how to draw a map of heights from .obj?

[Anonymous]

how to draw a map of heights from .obj?

[Alfred.DeFlaminis]

Hello @Anonymous and welcome to the community,

I'd like to help here but I'm not totally sure what you're looking to do.  Can you please post an example image?  Are you trying to capture detail from a high poly object to a low?  Lastly, are you looking for the black and white height map or a normal map?  Thanks!

Best Regards,

[Anonymous]

I have a file with a landscape with a .max extension, it contains a lot of files with the extension .dds, which are assembled into models and make up this very landscape. I would like to know if it is possible to convert this all into a map of heights. Yes, I need a map of heights to import as a landscape. I attach screenshots with the fact that I have an example of the final result. Thanks for your reply.

[Alfred.DeFlaminis · Accepted solution]

Hello @Anonymous,

I think you could bake a height map from this.  It's going to require you to learn a bit about the Render to Texture utility in 3ds Max.  There are some links here to get you familiar with the tool.  Once you get the idea, instructions below.  

Here's what I would do:

1) Attach all the parts into 1

2) Make a 4x4 plane that sits just under the lowest point of the high poly object from step 1

3) Use Render to Texture on the low poly plane.  Use projection mapping and pick the high poly plane.

4) Adjust your cage so it is just over the highest part of your high poly plane.  I usually hit "reset" then "push".  

5) Bake the height map.  

6) Go to the Projection options and set your Min and Max to just below and above the buffer values.  (Buffer values only appear after you've baked once.)

7) Bake again, done.  

Sample scene attached.  

Best Regards,

[Alfred.DeFlaminis]

Hello @Anonymous,

I just wanted to follow up here, any thoughts on my previous post? Thanks for the update!

Best Regards,