, and generates all essential PBR maps (normal, metallic, roughness, ambient occlusion) with professional quality results.
Are there any limitations with the free version?
The free version of GenPBR has minimal limitations - you can generate PBR textures up to 1024×1024 resolution with unlimited usage and bulk upload up to 4 textures at once. This covers most game development and 3D art needs. For higher resolutions (4K, 8K) and larger bulk uploads (up to 10 textures), we offer premium plans, but the free tier provides everything needed for most projects.
How does bulk upload work?
Bulk upload allows you to process multiple textures simultaneously, perfect for creating texture sets or batch processing. Free users can upload up to 4 textures at once, while paid subscribers can handle up to 10 textures in a single batch. All textures are processed in parallel, and you can download the results individually or as a batch.
How do I use the free normal map generator?
Our free normal map generator is simple: open /generate (or the /normal-map-generator guide), upload your diffuse or albedo texture, tune normal strength while previewing in 3D, then export. Pair with roughness and metallic maps for a complete PBR material. No sign-up required for core resolutions; create a free account for higher resolutions and API access.
How do I use the roughness map generator?
Our free roughness map generator is simple to use: upload your base texture image, select roughness map generation, and get instant results. The roughness map generator creates accurate surface roughness maps for PBR materials. Generate roughness maps online with no sign-up required. Perfect for creating PBR textures with realistic surface properties.
What are PBR maps and how do I create PBR maps?
PBR maps are texture maps used in physically based rendering including normal maps, metallic maps, roughness maps, and ambient occlusion maps. To create PBR maps, simply upload your base image to our PBR map generator. Our tool generates all essential PBR maps instantly. Create PBR maps online for free with our PBR texture generator.
Can I create PBR materials online?
Yes! Our PBR generator online and PBR online tool allows you to create PBR materials completely in your browser. No downloads or installations needed. Generate PBR maps, create PBR textures, and convert images to PBR online instantly. Our PBR online generator works on any device with a modern web browser.
Is there a free PBR texture generator online?
Yes! GenPBR is a completely free PBR texture generator online. Our texture generator online creates professional PBR maps including normal maps, metallic maps, roughness maps, and AO maps. Use our free PBR tool and texture generator online with unlimited usage—no sign-up required.
How do I convert an image to PBR?
Converting an image to PBR is easy with our PBR texture generator. Simply upload your image, and our tool generates all essential PBR maps (normal, metallic, roughness, AO) from your base texture. Image to PBR conversion happens instantly in your browser. No sign-up needed for our free image to PBR converter.
What PBR texture creation tools are available?
Our PBR texture creation tools include a complete PBR map generator, roughness map generator, metallic map generator, normal map generator, and AO map generator. All PBR texture creation tools are free to use online. Generate complete PBR material sets with our professional PBR texture creation tools.
Is GenPBR really free PBR?
Yes! GenPBR is completely free PBR generation forever. Our free PBR tool provides unlimited access to PBR map generation including normal maps, metallic maps, roughness maps, and ambient occlusion maps. Free PBR textures with no watermarks, subscriptions, or hidden costs. Generate free PBR materials for all your projects.