Normal map - best way?

Support Materials and Textures
1

I created such a sculpt with alpha brush texture. What’s the best way to make a normal map out of it? retopology? I am asking for specific advice.

Zrzut ekranu 2024-05-02 231259
Zrzut ekranu 2024-05-02 231259583×579 107 KB

2

Not sure if it the best way, but an easy way is to use a normal matcap and viewport render image.

Put a plane behind your object and view flat on, use the Matcap that does normals. Viewport render image. Set colour management to standard. The resolution of the viewport render is controlled by the output resolution settings.

vr
vr1914×940 81.2 KB

The resulting Normal map in the material of a simple plane

result
result1821×871 59.7 KB

Edit;

(having fun now)
You can even make a normal map of an entire blender scene, and turn it into an engraving! (just a cylinder with a lovely normal map)

normal2
normal21916×1001 146 KB

4 Likes
3

Iirc then a alpha map uses a height map.You have to bake a heightmap of your model then.

Maybe like this

edit,oops read your post again you want to bake a normal map.Like this.

4

Deep Bump and 5 seconds?

5

Sure, you can use addons as well