ZBrushCentral

Problem with normal map symmetry

ZBrush Usage Questions
#1

Hi, I’m having a problem creating normal maps in zbrush 3.5. As seen in the following image.

Basically, zbrush creates a zone without any “normal” information, as can be seen at the bottom right part of my image. This only appears in the central seam, where the model’s symmetry is located.

trouble1.jpg

Does anyone know how to tell zbrush correctly create a normal map in 3.5? I have tested this with a cube (that has a symmetry in the middle) and this problem appears again. It seems that by increasing geometry (making it more smooth) it somehow smooths the UVs (which would be madness!)

Thank you

#2

turn off smooth UV’s before you subD.

If you’re already done a complete mesh you can salvage the mesh as well.
That is a rather intensive workflow though, so unless you’re at that point, I’ll skip the long tutorial.

#3

Nah, luckily i made tests before I start my final model. Thank you!

(you’re talking about the smoothUV button in the normal map tab, right?)

#4

Ot sure if it is there or in uv map or texture or geometry. I don’t bake anything in zbrush.
You can’t change the way it reads tangents to match an engine so we just use xnormal in the office and have our programmers set up our normal mapping protocalls for xnormal to match our engine.