ZBrushCentral

Displacement vs. Normal Maps_Which is Better?

ZBrush Usage Questions
#1

Hello all! :slight_smile:

Is there anyone out there who can please explain the following (for the sake of clarity):

  1. What is the difference btw. a DISPLACEMENT Map and a NORMAL Map?

  2. What are the benefits of a DISPLACEMENT MAP over a NORMAL MAP, and vice versa?

  3. When rendering, what (if any) considerations should be taken when combining material shaders, diffuse (color), specular, and/or bump maps in other 3D software packages (i.e., Maya, 3Ds Max, C4D, etc.) with ZBrush-generated displacement and normal maps?

Any and all relevant feedback welcome. Hope others will benefit from this thread as well.

:wink:

Regards,
Tony

#2

  1. Normal maps and disp maps both add detail to a mesh. However normal maps only add it as an illusion while disp maps add it as actual detail. This difference becomes most clear when you look at the sides and edges of your object, where disp maps give you the detailed silhouette as expected while normal maps dont.

  2. This depends on what you are using to render. Games and some render engines hate disp maps and will perform very badly with them. Others are just the opposite and love disp but dont like normal maps. Generally disp maps are always superior in quality, but with an attendant price in memory and render times. Also nothing is stopping you from using both of them at the same time… use disp maps for large smooth detail and norm map for the fine detail.

  3. No single answer for all apps out there, you have to experiment and see what works best for whatever it is you use. BTW both normal and disp maps affect color, shading and spec the same. The main difference is that disp maps affect shadows as well while normal maps dont.

#3

go to the wiki page and there you can found lot of extensive explanation, just take a look:D
Andreseloy

#4

Thank you guys!

Speedy replies…that’s what I call customer service, yo!!!

Booyah-kasha! :cool:

If using Maya for rendering, is it best to apply the DISPLACEMENT and/or NORMAL Map before moving on to diffuse, bump, and specular maps?
I myself am going to give it a shot, but was just curious if anyone had any prior knowledge or recommendations…