ZBrush Normal Mapping

[MONEYISMYTHING123]

i do not have the Zplugin if anyone can help me out with a link on the Pixologic site for a download link cuz i still cant find it (probably blind) and where i should put the plugin. Thanks!

[Pixo3]

There is no ZMapper anymore in ZBrush. Normal Map creation is completely different now. Are you still using 3.1? If so try clicking on the tab key when in ZMapper. That should bring the menu up

[Ralpimp09]

Hey guys I am having a problem. My Zbrush normal maps are rendering strange in maya. Anywhere I sculpt with an ADD brush, creates the opposite effect and creates a crater. This is also visibile if I look at my normal map, how can I fix this?

[Lancemaker]

@Ralpimp09 if u are creating normal maps for animated objects like humans u should use and configure it to tangent space maps, if u are using still objects try the object space. U need to configure it in maya to the specific type of normal maps on the hypershade configurations.

[dovlex]

every time i export my normal and i render my model looks so screwed in 3dmax..

How to import model in 3dmax to have quads no tris...i think that is problem with me.

[Pixo3]

You need to have UVs in order for it to render correctly in 3DSMAX.

[AnSiB]

If i create a model in 3dsmax and then export it into zbrush and starting sculpting onto it and then export the normals will that texture apply correctly? or do i need to some some uv mapping?

[LikeFuriousFire]

@AnSiB Yes you do need UV mapping.

[karlous1]

i would have liked to see the result in maya...

[rahkriga]

hey... I have a normal map i want to use in maya. How do I setup the normal in maya? What node do I map it to?

[marz183]

Great help, 5 stars

[Pixo3]

For Max you have to switch your settings is ZMapper. Click on Open Configuration. Click on the MAX version. That should help you.

[ampsand]

ZBrush 3.1 and Max 2009. I've tried many tutorials about normal mapping, but it doesn't work for some reason.

Also, thank you so much for the quick reply!

[Pixo3]

What version of ZBrush are you using? There is no ZMapper in the MAC 3.12 or Windows 3.5. If you have the UVs on the mesh and take it down to the lowest level you should get a normal map when you click on create normal map. The map has to be exported though in the newer versions to the texture palette. Let me know what version you have and I can help.

[ampsand]

Been trying to normal map for a while now, but i don't have Zmapper for some reason. Have unwrapped the UVs in 3Ds Max, and sculpted down to SubD 7 in ZB. But when i click on the create normal map button in the tools menu, it doesn't do anything, i'm on the lowest subdivision when i try to make it and the UVs are relatively okay (I'm a beginner at all of this). I'm almost ready to just give up so any help is appreciated please!

[Pixo3]

I am not sure of your question apolloweman. Can you give me more information please?

[apolloweman]

how do u get normality 3.1 ?

[Pixo3]

make sure you have tangent N.Map on. The rainbow color is a object map.

[Pixo3]

ZMapper can only do one Subtool at a time. Is the blade another Subtool. Bring each in at once and then export each map once you come out. Be careful with a sword you may need to have a higher poly count on the lowest level.

[KiNG5333]

ok forget it, but how Do I make it, its original color when I map it It turns into like a rainbow color

[KiNG5333]

Good Video 5/5

I made a Sword in Zbrush now im trying to map it but in zmapper it only maps the handle and not the rest of the sword.

Any Suggestions?

[Pixo3]

It is the resolution of your monitor. change that and you should be fine. Let me know.

[PSPmaster321]

Hi, awesome video.

Except, when I press Zmapper, I dont get the interface. My model just appears and spins.

Whats up with that??

[TheIcemanModdeler]

I think i figured out what made the seams, it was the way i made the UV's there was a bit of streching where the seams are and that was what made the seam. I thought that the zmapper made the normal map just like the way projection works in bodypaint(when you paint on youre model the texture conforms specific to the Uvs). Thanks anyway!

[TheIcemanModdeler]

I have tons of tutorials and none of the help, yes i did that and still nothing, if you want i cam make a video and put it on youtube. i have seen that using Zmapper you can make the seams sometimes smaller but you can never make it dissapear.I am using maya 2009, i also tested it in maya 2008 and the same results. I also tryed Xnormal and it got rid of some seams but not all.

[Pixo3]

IcemanModdeler

what version of Maya are you using. Try the set configuration for best quality for Maya. you may have to play with expert pass1 and expert pass 2 in ZMapper to get a map that has no seams in Maya. You will not see nay seams in ZBrush because it is more a Maya ZBrush combination issue. I know doesn't help that much but all you can do is trial and error

[TheIcemanModdeler]

I created a normal map for some cloth and i get a seam in maya, but the seam does not appear in the zmapper view, do you know what it could be. If i plug the normal map as a color in maya there is no seam, but as i said if i plug it in the bump node and set it to a tangent space normal map i get a seam.

[Pixo3]

in the display properties under the Tool Palette there is a double button. Click that.

[schova]

OMFG so fast?!@?

your so awesome thank you~

I was about to be an idiot and ask where you were talking about but I got it

THANK YOU SO MUCH!

[schova]

I have been trying to do this..

Whenever I create a plane in 3ds max and export into zbrush the side that I want to edit does not show.... zbrush will only show the back side or normal side that is NOT shown in 3ds max

How can I get it to show both sides? or at least the FRONT side so i can manipulate the correct side?

I tried exporting with normals flipped but it does the same thing....

some advice would be greatly appreciated T__T

[Pixo3]

yes that is exactly what I mean.

[Pixo3]

schova

that is exactly what i did. I made pictures of rock that I changed a little. I also sculpted detail in by masking off sections and using various brushes. start with some pics and make them grey scale. Remember to have a roll off along the edges.

[schova]

Thank you!

such a fast response

roll off edges? do you mean like to have soft edges so when the alpha is created i wont have hard edges?

[schova]

THank you for these tutorials

I was wondering how you got such a great amount of detail for the final product? did you sculpt all that in yourself? I have been trying to duplicate what you did cant get that REAL look. I was thinking about making a custom alpha from a rock wall image and applying that to be the normal...

Any help would be greatly appreciated~! thanks in advance

[Pixo3]

do you have examples of your issues. Where are you rendering it out at? Remember normal maps are a rgb map that does not change the form of your mesh. That is what a displacement do, but the normal map will give a lot of detail, yes. I need to see examples of what you are talking about.

[tsuikjoshiomatsu]

thanks for the tutorial, i didnt knew all the options of the zmapper, espetially the region tool, i have one question, the outcome of that normal map its similar of the render result? because i have problems when rendering all the detail its lost, this has something to do whit the resolution of the normal map(in this case 2048px) or its a uv problem?

[Hookah1388]

Good video. Did you say you have to flip image of the normal map for Maya to read? I'm curious, why is that?

Also, can ZBrush 3 do everything Maya does?

[Pixo3]

No ZBrush 3 does not do everything Maya does. They are different applications. ZBrush is a sculpting application and 2D/2.5D application. you have to flip the map because the map would be upside down and the Mayas and ZBrushs Y space are not the same

[Hookah1388]

Oh, okay. Thanks. I think I'll go with Maya over 3dMax.

Also, why would the image still be upside down lol.

[juanmax]

too much thanks. i learn a little bit more about that amazing software.

[Pixo3]

What is it doing when you click create normal map? can you even get into ZMapper? Give me the steps that you are doing so I know what is going on. Happy to help out.

[Pixo3]

I don't understand your question. Why did it take me 10 mins. to say what? I was walking through all of the settings and that is what took the longest.

[eljay692005]

why did it have to take you 10 minutes to say that!