Question For Pixolator or Someone Who Knows . . .

[Kruzr]

'Afternoon all . . . :)

I have a question about using the "Smudge Tool", with the "Picker" settings? :confused:

I'm attempting to use the "Smudge Tool" to create folds on an object, to give the appearance of some type of a Cloth material. ( As suggested in Pixolator's "Z-Witch" image Post. ) It seems that I'm not understanding everything about the "Picker" settings, or I wouldn't have to ask this question. Heheheh. I seem to be running up against the problem of, when using the "Smudge Tool" + ZAdd to sculpt the object, I'm getting a "Front Flat" area, ( example in image below ), that I can't get rid of? I start working on the object & everything seems to work fine, until I get to a "Z Front" depth setting & everything flattens out at that particular depth. I believe I've tried every setting in the "Picker" pallette, but nothing has changed the front flat ZDepth limitation area? I'm sure I've overlooked something simple, but for the life of me, I can't figure it out? :(

If Pixolator or someone who has the knowledge to correct this error, on my part, would you please post what I'm missing so I can continue to practice my Cloth sculpting? :rolleyes:

Thanks in advance for any help or comments & have a good one . . . :cool: Mark.


http://www2.zbrushcentral.com/zbc_uploads/user_image-1004477869sug.jpg

[Pixolator]

Hi Kruzr :)
The key to understanding the smudge tool is to understand how ZBrush handles the depth of Pixols that are being ‘smudged’.

These are the key options that determine the behavior of the Smudge Brush…
:b3: Is Imbed value (DRAW ::IMBED) positive? Is it negative? Or is it zero?
:b3: Is DRAW ::CHANNELS ::INFRONT pressed? is DRAW ::CHANNELS ::BEHIND pressed ?

The default settings for the Smudge Tool are… IMBED=0, INFRONT and BEHIND un-pressed.
:b3: IMBED 0: ZBrush will not change the depth of the smudged Pixols
:b3: INFRONT and BEHIND un-pressed: Depth-masking will not take place. Every smudge Pixol can overwrite existing Pixols regardless if they are in front-of or behind the existing Pixols.

This default setup allows you to freely smudge Pixols left/right/up/down while leaving the depth of smudged Pixols as-is (not getting closer to you, neither getting further away from you).

If you want the smudge tool to also change depth of Pixols, you need to set a an IMBED value other than zero. (Negative IMBED such as -.05 will ‘pull’ smudged Pixols closer to you while .05 will ‘push’ smudged Pixols away from you.)

Here is an example…
:b3: Select a mid gray color
:b3: Press LAYER ::MODIFIERS ::FILL in order to have a smudging surface.
:b3: Select the default Smudge Brush and modify its imbed value to -.05
Smudge away on the canvas and you’ll notice that while your are smudging Pixols left/right/up/down, you are also pulling Pixols closer to you. This simple setup allows you to create intricate design by simply smudging depth with various alphas. Pressing the ALT key while smudging will cause Pixols to be ‘pushed’ away from you. (if you do this long enough, some Pixols will get further than the back clipping plane and they will ‘disappear’ )
Try smudging with different settings and analyze how the behavior of the smudge tool is impacted by these settings.

:: :: ::Smudge Tip: Pressing the CONTROL key while ‘smudging’ will temporarily modify to behavior of the Smudge tool to resemble a SimpleBrush which allows you to paint and smudge without having to switch tools.

Hope this helps :)
-Pixolator

P.S. Smudge tool with default settings was utilized in defining the shape of the dress in this image (http://www.pixolator.com/zbc-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=1&t=002155).

[Kathy]

I love it when a great experiment turns to a great question that leads to an excellent answer!

Us armchair lurkers learn without actually doing. :D :D

Thank you gentlemen. I didn't know any of that until now. :tu:

[DeeVee]

I have tried doing cloth on several of my postings, and I did not know any of what I just learnt. If I did, maybe my attempts would not have turned out the way they did. Thanks Pix, you are indeed the Guru.

[Kruzr]

'Evening Pixolator . . . :)

Thank you very much for your incredibly detailed answer to my question. I'm printing it out right now. ;)

As soon as I'm finished with dinner, I'll get right on it & do your suggested tutorial. I appreciate your taking the time to explain everything in such depth. :tu:

Have a good one . . . :cool: Mark.

[Muvlo]

Ah. Thanks Pixolator! :) (There's always more in ZBrush...)