Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and storage medium

An image processing method, the method comprising the steps of:

• generating normal image data recording normal information for each of a plurality of areas at least part of which is different from one another in image data and for each pixel of the area;
• setting one of at least two or more smoothness degrees different from one another to each of a plurality of pieces of generated normal image data;
• smoothing each of the plurality of pieces of normal image data in the set smoothness degree;
• generating integrated normal image data corresponding to pixel arrangement of the image data by integrating the plurality of pieces of smoothed normal image data;
• and
• performing lighting processing for the image data based on the integrated normal image data.

Anon-transitory computer readable storage medium storing a program for causing a computer to perform an image processing method, the method comprising the steps of:

• generating normal image data recording normal information for each of a plurality of areas at least part of which is different from one another in image data and for each pixel of the area;
• setting one of at least two or more smoothness degrees different from one another to each of a plurality of pieces of generated normal image data;
• smoothing each of the plurality of pieces of normal image data in the set smoothness degree;
• generating integrated normal image data corresponding to pixel arrangement of the image data by integrating the plurality of pieces of smoothed normal image data;
• and
• performing lighting processing for the image data based on the integrated normal image data.