question // high poly - low poly workflow

[Vikkie]

hey guys, I was wondering if it's possible to model a high poly model in Zbrush, make a low poly cage for it with the retopolizing tool and export the model into some other application to unwrap, than import it back into zbrush to generate a normal map from the high poly model I first made.

I can make the high poly model and make a low poly model out of it with the retopologizing tools but I'd like to unwrap it at another application.

Thanks in advance.

[BuroKun]

I'm sure you can do this, you could use something like Deep UV to unwrap it.

[Vikkie]

But after unwrapping it when I import it back into Zbrush, I'll have to resculpt it right? or can I transfer the higher level details the previous Ztool ?

[Gavin]

If I understand your question correctly, you can just use ZMapper to capture the detail in the high poly model to project onto the low, unwrapped model you import in later. The problem with this is that the resulting normal map can sometimes be wonky and, in my opinion, not as clean as using a cage.

Although I've never done it, I guess you could go to the objects lowest level, export it to Wings or something, unwrap it, bring it back and then use ZMapper.

Gav

[Vikkie]

Thank you Gavin, you understood me perfectly :D So it's possible but it's not really the best way to do it, and the way to do it is with Zmapper :)

Thanks guys :)

[Gavin]

No problem :) Zmapper is alright for somethings...like organics and stuff. But I find once you have hard surfaces or need a decent AO map, you need to go to a different app and use a cage. I used to use ZMapper all the time but now use either Max (like in poop's tutorial) or xNormal

Gav