3D WORKSHOP:
Baking normal maps from a high poly model.
Figure 3: Low poly mesh shown relative to the 'XYZ' axis in Blender.
Figure 5: Showing both the high and low poly mesh in the same place (low poly is selected and highlighted (pink).
WARNING : Do not skip the above steps, make sure the low poly mesh has a good 'clean' UVW map and that both objects are in the exact same place; taking short cuts and ignoring the above will result in poor render results and wonky renders (for more on this see the 'advanced' section).
by Ken Beyer
Baking normal maps with Blender
www.blenderart.org
Baking normal maps with Blender is straight forward, both the high and low resolution versions of the model need to be selected, a few options active and a 'render' button pressed. Figure 4: The high poly mesh shown placed at the same 'XYZ' coordinates on Blenders grid as the low poly version.
HOW TO : render bake normal maps The order in which the two mesh objects are selected is important so make sure to do this correctly;
Once this initial preparation is done to both meshes, it's time to render the normal maps.
Issue 20 | Feb 2009 - Make it! Bake it! Fake it!
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