An addon for a more streamlined normal baking procedure in blender.

easynormal.py

bl_info = {
    "name": "Easy  Normals",
    "author": "Mark C <BlendedMarks>",
    "version": (0,1),
    "blender": (2, 79, 0),
    "location": "View3D >Spacebar Menu",
    "description": "Prepares the Blender environment for easily baking normals",
    "warning": "",
    "wiki_url": "",
    "tracker_url": "",
    "category": "Object"}

import bpy

class MakeNormal(bpy.types.Operator):
    """Easy Normals"""      # blender will use this as a tooltip for menu items and buttons.
    bl_idname = "object.make_normals"        # unique identifier for buttons and menu items to reference.
    bl_label = "Easy normals "# display name in the interface.
    bl_options = {'REGISTER', 'UNDO'}  # enable undo for the operator.

    def execute(self, context):        # execute() is called by blender when running the operator.

        bpy.ops.object.editmode_toggle() #on
        bpy.ops.uv.smart_project()
        bpy.ops.object.editmode_toggle() #off

##Assign Material

        ob = bpy.context.active_object
        # Get material
        mat = bpy.data.materials.get("Material")
        if mat is None:
# create material
           mat = bpy.data.materials.new(name="NormalBakedMaterial")

# Assign it to object
        if ob.data.materials:
        # assign to 1st material slot
            ob.data.materials[0] = mat
        else:
# no slots
           ob.data.materials.append(mat)

#Get the image
        image = bpy.data.images.new(name="BakedNormals", width=1024, height=1024)
        bpy.context.scene.cycles.bake_type = 'NORMAL'
        bpy.context.area.type = 'NODE_EDITOR'
        bpy.context.space_data.tree_type = 'ShaderNodeTree'
        bpy.context.object.active_material.use_nodes = True
        return {'FINISHED'}


def register():
    bpy.utils.register_class(MakeNormal)

def unregister():
    bpy.utils.unregister_class(MakeNormal)


# This allows you to run the script directly from blenders text editor
# to test the addon without having to install it.
if __name__ == "__main__":
    register()