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ZB4 multi map exporter & AD Factor (answered)

I’m trying to create and export displacement maps using ZBrush 4

Ok the thing is that in the past, when creating displacement maps in ZB3.x there used to be a slider called “Alpha Depth Factor” and this would show me the value that I needed to use in my external application such as max or xsi or whatever. My problem is now that for the life of me I can’t find out where this value has gone. Where is it? I must be missing it… or something, dunno. Where has this value gone in ZB4?

I need to find that value, my renderer needs it.

Any suggestions would be most helpful, this is driving me bonkers.

Thanks,

Joe

Right at the very bottom of the Alpha palette.

alpha depth factor.JPG

Awesome, thanks!

Cheers,

Joe

If you are using MME the ADF will be included in the file name for 16 bit maps, in brackets like this: MyMap(0.014578)-DM.tif.

Hi Marcus,

Ah, I was wondering what that was! Ok, perfect I understand now. Thank you for clearing that up.

Kind Regards,

Joe Saltzman

On the subject of alpha depth factor, could anyone tell me how this value relates to the alpha gain value used in Maya please?

I know it is all automated now using .ma or GoZ, but if you are setting the maps up manually and you don’t want to use trial and error.

Is there a quick way to work out the alpha gain from the Alpha depth factor of the displacement map???

Thank you for your time

James

Jimeeh - After your create your displacement map, export you model as a *.ma instead of a *.obj. This is essentially a GoZ scene. Once you open it up in maya the numbers will already be plugged in based on the scale of your model. If the scale of your model changes however, your input numbers also need to change and you’ll have to plug that in yourself.

Thats the fastest and most accurate way I know of. I don’t know a faster way, but if it works right!!???!

I really cant figure out this MME!!!
Im trying to export displacement maps and when exported the fine detail is lost in the displacement… i get those values, that marcus_civis pointed, but what ?
In Softimage the fine displaced detail is lost…
When i export DM from the tool subpalete it renders out just fine.
Is there something that i am missing ?
I dont do anything different setting up the export options in MME for displacement, than in the Tool menu.
:frowning: Please help. I wanna figure this out…

p.s. i didnt want to start a new thread!

pimeto,

Although you say you’ve used the same settings, it would be useful if you showed a screen shot of the Displacement Map seettings you have used in MME.

Thanks,

When I export an ma file from Zbrush 4 and open it in maya, there are no displacement map nodes attached to the shaders or in the scene at all. If I export using MME it only exports obj. I have to export all from the tool to get a .ma file.

Am I missing something?