Blender Bake Normals From High Poly To Low Poly
How to Bake Normals From High Poly To Low Poly in Blender
In 3D modeling, baking is the process of transferring details from one model to another. In this case, it's transferring the details from a high poly model to a low poly model. This process is done to reduce the number of polygons in the model while still preserving the details. Baking normals in Blender is a relatively simple process that can be done in a few simple steps. Let's take a look at how to bake normals from high poly to low poly in Blender.
Step 1: Prepare the Models
The first step in the process is to prepare the models. This involves ensuring that the normals are facing the correct direction, and that there are no overlapping polygons. The high poly model should be the source model, and the low poly model should be the destination model. It's also important to ensure that the two models are properly aligned. Once the models are properly aligned and prepared, it's time to move on to the next step.
Step 2: Set Up the Baking Settings
The next step is to set up the baking settings. In Blender, these settings can be found in the Bake tab of the Render Properties panel. Here, you can choose the type of baking you want to do, as well as the resolution and other settings. For baking normals, it's best to use the "Normal" type and select "Selected to Active" as the Bake Mode. Once the settings are configured, it's time to move on to the next step.
Step 3: Select the Source and Destination Objects
The third step is to select the source and destination objects. For this, you need to select the high poly model as the source, and the low poly model as the destination. To do this, select the high poly model first, then press Shift+Ctrl+Alt+C to open the context menu. From here, select "Set as Source" to set the high poly model as the source. Then, select the low poly model and press Shift+Ctrl+Alt+C again to open the context menu. From here, select "Set as Destination" to set the low poly model as the destination.
Step 4: Bake the Normals
Once the source and destination objects are selected, it's time to bake the normals. To do this, press the "Bake" button in the Bake tab of the Render Properties panel. This will start the baking process, and it may take a few minutes to complete. Once the process is finished, the normals will be baked from the high poly model to the low poly model.
Step 5: Clean Up the Normals
The final step is to clean up the normals. To do this, select the low poly model and press Shift+Ctrl+N to open the normals menu. From here, you can adjust the normals of the model to get the desired result. You can also use the "Smooth" option to smooth out any rough edges or seams. Once you're satisfied with the result, you can save the model and you're done.
Conclusion
Baking normals from high poly to low poly in Blender is a relatively simple process that can be done in a few easy steps. By following the steps outlined above, you can quickly and easily bake the normals from one model to another, allowing you to reduce the number of polygons in the model while still preserving the details. So, if you're looking to bake normals from high poly to low poly in Blender, give these steps a try!
