Baking normal maps from high poly mesh in a correct way.

Ericoscarj · Mar 2013

So now I finished sculpting in Scultpris and I have a high poly mesh and I wonder what the best way of getting a good normal map from the high poly mesh, so i can use it on a lower poly mesh.

When I UV map in Sculptris and then try to export the Normal map from the image just turn out to be blue, and I have no clue what that happens.

Would be appreciated if someone could help me.

Farfarer · Mar 2013

I'm not sure I understand exactly but it sounds like you're not baking to the low poly mesh?

TrampledUnderFoot · Mar 2013

You need a low poly mesh to bake the detail to.

You also do not have to UV the high poly.

Ericoscarj · Mar 2013

So what would I do when i have a high-poly and low-poly mesh? what software can i use?

Obscura · Mar 2013

what modeling software you have?max?maya?or cou can try xnormal.

Ericoscarj · Mar 2013

im using maya, and thanks i will check xnormal out

shellnut · Mar 2013

I use blender and this is how I do it. I export the object from sculptris. Then import to blender and make or adjust the lowpoly polymodel I previously made, then uvmap it. To bake the normal map, in object mode, shift+select the highpoly and then the lowpoly.

glaive · Mar 2013

I personally use Xnormal. Didn't try it on intricate organic models, but for hard surface models or smaller props, it gives nice result.

Baking normal maps from high poly mesh in a correct way.

Replies