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TimLIVID
10-02-2008, 03:50 PM
Hello all.

First post on this site!

I have recently got ZBrush and have imported a model from Maya to start adding some detail and then go on to adding some textures. I want to start by getting a basic alpha down to get some fine skin detail in place and then work from there.

The problem starts with the alpha. I have divided the model to it's max (6 times) but when I apply the alpha it looks blockie and messy and no way near detailed enough.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Yours
plunq
10-02-2008, 11:37 PM
If you are rendering your model straight from Zbrush, you can use Zbrush's HD Geometry to divide even higher. Only drawback is you can only work on one area at a time (Based on how many polys your model is and how many it can display at once) AND it can only be rendered from Zbrush. Currently HD geometry can't be baked into displacement or normal maps. Hopefully with 3.5, which they have yet to set a date for.
Another thing you can try is to split your model into subtools. You can then subdivide each subtool to the max allowable poly limit, bake out a displacement or normal map for each subtool and combine them in photoshop for use in another 3d package. An easy way to make subtools is to hide parts of your model, then use the Group Visible option in the Polygroups tab. Once your mesh is split up into different polygroups, use teh GrpSplit button in the subTool tab and it will split your model up into subTools based on your polygroups.

Hope either of those helped.
TimLIVID
10-03-2008, 07:29 AM
Thanks for getting back to me.

I think I will try the second option.

I have cut up my unsmoothed model in Maya to create separate pieces of geometry. The head, body and legs.

Im then going to divide each of them as needed in ZBrush to create the detail and to get the normal map out of that.

When I am back in Maya would I need to combine or to smooth? I am only going to be posing the model at the end of the day.

Thanks once again.
TimLIVID
10-03-2008, 07:48 AM
The image might help.

http://img90.imageshack.us/img90/8117/pic01vs9.jpg
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10-03-2008, 07:48 AM
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