In this case I have a 3D model created with Photofly- I want to create a vector displacement map for it in Mudbox. I’m not sure what the right workflow would be to get a good vector displacement map.  You can’t use the high res scan mesh directly to create a vector displacement map since you can’t reconstruct subdivision levels.  The workflows I’ve tried are to similar to:

1.Import high res scan and low res retopo mesh
2.Transfer Details to low res mesh
3.Use new mesh to create a vector displacement map
4.Try using this map as a stencil or stamp

The results look flat.

On the other hand if I start out in Mudbox and sculpt something starting with a flat plane I get non-flat results in the end.

I read somewhere that Mudbox uses the UV offset between the high and low res mesh to create the vector displacement map.  I’m not sure what that means exactly but maybe I get flat results because there is not much offset between my high res scan mesh and my low res retopo mesh since the low res conforms to the high res…

Any help appreciated.