{"id":10661,"date":"2025-01-31T19:43:36","date_gmt":"2025-01-31T19:43:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/3dcoat.com\/documentation\/?p=10661"},"modified":"2025-01-31T21:06:23","modified_gmt":"2025-01-31T21:06:23","slug":"cavity-and-curvature-maps","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/3dcoat.com\/documentation\/2025\/01\/31\/cavity-and-curvature-maps\/","title":{"rendered":"Cavity and Curvature maps"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

How can i export only curvature and occlusion maps?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n

On Paint Room open the export Panel at File > Export > Objects & Textures<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

<\/a>Create a new Export Constructor preset selecting only ExportAO and Export Curvature Map.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When i click on the Export Panel add texture <\/em>and then i click RGB i cannot find any curvature name, only cavity. Is cavity same as curvature?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n

Yes and no.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cavity <\/em>Map<\/em> focus on small details, while <\/em>C<\/em>urvature <\/em>Map<\/em> emphasize the overall shape of a surface, <\/em>it<\/em> map store the concave and convex edges of a mesh.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

However ‘Cavity map’ is different than \u201cCurvature map\u201d. A Curvature map actually store the concave and convex edges of a mesh. Is also called Concavity, Convexity, Pits & Peaks, Worn Edge.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The convex (white) <\/em>and<\/em> the concave (Black) <\/em>is <\/em>Curvature <\/em>map <\/em>and the transition between peaks and crevices (gr<\/em>a<\/em>y values) of the model <\/em>is <\/em>Cavity <\/em>map<\/em>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To produce a <\/em>C<\/em>avity map that we could use as Curvature, we need more gr<\/em>a<\/em>y-scale values so that we can identify the convex (white), the concave (Black) and the transition between peaks and crevices (gr<\/em>a<\/em>y values) of the model.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

– Cavity texture<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Focuses on small details like crevices, grooves, and indentations (cavity maps are also known as crevice maps).
They are a more detailed version of ambient occlusion maps.
Cavity maps can be useful for improving dirt masks, enhancing colors, and adding highlights.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

– Curvature texture<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Focuses on the overall shape of a surface, showing where the surface curves inward or outward.
Curvature maps are also known as concavity, convexity, pits and peaks, or worn edge.
Curvature maps can be used to simulate edge wear, highlight details, and check for surface continuity.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Curvature can be both an RGB map encoding convexity\/concavity in separate channels, or a gray scale map encoding convex edges as white and concave edges as black like in the image <\/em>below<\/em>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I went ahead and exported cavity, it looks like a curvature map. Can i use that one as a curvature?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n

Select Cavity for Curvature. (the map generated is named Cavity at export).<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This map is often (erroneously) called Cavity, but more accurately a Cavity map can also be a white map with concave edges encoded as black.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3DCoat does not have the option to export both maps at the same time, but you can generate them using the Generate Curvature map tool.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Utilize Normal maps during AO and Curvature baking<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n

Other major new Improvement is the ability to utilize Normal maps during this baking process, so let’s go ahead and get started by hiding some of the layers.
Hold down the ALT key and select the visibility icon on one of these layers and the only one to leave intact is the one that has normal map information on it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

You need to have the Normal map visible so that 3DCoat can utilize it during this baking process.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

So now let’s go ahead and go to the Edit menu and choose Calculate Occlusion and Curvature maps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pay attention that curvature consists of two components<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n

First is local curvature that allows to detect small details, scratches.
Second is long-range curvature that flows smoothly and allows to detect large details.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

If you need Gray Maps set intensity for both types: curvature or cavity.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n