High poly generation for normal maps

coldwolf

Usually I make the lowpoly mesh to however I want it to be, then add loops and whatnot to it so that I can turn on SubDs for smoothing. This is giving me some errors that prevents me from baking though, but I don't know why, so... how do you generate your high poly meshes for normal mapping?

Rick Stirling

It depends.

It depends on how I want the model to work - is the model a free sculpt where I build the LRmesh afterwards, or am I constrained to reusing pre modelled, prerigged models.

I'm unsure what errors would prevent you from baking though?

gamedev

Are you using Maya?

coldwolf

Well, I'm doing mostly mechanical stuff now, so I'm not really sure it'd be easier to bring through zbrush... then again, I've never tried. I have no idea what the problem was with baking. I tried modo first then max, but neither picked anything up. I disabled the cage to do it.

I use modo exclusively now. I really can't stand either Maya or Max after modo. At the risk of hijacking my own thread, how much of a problem is this for a game studio? If I can work seamlessly between all three (modo has native fbx support), then it isn't much of a problem is it?

Rick Stirling

It depends

It depends on how much you work on your own, and how much you share assets with other people.

I build a lot of stuff in Silo, but all the rigging is done in max.

coldwolf

Hey, Rick? I think I see a pattern in your posts. :P Really, things always depend on so many other factors that it's difficult to give a generalized answer, but that's a given--there are always exceptions to the rules. I just need some place to start. I need to know the rules. Experience will tell me what the exceptions are.

Rick Stirling

Rules? At 2 places I worked at you did what you were told and used the software you were given. Nothing else. Here I get a little leeway.

JordanW

Well he is correct, it just depends on the studio. A lot of studios will just be exclusive to one program so that assets can easily be shared and workflows can be simmilar between artists.

As far as generating a normal map from a highpoly object and the problems you're having maybe give this a read:

http://poopinmymouth.com/tutorial/normal_workflow.htm