Normal Map texture problem in 3Ds Max!

hello guys.
for the last three weeks im suffering with 3ds max baking my normal maps with problems. the funny thing is that i even tried xnormal but im still getting the same results. so basically i get flat normal to the center of my object’s map and around the edges i get weird shadows like its distorted or something. I tried mesh skewing it didn’t work. I also downloaded some project files from digital tutors and didn’t change anything and I baked it I got the same issues although I rechecked the video and the guy didn’t have this flat texture problem. So im guessing theres something wrong with my max and not my model. so heres a quick model i made to represent my problem:

My sample model:

my texture:

my texture applied to a low poly mesh:
1818cfecd5468169d630a626045b98b42c63fc72.jpeg

So im really getting worried cuz i can’t even bake a normal map without this problem anymore. plz help me.

This is normal and expected behavior. Here’s a big thread about normal map skewing, why it happens, and how to avoid it. http://polycount.com/discussion/147227/skew-you-buddy-making-sense-of-skewed-normal-map-details

The easiest fix would be just to add edge loops near the corners of the cube, and using a cage that is barely larger than your high poly.

Also this thread should probably be in content creation.

Download highpoly, lowpoly, cage, and textures: https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0B7m3EkWf1vh6UWMzWVJfcTI5akU&usp=sharing