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Exporting normal maps from zbrush problem..

ZBrush Usage Questions
#1

I’m doing some R and D here at irrational games trying to work ZBrush into the art pipe line here, and things are going very well. I made a low-res model in max and added UV’s in max, then exported it to ZBrush, made the hi-res version, then export a normal map from ZBrush, and also the new version of the low-res model.

The problem I’m having there is pinching on the normal map, as you can see out lined in the image below.

I think it is because ZBrush is trying to hide the edges of the low-res model, by adding these lines. Which I think if the low-res version had smoothing groups it wouldn’t do.

A few facts about the model which maybe help.

  • The normal map is very hi-res (2048x2048.)
  • The low-res version is about 3000 tris.
  • The hi-res version is over 1.5 million polys.

Can anyone help me with this problem?? Does ZBrush have smoothing groups?? Does anyone have a work around??

Thanks
Brendan George

#2

What are your settings in the Tool>Geometry menu when you divide the mesh, and in the Normal Map menu when you create the map?

#3

I didn’t change the setting when dividing the mesh so it should be the same as what ever is default, I changed the normal map generation settings to tangent normal map because that is the normal map type we are using.

Hope you can help out.

#4

Try the Adaptive and SmoothUV options in the Normal Map menu. You might also try turning Geometry>Suv on when you divide the mesh or Geometry>Smt off the first time that you divide the mesh.

#5

It has fix the problem.

Thanks I have tested both the Adaptive and SmoothUV options in the Normal Map menu before but not both options at the same time.

#6

I’m glad to know that it worked!

So what you’re saying is that for ZBrush to 3D Studio Max, the proper settings are to use both Adaptive and SmoothUVs when generating the normal map?

I’m clarifying for the benefit of other members, who might be encountering the same problems.

#7

bump I’m curious to what helped you solve this is in particular as I’m having problems as well… using tiles for example, the tiles become every so slighty visible in the normal map it seems but degrades quality a lot - I’ll try some of the suggestions here