Projection Modifier

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You can use Projection to manage objects for producing normal maps. This allows you to apply high level of detail to a low resolution mesh through use of texture baking in the rendering menu. Upon applying the Projection modifier to the low resolution object, you then select the high resolution mesh that contains the details you wish to appear on your low res mesh.

Since the low res mesh is the one that is going to have the detailed normal map applied, it must have UV coordinates and appropriate mapping applied to it beforehand. However, the high detail mesh does not require mapping coordinates. Once rendered, be sure to Render To Texture so that you can use this later and much faster without the high res mesh.

Projection modifiers can be stacked to build up a mixture of normal maps on the same object and you can also use the same projection modifier on multiple objects.