Layers- help needed

[boozy floozie]

How can I layer a painted image so each layer is "ground zero"?

Sort of like photoshop's layer structure in Z mode, with each successive layer's objects and paint(pixols) always infront of the under layer with no Z interaction with the layer below.

I've been trying to experiment with this but have had no success.

All polite suggestions gratefuly recieved.

[aurick]

You're very right: ZBrush handles layers very differently from other programs. Because every layer contains Z information, in addition to the XY information that we see, objects on a top layer can actually end up behind objects on lower layer -- or can even cross over several layers. This makes it really nice when it comes to positioning eyeballs, just to name an example. Draw them on another layer, and then move them forward or back along the Z axis so that they are literally just behind the lids. In this respect, ZBrush is very much like other 3D modeling programs, with the difference that you can't move the camera.

I can think of a couple of work-arounds that may help you out, depending on what it is that you are trying to do. For one thing, you can use the top third of the Picker Palette to set a fixed ZDepth that you want to draw at. This prevents the brush from interacting with other objects already in the scene as it normally would.

Another thing that you can do is make a temporary layer between the one that has your scene so far and the one that you plan to draw on. In this layer, draw a plane that takes up the entire screen, rotate it so that it is has 0 rotation along the X and Y axes, and make sure that it is in front of everything that you've already done. Then you can draw in the 3rd layer and it will default to drawing on top of the plane. When you're done drawing, you can delete that extra layer.

If you need to see through it, you can use one of the Gel Shader materials, set its gel shading value to 0 and increase its transparency to 100. Then in the Render palette, separate the layers. This will make the intermediate layer semi-transparent (although this method will slow down your machine a little as it has to process the calculations for each layer separately.

I'm sure other people here have some more ideas for how to help you. These were just two that popped into head for me right away. Hope they help!

[Neoz]

Umm what the heck did you just say aurick :D
I'm sitting here going huh?????
You really know ZBrush bud gotta hand it to ya. By the way awesome script you did there.

[upham]

Just a quick tip..
You can move layers forward and backwards (towards or away from you) by holding down the tilde key -> "~" (beside the no. 1 key) AND the ALT key and then click'n'drag up or down in the document window. Dragging upwards moves the layer away from you and down brings it closer.

Page 251 ZBrush Manual. :D
Ya owe me a beer!

[aurick]

I'm sorry, miss Floozie. I hate it when that happens. :( Since it's actually a subject that other people might find useful, too, I've created a tutorial (http://www.pixolator.com/zbc-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=1&t=001261) that should allow you to actually see what I mean, rather than having to try and visualize it.

I hope that it helps you out!

[boozy floozie]

aurick thank you very much for taking the time to explain things for me.
I have been so conditioned to working with 2D and 3D software seperately and combining the results,that I've been finding it very difficult to find my feet with Z-Brush.

I am making progress but very slowly.
I really want to get to the stage where I feel in control of the creative process.

aurick
I will endevour to work through the example you kindly posted. :)

upham
I do indeed owe you a beer too,thanks. :)

Yours standing in a darkened corner of ZBrushCentral in full dunce attire.

The Flooze of Booze

[boozy floozie]

Aurick,just a quick note to say what a great Z-script tutorial.It explains exactly what I was trying to get my head around.
Folks if your like me and a bit backward with Z-Brush you should check it out!

The Z-scripts are brilliant,like having your own personal tutor at your side,without the hairy nostrils and sexual advances.

The cheat layer tip is fantastic.
Bravissimo Aurick
Your a star
The Boozie One
:tu:

[Kruzr]

Hey Boozy Floozie . . . :)

Am I reading a bit of "Hairy Nose Discrimination"??? :( :( :(

Now I'm feeling really bad, I've spent way too much money to have my nose hairs braided so I could have the look of "Today's Modern Male". :rolleyes:

I guess I'll just have to cut these 13 inch "Nose Hair Braids" off, & find another way of looking "Really Cool". ;) Heheheh. And it took me almost 3 months to grow them that long.

Actually, I guess it's not that bad, they kept getting in my beer when I'd take a drink. But what I'm really going to miss is: After eating soup for lunch, I could chew on my "Nose Hair Braids" hours later & still get the soup flavoring to hold me over til dinner! :D :D :D

Have a good one & I'm going to check-out Aurick's new "Layer ZScript" now . . . :cool: Mark.

[WingedOne]

(O_o) :rolleyes:

[aurick]

Whew. I'm glad that the script did the trick for you, Boozy. If you work with multiple layers in this way, you'll find it best to be consistent with your increments. In other words, 1000 pixols, 500, 0, -500, -1000, etc. In this way, you'll find it very easy to keep track of them, and also keep them from interacting with one another until you want them too.

[Digits]

I thought it might be useful to the subject of layers to chop out the layer control in my Widgets and make it available
Get it here

layer_control.txt (http://www2.zbrushcentral.com/zbc_uploads/user_file-998581073uxf.txt)

Pretty simple really but will save you a trip to the Layers Palette and you can move more than one direction with one click

Just enter the amount of XYZ offset you desire and press the button. Using the XY offset is very useful for making textures and using recorded strokes.

[WingedOne]

Kruzr: Your nosehair braids post has to rank up there with Digits' post regarding wearing clothes in the shower to save a trip to the laundromat. :) Or Southern's response to someone over in Critical-Depth who said they wanted "to be just like him".

Notice the look of stunned shock I left in the post up above. Took me a while to recover.

Some one should keep an archive of "classic ZBrushCentral" posts like this. :D