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Displacement map and Normal map question

ZBrush Usage Questions
#1

I apologize ahead of time if this question has been asked.

I have a couple of questions regarding making a displacement map.

First of all I am aware that if I import a low rez model from Maya or other packages, the model should be UV mapped. Then I would start subdividing the model in zbrush and start sculpting it right? and then I would create a displacement map between the low rez model and the high rez one right? I know the general idea but I don’t know the exact steps and which buttons to press exactly, so could someone guide me though this?

Second of all, if I made a basemesh in zbrush using zspheres, how would the process work? Also, if I’m completely done sculpting the model and the model is not even uv mapped how then should I map it?

My goal is to export these maps into maya.

Finally, when should I use the normal map? I remember someone saying that I should for example create a displacement map bt divisions 1 and 4 and then make a normal map of divisions 4 and 6, is that right? If so, how can I do that?

Thank you guys,

#2

Your first question is simple, there is a Create Displacement map right under the tool pallette, but like you said, make sure the model is unwrapped.
The process would work the same with a zsphere bash mesh, depending on what kind of topology your going for, you gotta retopoligize the zsphere mesh and project the high rez (zsphere mesh) to the new retopod mesh.
But of course there are many directions you can go upon doing this, I have just stated one of the workflows i tried out and worked pretty decently.

Of course there are more steps involved when retopoligizing your mesh, I suggest you look up retopology and projecting details (as there are tons of references you can find on this webssite alone)

#3

Okay so I think I’ve figured out how to make displacement maps in zbrush.
I would first import the UV mapped model, then start sculpting. When I’m done, I would just turn the geometry to the lowest subdivision level and hit create displacement map right? The problem is, it works sometimes and some other times it doesn’t, it just makes a render of the original geometry without any displacement detail. Could someone tell me why this happens?

Thanks,