Normal map to AO Question

skyline5gtr

If I choose to make some details, say nuts and bolts in nDo for a bigger asset, is it best to just bake out a normal map edit the normal map in nDo then convert that to AO. Or should i bake out an AO map and then Overlay the one generated from nDo as well.

Is nDo normal > AO sufficient or should i overlay both

NanoTurtle

AO generated off of a normal map will give you micro-occlusion based on the normal map. This is the only AO I still dare to put into my maps on occasion as there's no way to create this AO in engine as far as I'm aware.

The AO baked off of a High or Low poly mesh will give you occlusion in mesh cavities. In general that's not a good idea anymore because of real time AO getting more common.

If you end up needing full AO then High Poly baked should be more accurate then Low Poly baked combined with ndo AO.

skyline5gtr

Interesting concepts, thanks. i think i will just try generating it off a normal map see how it looks. Will take a lot less time anyways and will get all the little details i put on normal map.

Only reason i would use AO is to plug into dDo

NanoTurtle

Oh I didn't see this was in the quixel suite section.
If it's just for plugging into dDo then you should combine a high poly AO bake with some ndo AO generated off your added normals (Not AO from your normal bake !)

Wiktor

Personally, I like to combine the AO generated by NDO with the baked AO.