Normal maps of objects from one model

Tripl3M

I`ve modeled a model in zbrush with some subtools .. i polygrouped every subtool and then unwrapped the whole model . then i used xnormal to bake the whole model at once , the results were bad ... so i tried baking normals for each subtool alone and the results were good ... the problem here is that now i have different png files for every subtool`s normal map and i need them to be merged for the weapon model.

DooDee

Photoshop and masks will be your best friend I guess.

AdvisableRobin

You probably need to explode your mesh and use a projection cage when you bake all of the objects at once.

Post images, of the models and normal maps.

Tripl3M

oh yeah i also dont know whats wrong with that planes

Tripl3M

alright ?

Tzur_H

Try this:
[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bgYoXF6QmWw"]3dmotive - explode mesh for baking[/ame]

Tripl3M

3dmax .. i hate zero experience in it ... ive tried to randomly assemble the separated normal maps into one png file using photoshop but it didnt work

Tripl3M

plus im using xnormal for baking

Eric Chadwick

To assemble the maps, you could try Airborn Studios Tools. You can also use their tool to automate the bake process.

Tripl3M

uhh umm .. is that a photoshop script ??
and as i said my problem is assembling and matching different normal maps into the uvs of the whole model.

Tripl3M

Wait .. does it merge the different UVed subtools or objects of a one model ( a gun model for example with the ammo and the scope with different UVs and objects for each ) and do the whole work ?

Eric Chadwick

If your subtools are exported out as OBJs, and your lowpoly models are also OBJs, then yes Backstube and Packstube will help you automate the whole process.

Tripl3M

[WinError 740] The requested operation requires elevation
i get that error when i hit bake

Eric Chadwick

Ask the tool maker. Better yet, do a web search for that error message, to see if others have provided solutions already.

Tripl3M

I did ... nothing yet , any other way to do it ? matching the UVs in photoshop is impossible

Eric Chadwick

It's not impossible. I've done it many times. It's just a more manual process.

1. Open all the images in Photoshop.
2. Make sure they are all the exact same size. If not, you won't be able to place them perfectly.
3. Deselect if you have any selections active.
4. Hold down Shift, and left-mouse-drag the Layer you want from one image onto the other.
5. Don't let go the mouse button nor the Shift key until you see a border appear around the edges of the destination image.

Tripl3M

Its working but the results arent accurate

Eric Chadwick

Make sure the image windows are side-by-side, so you can see both at the same time (Window, Arrange, Tile). Also make sure your current tool is the Rectangular Marquee Tool (but with nothing selected in either image).

Wasp

If you paste anything, use ctrl+shift+v, it will make whatever you copied take the same position as you copied it from.