Normal Mapping: ZBrush vs Substance. Which is Better?

Learn how to create normal maps in ZBrush and Substance Painter in this quick tutorial, and see which one is better! Normal maps are an essential tool for adding fine details to your 3D models, and both ZBrush and Substance Painter offer powerful ways to create them. In this Part 2 of my Normal Map Tutorial Series, you'll learn how to create normal maps using both ZBrush and Substance Painter, and compare the results to see which one is better for your workflow. Be sure to check out Part 1 - Creating Normal Maps in Substance Painter from ZBrush - for even more tips and tricks!
Part 1 - • Creating Normal Maps i...
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TIMECODES:
0:00 Intro
2:09 Exporting Normals from ZBrush (Option #1)
5:45 Applying Normal Map in Maya
8:43 Baking Normals in Substance (Option #2)
14:32 Exporting Normals from Substance
16:13 Applying Normal Map in Maya
19:51 Importing ZBrush Maps into Substance (Option #3)
21:08 Baking Additional Maps from ZBrush File
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[@nialismcreates]

I have also been wondering this. So many choices these days! Also the Soften Edge before applying the maps was good to see. I rarely see people talk about that option but it seems really important.

[@davidbittorf]

Absolutely. Soften Edges are really import! Thanks for the feedback.

[@andreassvensson811]

Can you pretty please tell me the timestamp where he talks about this in the video? Thanks.

[@KarelChytilArt]

I have Painter but mainly use ZBrush for baking. Painter Cant handle that details in normal maps which i am sometimes using. But for that workflow not Crazy details in ZBrush Painter does quite good job. Good video

[@davidbittorf]

Thank you!

[@iCamSkiEz]

Really good breakdown and explanations thanks David!

[@davidbittorf]

Thanks for the feedback. I appreciate it.

[@mark9691]

perfect video m8, a million thx

[@davidbittorf]

Thank you!

[@sudarshansaikia4559]

Thank you sir

[@dreambadger]

Does this mean you don't have to do retopology? Or do you need to do that to get the UV maps, which need doing before the normals?

[@davidbittorf]

Retopology and UVs need to be done first.

[@hab18]

Not sure what i'm doing wrong, but when I export the textures, i'm getting very low quality normal maps, it looks like its exporting normal maps for the low poly version and not the high poly version in substance painter

[@davidbittorf]

Hmmm.... When Baking your Mesh Maps make sure the you set the Output Size to at least 2048 or 4096. Also, double check that the High Definition Mesh that you are importing as your High Poly is indeed the correct file. You can do this by opening in it Blender or Maya to confirm that it is the correct file. Hopefully that was helpful.

[@user-fv9gt8yf4x]

sometimes i try extract the normal map and displacment map on zbrush and dont work why?i normally exract normal map and displacment in xnormal

[@davidbittorf]

I’m not sure why it doesn’t always work in Zbrush. Seems kinda of finicky. I’ll usually create normal maps in Substance Painter but I rely on Zbrush for creating the displacement. If xnormal is working for you keep doing that.