day we are checking out Laigter, a free tool that enables you to perform special effects on sprites quickly and easily. Even better, the source code is available on GitHub under the GPL 3.0 license.
Laigter is described as:
This tool lets you generate normal maps for 2D textures, with little effort. Specially designed for Sprites in 2D games. Specular map generation is possible too, which gives your sprites the shininess they need to look PRO! It also let’s you create parallax maps, mainly intended for backgrounds, to obtain a nice 3D effect in 2D games!
Normal Maps lets you create awesome realistic lights for games. This tool is primary intended for illuminating 2D sprites for 2D games, although can also be used for 2D textures for 3D games.
Specular Maps lets you make realistic shine into your sprites.
Parallax Maps lets you “deform” the texture depending the point of view, so you can create, for example, depth effects in backgrounds like brick walls.
Ambient Occlusion maps lets you define to which parts ambient light should reach weaker. Adds realism to lights.
Laigter is available on Itch.io under a name your own price system (with an option of free available). Laigter is available for Windows and Linux. Check out the video below to see Laigter in action.