3Ds Max Cavity Map/baking help

BenHenry

Hey there,
I'm trying to bake a cavity map that looks like this:


But for the edges of this gun here:

Basically I just want to highlight the sharper edges in the texture. How would I be able to do something like this? am I on the wrong path with cavity maps?

Also, I am not planning on a highpoly version of this, just lowpoly stuff here.

r_fletch_r

you can use the Tension modifier
more info here:
http://www.polycount.com/forum/showpost.php?p=1369926&postcount=16

Butthair

If you have the time, give this a read. It also goes into adding some wear at the edges.

BenHenry

I'm not trying to render it, I'm trying to bake it. Also, as I said, its a lowpoly, so the tension modifier doesn't give me a good result.
I really am trying to bake a cavity map with the default mesh. I tried to see if there was a way with zbrush, but I don't know for sure.

Butthair

The intention of the previous post was that you create that material for the hi poly, then render to texture a diffuse pass, no lighting, of the hi to lo. You will get a texture sheet that can serve as a mask for where the edges should be brighter.

In addition, you may want to retouch or do more significant parts by hand to achieve the best look.

And if you want to attempt it in zBrush, you could use the Masking by Cavity feature. In addition, you would need to polypaint everything black, then apply a mask for the edges and paint white. You may need to do several passes with cavity mask + polypaint, to build up the layers of medium grays to white in order to have a smoother transition.

r_fletch_r

turbosmooth the mesh with smoothing groups enabled. that should get you what you want.

Neox

Is that cavity map baked you gave as an example done in max? Ot almost looks like filtered from a normalmap, like with xnormal in ps, ndo or crazybump.

BenHenry

Woot! I've never seen that feature before! Thanks man!