ZBrushCentral

zbrush normal - problem

ZBrush Usage Questions
#1

hi!

i got an problem with creating an normal map in zbrush for an head,
which can be shown in maya 2010 64 bit.

  • i got an head at sdiv-level 6 (which is 4677632 polys)

  • first of all i checked, that there is an uv - layout: OK, there is one…

  • then i pulled up the “uv-map-size” in zbrush up to 8192

  • after all i went to “normal map”: tangent, smooth uv snormals is on
    and at the thumbnail section there is shown an normal map

  • then i push “create normal map”

  • an window pops up: “note: map can not be created while the highest subdivision-level
    is active. switch to a lower-subdivision level and try again”

  • i adjust my “sdiv-level” to 5

  • i go back to the “normal map”-section and press “create normal map”

  • a normal map has been created…

but its a plane one, without the structure, i could see before!

can any body tell me, what i´m doing wrong?

thanks a lot for an answer!

a nice weekend to everybody…

greetz from loopon

#2

normal maps in zbrush calculate the difference from your current subD level to your highest subD level.

Most normal maps are generated for a very low mesh, so the difference in form from say 10k points to 10million is rather drastic. The difference from your 4 million mesh to your 1 million point mesh (subd 6 and 5 respectively) is probably very minimal, hence you “blank” map.

TLDR: Go to the subD level you plan to use to view your mesh at inside Maya and use that subD level to generate your normals.
Also, 4 million points doesn’t have enough information for an 8k image. You’ll want to use a 2k. 1 million points = a 1k map, 4 million = 2k, etc.

Hope this helps.

#3

hi beta_channel,

thanks for your quick reply!

i tried to create an normal map with an lower resolution (4k)= blank normal map again…

unfortunately i love to bring all “thoses pores and wrinkles” with an normal map into maya,
but when i try to calculate an normal map with my best / highest sdiv-level, there is always shown:

“note: map can not be created while the highest subdivision-level
is active. switch to a lower-subdivision level and try again”#

here are my problems again :wink:

  • is it not possible for me, to create any normal maps (except these blank ones)
  • i can not export an detailed normal map (made from highest sdiv-level) out into maya…

greetz
loopon

#4

As I said before you need to use your lowest sub Division level, not your highest.

#5

Check your UV map to make sure that no coordinates are touching or extending beyond the 0:1 uv space border. That can also result in blank maps

#6

hi :wink:

thanks to all!

@Cyrid
my coordinates where in the the right location… thanks for your advice!

@ beta_channel

thanks… i misunderstood your first post with the lowest sdiv-level…

now it works fine :slight_smile:

greetz from
loopon