Bake Vs. Import

[Ken B]

A question:

What is the difference between baking a layer (let's assume we have just one layer) and exporting the unbaked layer as an image, then importing it again into another layer?

Which tools react differently now? So far, the only tool I've noticed a difference with is the fiber brush. On a baked layer, the fibers seem to still react to some Z information, while an imported image they react as if on a flat plane.

Any insight appreciated!

[WingedOne]

The main difference is that a baked layer, as you mentioned, still retains its depth and normal information, so a baked layer would still be affected by fog, depth-of-field, etc. as well as if you should need to add any new objects to the scene, you still have the normal information to guide you in the placement of new objects.

Basically a baked layer still retains all of the information (depth, orientation, etc.) except material information, since all of the material is converted to the flat color material.

Hope this information was helpful.

[aurick]

The key to the baking process is that it converts the layer to the Flat Color material, as Winged One said. All shading created by materials is turned into RGB color painted onto the Flat Color material.

As you've noticed, this makes a world of difference for the Fiber Brush. Other 2D paint tools do seem to work better, too. For example: Blur, Shading Enhancer, Glow, etc.

Finally, a baked layer will no longer have shadows cast on it. This can be a wonderful thing if you have a painted background of some kind (like a sky) that wouldn't look right to have foreground objects casting shadows onto. By baking the background layer, you protect it.

Baking is a very powerful tool, when used carefully.

[WingedOne]

Another thing I just remembered is if you use baking levels less than 100% you can effectively use more lights than ZBrush has. For example you set up your lighting, bake the layer at less than 100% and move your lights around and re-render you get a rendering with the old lights in addition to the effects of the new lights.

[DeeVee]

I guess I have been saying thanks more these last few days than I can remember.It is a result of all the fantastic advice which is being freely given, which has answered so many unasked questions I have had.

[s o u t h e r n]

Hi Ken,

Not much to add. I only use BAKE when I need the fibre brush. I do a lot of background paintings and export them as PSD's. I re-import then into a layer or use them as textures on a 3DPLane with the flat material.

I find all the 2D tools work fine with these methods.

Glen

[Stonecutter]

I do the same thing as Glen, although I import the bitmap instead, apply it in flat color material, and just use fill, rather than making a 3D Plane.... ;)
Also, all the tools seem to work fine, and since I hand-paint models mostly, I use limited materials, so it's no prob. I baked once, forgot to turn on ZAdd, created a 'ghost', marked that for future reference, and haven't baked since...As far as fiber brush goes, what I have done mostly where I've used it is, choose back color, and use the busiest metallic texture I can find for the base material for the fiber...Gives variation, and creates the effect of light hitting from different directions with 'busy' metals... ;)

Interesting thread this is turning into, if only for the technical variations people are using for fiber brush... :)