Tightness of edge for good baking result?

primnull · Nov 2015

Ok so I'm working on a fresh version of a previous model I tried yesterday and messed up pretty horribly. Thinking my low poly and high poly geometry is wonky. Anyways, how tight should my edges be on my highpoly? I've seen some examples with pretty curvy edges, and others not so much. Is there an ideal shape or angle? Just looking for general shape to produce good details in a normal map. I can show pics of what I'm working on now,

attention to base of extrusion,

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5021068/uploads/editor/cq/jgj37ehjmd7h.jpg

ZacD · Nov 2015

The idea is you want the edge or bevel to have enough space on the UV map that there's enough pixels to describe the edge. If it's too tight it will be a pixel or less and have unwanted artifacts. You also want the edges to hold up when the texture switches to a lower mip. So the tightness depends on the model, texture resolution, texel density, the size of the model on screen, and the target display resolution.

primnull · Dec 2015

so not really an answer. case to case it changes but any general very basic rule to follow? like say my low poly edge is 90 degrees. How smooth should my highpoly edge be? curved at 45 degrees?

ZacD · Dec 2015

It's kinda hard to give a hard rule because it's so relative to what you are doing. It's like asking what DPI should I design a print design around, when you could be talking about a billboard or a business card. I usually try to follow this image as a vague guide.

Image: http://oldwiki.polycount.com/NormalMap?action=AttachFile&do=get&target=normal_edge_thickness.jpg

primnull · Dec 2015

the two models look identical to me? is this a joke or something?

Sajeet · Dec 2015

everything is in the details... look closer at the edges

JedTheKrampus · Dec 2015

Make the bevel at the width where it will be at least a pixel wide for most of the time it's being viewed. Or, two pixels wide if you think it's not too comically wide up close.

primnull · Dec 2015

Yeah I see the difference in crispness of the top edge of the scope in the first three images. Maybe i need new glasses but i can't see a change in any of the others

ZacD · Dec 2015

Look at the highlight on the front top and the transition on the front left from light to dark, they both are a lot more jagged shading and aliasing.

primnull · Dec 2015

so what is the edge difference between the left and the right versions? is there a ratio like 2:1 or something?

Tightness of edge for good baking result?

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