Normals in TG for Rocks

Ariel DK · September 25, 2015, 08:58:01 PM

hi to everybody. well.. the question is simple: can TG work with normals? and if can, how? specifically for, say, rocks.
I use ZBrush if that is helpful. thanks in advance for any help

Dune · September 26, 2015, 02:24:43 AM

Did you read some of the threads about rocks? TG can handle normals, but where's the link with ZBrush?

j meyer · September 26, 2015, 12:00:08 PM

If your imported object has normals TG can use 'smooth normals' for that
object or you can flip normals in TG,you can't set creasing angles in TG.
ZBrush does not export normals with it's .obj files,though.
So if you want to use your ZB model with smooth normals you have to add
normals elsewhere.
Matt said that he will add a feature that generates normals on import.

Ariel DK · September 26, 2015, 12:27:34 PM

thanks Ulco, and no, I haven't read others topics (that was my error, but we will try to this thread, be useful for anyone now). I also not understand that you mean by "link With ZBrush," I only mention it, to take into account the software, with which I want to import the normals in TG.

j meyer: its a shame that ZBrush not export normals, maybe a highest polycount work? and use a Surface Layer in the internal network of the object?

j meyer · September 26, 2015, 12:47:57 PM

Not a shame,but a clever way to keep the file sizes low enough for other apps.
Packages like Maya etc generate normals on import usually.

Quote...and use a Surface Layer in the internal network of the object?

I'm not sure I understood that.Do you mean the smoothing feature of a surface
layer? If so,most likely no,I'm afraid.

Ariel DK · September 26, 2015, 01:06:28 PM

I am referring to use a Surface Shader, for basically, texturing the surface of the rock.

j meyer · September 26, 2015, 01:30:35 PM

Ah,ok.
That works fine.In case your mesh is UV mapped you'll have to add a transform
shader set to use world space after your surface layer(s),that's all.

Ariel DK · September 26, 2015, 01:56:25 PM

thanks, I'll try that and post my results as soon as possible.

Dune · September 27, 2015, 03:02:34 AM

Beware that you can only really displace if you set the object to non RT (force displacement). Other way would be to make a vector displacement map out of the ZBrush rock, and displace TG's planet with it.

Ariel DK · September 28, 2015, 12:22:09 PM

Quote from: Dune on September 27, 2015, 03:02:34 AM
Beware that you can only really displace if you set the object to non RT (force displacement). Other way would be to make a vector displacement map out of the ZBrush rock, and displace TG's planet with it.

it's funny, because I just stumble with this problem right now, so thank you for the reference