Current Gen Character Design Workflow

The Awesome Possum

Hello!

I am quite new to the 3D world and I have recently picked up ZBrush for use with 3DS Max on a university project and I am amazed at what it can do. I really want to get into character design and was just wondering what the current workflow is when designing and creating a character from concept to final product. The workflow I have kind of put together so far is concept > rough model in Max > sculpt in ZBrush > retopologise

This is where I get stuck, I am not sure where to go from here to get to the rendering stage in Max. I want to use normal maps, but I am unsure where UVW mapping comes in the workflow for this. Do I UV the high poly model, or the retop one?

If anyone can help me out and point me in the right direction it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

gilesruscoe

Once you have your high poly sculpt, retopo it to get the low poly final mesh then unwrap your new low poly model. I use a program called Xnormal (as do alot of other polycounters) in which you import your high poly model and low poly model, then it bakes the AO, height, normal maps etc onto the UV layout of your lowpoly model.

From this you can start texturing in photoshop and finishing up your character

The Awesome Possum

ah great I will look into that then, is it easy to use? Also, is there a way to do these maps in ZBrush or is it better going to other programs? thanks for the help

CheeseOnToast

You can do it in Zbrush, but it's not recommended. Use either Render to Texture in Max or use Xnormal. For presentation purposes look into either a real-time shader for max such as http://www.polycount.com/forum/showthread.php?t=72861, or use a standalone viewer like Marmoset.

The Awesome Possum

thank you for your input, I'll be sure to check those out!