ZBrushCentral

creating cavity & displacement maps

ZBrush Usage Questions
#1

final_image.jpg Greetings.
This problem may be a walk in the park for many, but still very new for me. I recently completed detailing a model in zbrush. There was no problem whatsoever with this part of my work. The adventure began while attempting to create cavity & displacement maps for my model. I have both the manual as well as the DD training DVD. Having followed through the creation process for both maps several times, I continue to find that both maps are not being created the way they should. I’m going to be as exact in the description as I can.

  1. Both maps once created demonstrate very little detail when viewed. The displacement map itself should provide a variation of greys throughout representing the various details on the geometry. Mine however, show just a touch of dark greys scattered over the map itself. The cavity map is the same. It’s mostly white, with specks of dark patches where the shading should be.

  2. I’ve followed the creation process 4 times using both the manual, and CD’s, and each time, the same result. Bupkis.
    The cavity map once created is 12MB in size. The displacement map is 24MB in size. With maps this size, there is obviously a large amount of detail on them. It’s just not showing up on my model.

  3. Once I apply the maps in Maya, the displacement map shows extremely little detail. However, there are parts of the model which show what appears to be UV patches on the surface of the model itself, specifically the legs.

I’ve attached an image of the model. One is of the completed model in zbrush, and the other is a render of it in Maya. If anybody has had a similar problem in the past, or perhaps somebody can identify what is causing this, I would really appreciate any help in resolving this matter. I have now run out of options and have no idea what to do or where to look. Needless to say, I am very frustrated with this problem.

Thank you in advance.

#2

What are the exact steps that you’re following to create the map, from the moment you finish detailing?

Have you tried using ZMapper to create the cavity map?

Have you checked for a stray point? The easiest way to do this is to click the Move or Scale button on the right shelf (or Alt+Click on a blank part of the canvas).

#3

Well, I’m still at it. I’m going to try a different approach. I’m reviewing the Zbrush manual and I have one question regarding a step.
The directions are as follows.
Set Tool > Displacement > DPRes to 2048 and activate Best.

Can anybody tell me please where the “best” option is? I don’t seem to see it here in my menu palette.

#4

That switch has been replaced. You now have a choice of DPRes or Adaptive. The FAQ here at ZBC explains the difference between the two.

You should also look at Displacement Exporter and ZMapper. The first is perfect for creating displacement maps as it provides many more options than Z2 by itself. ZMapper will create raytraced cavity maps.

#5

Thanks for taking time to reply. I’m going to follow up with your advice and give it another try.
The learning process continues…