When working on models for video games which require low resolution textures and normal maps (512x512 maximum), I sometimes run into the problem that normal maps come out pixelated while other times they do not. It's weird because sometimes they are smooth, others they are pixelated... and others they are both...
Do you guys know some tips for avoiding pixelation (or what causes it) when baking normal maps at low resolutions?
I've tried to find help on this but the recurring solution is increase the resolution... not really an option for me.
Here is a recent example of some being pixelated and some being smooth:
I tried many different ways of marking the seams, scaling the islands, separating different parts but nothing works.
This is an example of a model that refuses to not be pixelated.
Original model:
Mesh:
Mesh with Normal Map and Simple Textures (512x512):
And normal map (the island on the top left is the inside which will not be seen so it is not properly mapped, I tried shrinking that and increasing everything else as well but that didn't work either):