the RGB channels correspond to XYZ in 3d space. 128,128,255 blue will basically inherit the normal direction from the model; while changing R and G values will shift the default normal direction left/right or up/down. There are disadvantages associated with hand painting the normal map for sure, but it's not absolutely…
Ah, brilliant! You guys are awesome. Thank you. I woke up this morning to all kinds of solutions. So, I'll try to address as much as I can: - I'm working in 3ds Max and texturing in Photoshop. - I welded the verts along the said seam so the two overlapping UVs should be perfectly aligned where the should. - In the baking…