This tutorial shows how to export a vector displacement map from Autodesk Mudbox and then use it with V-Ray for 3ds Max.
The object is first prepared in Mudbox and a low poly mesh is exported for use in 3ds Max. A vector displacement map is exported as well, which is then used as a displacement texture map.
Then, in 3ds Max, we show the steps of setting the vector displacement map and prepare the object for render with V-Ray.
Note that the settings of the VRayDisplacementMod are universal for rendering with both V-Ray and V-Ray GPU engines.
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Since V-Ray 5.0, Beta 1, VRayHDRI texture has been renamed to VRayBitmap texture.
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In 3ds Max, import the .obj file with the 0-level resolution mesh for your object (File> > Import...).
With the object selected, navigate to the V-Ray shelf and add a VRayDisplacementMod.
Go to the modifier's parameters and choose a VRayHDRIVRayBitmap for the Texmap slot. Select the exported .exr file to load as a Bitmap.
In Color Spacespace transfer function, choose Type None, that is the image is Linear (no Gamma applied).
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Now let's prepare the V-Ray displacement for render. Go back to the VRayDisplacementMod and disable the Filter texmap option.
Depending on the expected displacement, you can choose either a 3D mapping method or a Subdivision one. The Subdivision method is suitable if you need to smooth out the model. You don't need to add any smooth modifiers - the Subdivision method will automatically do the job.
Please note that if you are using the V-Ray GPU render engine, the 2D mapping will not work.
Make sure your Texmap min/max values are set accordingly to the values of the .exr to avoid clipping. You can start with values of -1/1 and see if they allow proper negative displacement.
The Vector Displacement parameter should be set to Object, since this is the Vector Space mode that we chose in Mudbox.
Enable the Keep Continuity Continuity option. This option will help the model not to "break" if the displacement interferes with the object's normals.
You can also play with the Amount and Shift parameters here until you get the desired look. For the purpose of this tutorial, we settle to an Amount of 1.2 cm.
Optionally, you can lower the Edge Length value (default is 4.0) in order to increase the quality, but note it is on the expense of render time.
