DESCRIPTION of OPPORTUNITIES: One of the best tools for creation of normal maps is the tiny utility of ATI Normal Map Generator (the alternative name — TGAtoDOT3). She has no as that graphic jacket and ideally resembles for high-speed stamping of color masks. It is especially pleasant that this miracle of developer thought absolutely free of charge extends (source codes of the application are included in a set of standard delivery. — Editor's note).
  The mechanism of automatic generation of normals on the basis of simple images is trivial — you launch an executable file of TGAtoDOT3.exe, in the opened dialog box you specify a full path to the necessary picture of the TGA format (other types of files aren't supported) and you press the Open button. Within several seconds or minutes (depending on high-speed performance of the computer and image size) the aaplet will calculate a textural map and will save it on the winchester. Simply, quickly, conveniently. 
  VERDICT: Forget about a draw of normal maps in improvised graphics editors: ATI Normal Map Generator will make all operation for you. It is a pity here only that the utility is capable to digest only images of the TGA format.