ZBrushCentral

Question regarding the limits of normal maps.

I have a question regarding normal maps.

When detail is sculpted on a basic mesh say a cube the new geometry is exported as a normal map to be applied to the low poly mesh (cube) back in a 3d app to give the appearance of added depth and detail to the Low poly model… I understand this much. But one thing I don’t get is what happens if you sculpt into the cube so that if you were to line up the two HP and LP cube in a 3d app the new details sculpted would actually poke into the original cube…what would happen when the normal map is applied? Would it look wrong?

I guess what i’m getting at is are all details sculpted on high poly models supposed to be risen or “above” the low poly models to show a correct normal map?

Any help appreciated!

Normal map details can go in or out from the surface of the model (or both). What they can’t do is change the silhouette of the model. That would require a displacement map.