To paint displacement for 3D models, use a 3D painting tool (e.g., Substance Painter, Blender Texture Paint) to apply grayscale details that define surface depth for rendering.
- **Grayscale basics**: Displacement maps use white (raises surfaces) and black (lowers surfaces) to add tactile textures—like skin pores, wood grain, or stone cracks—for realistic renders. - **Common uses**: Ideal for lifelike character skin or textured product materials (e.g., rough metal, weathered wood). - **Beginner tip**: Start with Blender’s Texture Paint mode—use a soft grayscale brush on a simple model (like a sphere) to test details, then link the map to your renderer (Cycles, Arnold) to see depth in action.
By focusing on grayscale values and starting simple, you can easily add realistic depth to your 3D models for rendering.