Just Learning[normal maps]

[Jettatore]

I'm at a slight loss here in finding an online link at the moment, but basically you need good examples of normal map usage to borrow strategies from. And from there just practice.

[Bonechilla]

yeah i have watched a lot of tutorials but they were in maya and max so the set up were slightly different. in one of the max tuts i saw them import the higher res model into the scene and baking with the higher res model on top of the lower res one

[j83]

Normal maps are basically a texture that stores vector data. Think of it this way, whereas every pixel in the normal can store a high poly mesh normal. It is not too good of use to have a "high poly" model to bake normals from if it doesn't have a lot of polygons to get a good amount of vector data from.

Also, you'll want your smoothing groups and UV islands to match each other, to get proper interpolation around mesh edges, etc.

So for you're example, you're going to want your highpoly source to have more polygons to better use your normal map. :)

[Bonechilla]

Normal maps are basically a texture that stores vector data. Think of it this way, whereas every pixel in the normal can store a high poly mesh normal. It is not too good of use to have a "high poly" model to bake normals from if it doesn't have a lot of polygons to get a good amount of vector data from.

Also, you'll want your smoothing groups and UV islands to match each other, to get proper interpolation around mesh edges, etc.

So for you're example, you're going to want your highpoly source to have more polygons to better use your normal map. :)

ah thank yu MrJonathan so your saying add a couple levels to subsurf and i'll get an even better effect :bowdown:
i think i properly understand what normal maps are now thank you :beer:

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