I would like to know if it is remotely possible to create 16 bit maps from polypaint…
Is zbrush meant to at the first place?
Short answer, no. Polypaint is 8 bits per channel, so there’s no way to create 16 bit.
Ok. Thank you.
Hi Marcus,
I suppose this has largely to do with 32-bit memory constraints. Seeing as ZBrush5 has been announced as being the first 64-bit public version, would it be fair assume PolyPaint will become 16 bits per channel?
I really wouldn’t know. What exactly do you think the advantages are for having 16 bit polypaint? (I understand its value for HDRI images used for environment lighting.)
16 bit textures can withstand the pushing and pulling around of heavy grading actions much better than those with 8-bit resolution. Particularly if your textures are limited to a small portion of the 0-1 (0-255) range. For example, I once had to texture several black skinned creatures that had many subtle gradations over their skin across large areas. This was back when 16bpc textures weren’t really an option yet, so 8-bit it was. The banding in the darks was a nightmare to deal with. Instead of having about 6-7 different levels of value to play with, 16-bit would’ve given me thousands of gradations within the same range.
OK, but you are talking about specialist use. Editing 16 bit color is not straightforward as monitors do not display all the colors, and for most people, 16 million colors is enough. If ZBrush adds specialist texturing tools then 16 bit could well be added but I don’t see 16bit added just for its own sake.
I would have needed it for rendering in maya with mental ray. I’m not a specialist though, I’m a student.
Well OK, if you need that much control perhaps you should consider a dedicated texture painting program such as Mari.