Creating Normal Maps

From ZBrush Info

Normal Maps can be created using the Normal Maps section in the Tool palette Tools:Normal Map. More advanced normal map creation tools can also be accessed when using the Zmapper plug in. This section will describe how to create a normal map using the Tool palette.

To create a normal map, draw your model on the canvas. The normal map controls will not be available unless the model includes UV map coordinates. You can quickly generate UV coordinates using the UV mapping buttons located in the Texture section of the Tool palette Tool:Texture. UV coordinates generated and imported with the model from another 3D program will work just as well. You can view the UV coordinates as a texture using the Tools:Texture:UV>txr button. More about working with UVs can be found Here.

UVs have been created for this model using "Group UV" option. The UVs are shown on the model as a texture.

Once this is all set up, the Normal Map controls should be available.

Tangent - you can use the Tangent button to create a Tangent Space normal map, otherwise the default settings will create an object space normal map.

NMRes Slider - this determines the resolution of the normal map that will be generated. Normal maps are square in shape to match UV coordinate layouts so there is no need for separate X and Y resolution sliders.

Adaptive - Adaptive Scan Mode allows for the map to be more accurate in areas of higher detail. This will cause the generation process to take more time but will result in a more accurate map. When the button is active, all subsequent maps will use Adaptive Scan Mode until the button is deactivated.

SmoothUV - This smooths out the UV mapping as the normal map is created.

Create Normal Map - This button will generate the normal map and place it in the Texture palette.