Make heightmap from image for bas-relief step by step

This is a step by step overview of the process for making a heightmap from a 2D image without using AI based tools. A heightmap is a greyscale image that represents 3d height in pixel form.
Heightmaps can then be used in CAD for CNC and 3D printing as well as for digital sculpting.
It can be time consuming depending on the complexity and detail needed for an image, however for non-photographic or very flat looking images it is best to have complete control of the process. This is for people who want a very specific result with a particular image.
Thanks for watching!
I've written an article for this video here:
theartsquirrel.com/3787/2d-im...
My other videos referred to in this video useful to some of the steps
Digital Painting a Squirrel Drinking Hot Chocolate
• Digital Painting a Squ...
Improving 2D generated (non AI) normal maps using sculpting in Blender
• Improving 2D generated...
Bas Relief Zbrush Sculpt Squirrel Drinking Hot Chocolate
• Bas Relief Zbrush Scul...
My Website: thimblefolio.com
My Blog: theartsquirrel.com
0:00 Intro and what the result will be
0:39 2D Image
0:46 Make an initial normal map using Laigter
1:36 Create heightmap in Laigter
1:52 Sculpt a better normal map using Blender
2:35 Extract Light directions from the normal map
3:26 Hand paint better light directions
4:24 Recombine the hand painted light directions into a new normal map using Sprite lamp
6:00 Create masks for parts of the 2D image
7:17 Create normal maps for the parts in Laigter
7:30 Re-combine the parts into a normal map
7:45 Blend the 2 normal maps in Krita
9:00 Extract the displacement / heightmap from the combined normal map

[@vonnie0_0]

I love your videos, very calming and informative. ❤️

[@artsquirrel]

Thank you so much!

[@RAMAMOORTHIANNADURAI]

may i know what is the difference between normal map, height map and displacement map!/

[@artsquirrel]

The normal map is the blue, red and green image. When I refer to height maps and displacement maps I'm talking about the greyscale images, height maps and displacement maps are the same thing in the context of this video, just known as different names. They are used for displacing geometry. Normal maps don't alter the geometry but they create the illusion of 3d on 2d images for dynamic lighting in game engines.

[@RAMAMOORTHIANNADURAI]

@@artsquirrel thanks for quick response. In case I am having a black and white line drawing of a cake and i want to create a 3d model of that cake using blender. Can i use this method to get a sample height map and import into blender to create basic mesh and retopologies?

[@artsquirrel]

Yes as long as you just want a 2.5d bas relief cake effect you could use your drawing as a starting point for this method to create a height map. The height map could then be used in a displacement modifier on a subdivided plane or as an alpha in sculpting to create the 3d model. If you wanted a full 3D version in the round and not just a bas relief of your drawing you would need to model it or sculpt it using the drawing and cakes as reference.