Zbrush makes empty normal map, Xnormal makes ugly one, model looks insane and other problems.

PeterMurphy · May 2019

Hey guys, I am trying to teach myself this stuff. I roughed in a character sculpt and started detailing. I retopologized the sculpt in maya, which I think I did properly. I cut the UV's, maybe they are good, maybe they are bad. I don't know, I'm new at this. Pictures attached....

Zbrush Problem: I put the retopologized mesh back in zbrush, divided it a bunch of times. Projected the detail back on, etc, etc. Hit create normal map to test it out......It was blue, with some weird geometrical shapes on it. I tried changing a few settings, it didn't help. Anyone know what's up?

Xnormal Problem: After my Zbrush issues, I gave xnormal a try. Exported high and low poly. Put them in, followed some guys Youtube instructions. It made a map that kind of looks like something, but screwed up. Why, I ask?

Unreal Engine Problem: I tried testing the xnormal normal map in unreal. When I loaded my mesh it had crazy stuff going on all over the face and the feet, and hands. I'd love to know how to fix all of these things, or know where I went wrong. I'd appreciate any help I can get, even if its something to point me in the right direction. Thanks so much,

Peter

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5021068/uploads/editor/cd/iwy38lmfwg91.bmp

Above: Xnormal normals

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5021068/uploads/editor/sz/tj0j91nb4308.bmp

Above: Zbrush Normals

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5021068/uploads/editor/10/v8kvfppw41wg.png

Above, the UVs in maya. Too many cuts?

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5021068/uploads/editor/wl/7cjzj4u5nvc3.png

Above: low poly in Zbrush.

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5021068/uploads/editor/57/h3bbacqyh9m9.png

Above: Projected details

Below: Really cool shots of the Xnormal interface.

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5021068/uploads/editor/o0/7va9w3wli9jz.png

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5021068/uploads/editor/ey/f08zwn6fkydh.png

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5021068/uploads/editor/wl/391wazqtrzsd.png

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5021068/uploads/editor/oo/a2c3gu1cmwwd.png

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5021068/uploads/editor/4e/k9d96zulnk6d.png

Above: Xnormal settings

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5021068/uploads/editor/wk/5d7roi4jkg8s.jpg

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5021068/uploads/editor/5i/wlnlnt5n2r8v.jpg

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5021068/uploads/editor/rf/x9wsr7sj61z4.jpg

Above: Just showing off my sculpt. If only I could make it work.

Thanks for looking this far!

PeterMurphy · May 2019

I forgot the screenshot showing what happens when I import the model into unreal.....

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5021068/uploads/editor/i2/38tihgfq7la7.png

gnoop · May 2019

I recall I once had my normals flipped in zbrush accidentally and got something like that . Your U4 screen shows something seriously messed up with vertex normals too. Check initial mesh you imported to Zbrush too

sprunghunt · May 2019

Did you import your model into zbrush and then bake using the exported zbrush model? That will destroy your normals.

I would check the lowpoly in maya.

PeterMurphy · May 2019

Thanks guys, I'll follow your leads and see if I can figure it out. Sprunghunt, I think I tried both. Ill try again.

Zbrush makes empty normal map, Xnormal makes ugly one, model looks insane and other problems.

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