Exporting displacement and normal map in Zbrush

#1

Hi everyone,
I used 3ds max 2015 to make a base mesh with little details then I applied UVW unwrap so as to unwrap my mesh. After all, I exported it to an OBJ file and imported it using Zbrush. After dividing and sculpting I tried to export displacement map but the quality of the displacement map is low. I mean the areas I’ve not manipulated aren’t completely white and this causes a problem of deformation in other areas. When I apply it in my Vray mterial slot as displacement, the render result isn’t what I aimed at. I’m completely at a loss how I can increase displacement quality to what I’ve made in Zbrush. The second problem is that 3ds max creates displacement (for sunk areas) by thickening all other areas which I’ve not manipulated and this causes my mesh to seem more thick than what I desired. At this time, the only accurate method I’m using is to export sculpted model to an OBJ file and import it in 3ds max(in high subdivision). Please help me to increase displacement map quality. Why isn’t displacement map created by Zbrush as accurate as the file exported(in high subdivision) using Zbrush? :argh:
Please help me. Thanks.

#2

Here’s a tutorial I made on the subject a while ago. It explains the entire process:

//youtu.be/hEDL-2v3X1A

#3

Thank you for your response. I’ve taken some snapshots of my problem that I think it can make the main problem so clear.
I’ve modeled a ring mesh without any small detail. I imported it as an OBJ file in Zbrush. After sculpting, I exported displacement map as TIF file but the result isn’t good. It messes up the mesh’s overall shape.
Please help me. Why does this happen?

#4

My exported displacement map is as the photo below. The only changes created by Zbrush are those shapes and the text “ROYA”. Displacement map messes up other areas which I’ve not manipulated in Zbrush.

#5

Are you using a VraydispMod or the material’s displacement map slot?

#6

Hi again,
In the both, the result is just a mess-up. I tried an another simple shape. I made a simple rectangle in max and add three shapes on its three sides using Zbrush. I exported the displacement map but the result is just a mess-up. Let’s clarify the problem one more time. My problem is deformation in borders(seams). As you see in my displacement map, the borders of all rectangles (my UV map) are whitish means Zbrush has added displacement map to those areas too. I think all the area which I’ve not manipulated have to be gray and only the areas I’ve added some details have to be white or black. Can you solve this??? The culprit is the Zbrush since it can’t handle a correct map. My Zbrush version is 4R6.
Once again, my problem is with borders. They are whitish. It’s Zbrush’s fault.
Please help me. Thanks.

#7

What ZB settings are you exporting your map with?

What settings are you using in the VrayDispMod?(don’t use the material displacement as it is known to cause black artifacts on geometry edges)

Have you made sure you have no overlapping/flipped UVs?

Zbrush creates perfectly fine Disp maps.

Also, don’t use a .tif file. Max dosn’t like them.

#8

fa2020, I know exactly what you’re experiencing. When someone posts “ZBrush creates displacement maps perfectly,” it really isn’t helpful b/c, obviously, there’s something different in your (and my) settings where the map it’s generating isn’t coming out how we would expect it to.

Anyway, I actually figured this out a few weeks back. It’s one simple setting somewhere, but I forgot. Now I’ve come up with the same issue again and I’m searching the web for that post again. When I find it, I’ll post back. It’s been a while and you might’ve already figured it out (in which case, be great if you can remind me again also and share how you fixed this), but I’ll post back just in case. And maybe someone else out there experiencing the same problem will have this post also they might run across in case it helps them.

#9

Ok, found the post again. Here are the helpful instructions that were posted:

"Actually i had the same problem with the edge thing today.

I think i solved it with the crease instructions.

  1. Go to subdivision level one.
  2. Make sure Tool>Geometry>Crease>CreaseLvl is set to 15.
  3. Press Tool>Geometry>Crease>Crease All
  4. Generate the displacement map."

And here’s a link to the post:
http://www.zbrushcentral.com/showthread.php?190519-Displacement-Edge-Problem&p=1143066

Hope that helps.

p.s. - at least this applies directly to your example of taking a rectangle (cube), drawing the shapes on it, and trying to generate a clean map.