Troubleshoot sculpting using a displacement map

Problem/Error Message	Cause/Possible solution
The displacement map appears soft or blurry when applied to the target model.	The model doesn’t have enough resolution to represent the detail in the displacement map. Subdivide the model further before applying the displacement map. This might require a few attempts before you determine the optimum subdivision level.
The displacement map appears with a stair-stepping effect when applied to the target model.	The displacement map resolution is too low in comparison to the resolution of the target model. Extract a displacement map that is higher in resolution. The bit depth of the extracted texture map was too low. Bit depth is a factor in how accurately detail can be captured in an extraction. Using texture maps with low bit depths may not accurately capture smooth gradations in height, causing a stair-step effect when the map is applied.
The displacement map produces visible spikes, undercuts, and artifacts that were not on the original high resolution model.	A variety of artifacts can occur when extracting and applying a displacement map between models of different topologies and UV layouts. When this occurs, check that the UV correspondence between the extracted meshes is acceptable. Check that some spikes or dropouts did not occur in the displacement map during the original extraction. This appears as white or black regions. Some cleanup work using the sculpting tools may be required. The Mask tool is useful in these situations.

Problem/Error Message

Cause/Possible solution

The displacement map appears soft or blurry when applied to the target model.

The model doesn’t have enough resolution to represent the detail in the displacement map. Subdivide the model further before applying the displacement map. This might require a few attempts before you determine the optimum subdivision level.

The displacement map appears with a stair-stepping effect when applied to the target model.

The displacement map resolution is too low in comparison to the resolution of the target model. Extract a displacement map that is higher in resolution.

The bit depth of the extracted texture map was too low. Bit depth is a factor in how accurately detail can be captured in an extraction. Using texture maps with low bit depths may not accurately capture smooth gradations in height, causing a stair-step effect when the map is applied.

The displacement map produces visible spikes, undercuts, and artifacts that were not on the original high resolution model.

A variety of artifacts can occur when extracting and applying a displacement map between models of different topologies and UV layouts. When this occurs, check that the UV correspondence between the extracted meshes is acceptable.

Check that some spikes or dropouts did not occur in the displacement map during the original extraction. This appears as white or black regions.

Some cleanup work using the sculpting tools may be required. The Mask tool is useful in these situations.

Troubleshoot sculpting using a displacement map

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