Heightmaps in AD for Epoxy Details

In response to a request as to creating heightmaps for carving to show details arising from differing depths of epoxy as done in:

This was done in Affinity Designer (AD) but could be done in most other vector graphic apps.
For the aneome the heightmap looks as such:

This must be done in layers for proper overlap of the multiple tentacles. Here’s one layer, simply 8 closed vectors filled with black:

An Inner Glow is applied and the parameters set

Here’s another layer beneath the first:

All the layers, same application of Inner Glow:

But this needed tweaking. A trial run showed too much white after the epoxy was placed so the entire map was lowered by superimposing a black rectangle with very low opacity on top:

Finally, a matte was applied to hold-out for the fish:

This was saved as a 600 dpi PNG and used in CC. I also make the outlines in AD versus CC. This was saved as an SVG at 96 dpi:

The fish orange detail is somewhat different. In its entirety:

The recesses between the spines are closed vectors with a black fill:

A slight blur is applied:

The body curvature depth is simulated with a gradient fill:

An overall base layer is needed:

All combined together:

And matted:

The head was done in a somewhat opposite fashion where elements like the lips were raised versus the lowering between spines. Here the lips were given an Inner Glow of a lighter color than the base and then Blur was added:

And it’s as easy as that! Lots of trial and error but it will go faster next time. Don’t attempt this unless you’re retired or lobbying for a divorce.

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Looks like you found Nemo! Nice write up.

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Thanks. Retired teacher here.I couldn’t remember the term “mask” so I defaulted to “matte” and “holdout” from my years doing SFX cinematography.

Very well explained. You not retired, you just have a new set of students.

There is always questions on modifying images for height maps.
I am going to use a few of your techniques. Thanks !

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Thanks for this: Creating decent bump/height/depth maps has always been a bit of a trial. I no longer use Photoshop/GIMP. I have the complete Affinity suite of software and will look at this. Being a little bit lazy, I recently delved into the use of AI to produce sufficiently detailed monochrome illustrations with which to produce a depth map that I could use to create my STL files for carving.

This is one example of my created image using an online AI software.

Using another online software I was able to convert it into a height map.

Then I converted the image into an STL file for carving.

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