Should I use hard/sharp edges when creating high-poly models for normal map baking?

TheGabmeister

I'm optimizing a number of hard-surface vehicle parts from Solidworks by baking high-poly details to the low-poly mesh. When creating assets for games, I almost never use 90 degree angles on high-poly models. However, this particular asset I'm creating has a combination of beveled and sharp edges. I have a feeling that the sharp edges will create black artifacts during baking whenever there are slight mismatches in the high-poly and the low-poly sharp edges. Is it a good idea to keep the sharp edges, or should I bevel them by a small amount?

kanga

Here ya go: http://polycount.com/discussion/167576/normal-map-baking-hard-edge-problem

Thanez

Everything is a balance of pros and cons. Sure, hard edges on a 90° edge will create worse artifacts the sharper the highpoly edge is, and even worse if the edge goes around a curve like around that cylinder hole. If this is a 'hero' asset or will be viewed up close in VR, I'd consider chamfering the edges of the lowpoly to match, or at least make sure the curves have enough segments so that artifacts will be kept to a minimum. If it's a moving part or won't have more than 100x100px presence on screen, I'd do hard edges. Experiment and see what works.