ZBrushCentral

Normal Mapping

ZBrush Usage Questions
#1

Now I’m not a big fan of having my first post be a question but I need to get my head around this. I’ve searched the forums for related threads but some of them are slightly sketchy on the details or the problem is slightly different so the solution changes somewhat. But my question is about normal mapping.

In particular, I like to create my base forms in Max because I’m most comfortable with it and then bring it into ZBrush. Recently I’ve been trying to expand my horizons and such and I’ve been exploring normal mapping. I understand pretty much how it works and such and I’ve almost got it down but it seems to fall down near the end. :stuck_out_tongue:

I start by creating my VERY basic form in Max.
Then I export it (ZBrush export config) and import it into ZBrush
Start Sculpting etc and get it to a point where I’m happy with it.

Now here comes my problem.

I want to texture it so I want to bring it back into Max to do the UVW map. So I delete a couple of the lower subdivisions or how ever many I need to and import a less basic, but still fairly low poly mesh back into Max. Do the UVWing etc.

Now, how do I get those updated UVW’s back into ZBrush onto my tool that has the high subdivisions and the detail? From what I gathered from around the forums it possibly has something to do with Storing the Morph Targets and importing back in.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. =)

#2

If you export the lowest level from ZBrush and UV it, there is no need to store a morph target. The reason for this is that nothing is being changed about the mesh except for UV’s. So the higher levels will be unaffected. Simply UV your mesh, return to ZBrush, and press Tool>Import. If you do this while the original model is selected, the new version of the mesh will replace the current level 1 and the UV’s will update.

#3

Thank you so much, that seems alot simpler than I made it out to be. :stuck_out_tongue: I’ll give it a go when I get home and hopefully it’ll work. =)

#4

Right, I tried the solution and I’m still getting problems. When I import the UVWed model back into ZBrush it’s fine until I touch anything and then the mesh goes insane. Mostly spikey.

#5

That means that your point order has been changed. Check your import/export settings in the app you used for the UV mapping. For example, with Maya you need to set “Create Multiple Objects” to False or this will happen.

#6

Hurrah. It’s much easier to figure out what’s going on when you know where to look. Thanks. I think it was because I had Optimize on when I was exporting from Max. I also turned off the Import Polygroups option in ZBrush as well so that may of been it. Not sure, haven’t double checked yet. =)

You’ve been a very big help, thanks. And thank you for the very quick response. =)