Masking Question

[thelonious]

Hi there,

I was wondering why it is that sometimes when I hit control to paint a mask that instead of painting, the aplpha channel draws with the reflect draw mode even if I change to freehand it doesn't make any difference.

[WingedOne]

Do you mean with reflect draw mode that it draws symmetrically on both sides? If so, then you need to turn symmetry off in the tool sub-pallette.

Sometimes when I draw a mask I sometimes forget to click on the crosshairs in the transform pallette which causes my mask to be drawn with a drag-rectangle instead of freehand as well. I hope I answered your question clearly.

[thelonious]

Hi Shinzaho,

No, I've enclosed a picture. I don't know why it draws the alpha in this way in a white box. It doesn't make any difference what draw mode I change to. http://www2.zbrushcentral.com/zbc_uploads/user_image-1011028926svp.jpg

[kelly_b_c]

That looks to me like it has something to do with the stroke type that you are using. That looks like the drag rectangle (or something similar) stroke type. In other words, check your stroke type and see if that helps. I am not sure what it should be though, maybe dots.

[el_pix]

ha, i think i got it: it doesnt depend on the *draw* mode, but on the 3d *edit* mode you're in ... painting a mask does only work, while in edit mode, with the draw *tool* active, if you're in *move* mode (don't know about scale and rotate) and press *ctrl*, that alpha-scaling function will kick in. just make sure, that you set your 3d editing funtion to the standard draw pointer.
happened to me accidentally either :)
hope that helps

[s o u t h e r n]

With the `DRAW POINTER` you get the `Painty style` and with the MOVE button you get the `draggy-rectangle-effecty style`

:)

http://www2.zbrushcentral.com/zbc_uploads/user_image-1011030564kgs.jpg


Glen

[el_pix]

hm, ok, next time i'll do some screenshotting too ... but that's what i meant. btw, that *drag-alpha* thing is really useful.

[thelonious]

Thanx a lot Glen and El Pix.

You will not believe how long I have been suffering over this one. I thought I'd give it an honest attempt to solve it before asking for help. Sometimes the obvious is so easily overlooked.

[s o u t h e r n]

and it`s alpha driven....

http://www2.zbrushcentral.com/zbc_uploads/user_image-1011031679wzk.jpg

G

[Stonecutter]

Now THAT is a cool little hint you tucked in there, Glen! :tu: :cool: :D

[WingedOne]

I didn't know that either Southern! :Smacks forehead!: D'OH!

[Silent-bob]

what a great tip!..

makes me want to jump right into the Z and try it... if only i could... damn tests.. :( :(

later

[delphi3]

Help for a new user.

I have read the info on masking in the edit move mode but I seem to be doing something wrong. I draw a 3d object, enter the edit-move mode and I can drag a rec with the desired mask only if I start outside of the object. If I am over the object, no rec. or mask apears, instead, I simply paint a mask with a brush. Am I failing to do something?

Thanks Andre Barclay (Delphi3)

[Frenchy Pilou]

Hi Delphi3
Welcome aboard!
Just press Ctrl when you move over the object = mask an aera !
But with any special form of brush!
As different when you start out of the object : here you can take any alpha brush form :)
You can move on the same time the nonmask area ! With just the red dot over the objet!
And if you take the Option Quick and Pf (Menu Draw) you will have the lines of the structures :)
During all this manipulation Open the Menu Tools/"Selection" for can play with the mask! Inver clear etc...and "Deformation"
After, Inverse the selection for apply any tansformation (=Deformattion)!
Hope this help!
Have happy Zbrushing!
Pilou
ps
Don't hesitate to load the Manual!
The Pdf have a very good arborescence by subjects on the left of the page!
Manual ! (http://pixologic.com/download/documentation.html)

[Svengali]

For anyone who doesn't know...

Another handy option is to selective ERASE parts of existing alphamasks by holding down both Ctrl AND Alt while drawing.

And on a similar handy note... everyone knows Ctrl-Z is used to UNDO a deformation or drawing of alphamasks... BUT, by holding down Ctrl-Shift, each press on Z will UNDO the UNDOs!

Oh yeah, one more thing. If you accidently clear the mask (Selection/Clear), that also is immediately undo-able (Ctrl-Z)... but you must also then press Selection/Viewmask to display the mask again. Just recently I discovered this, after once too often unintentionally clearing the mask during the modeling process.

Sven

[Frenchy Pilou]

Hi Svengali
Super trick ! (the Ctrl+Alt)
We are always discover crazzy tips each days !
Pilou

[Jaycephus]

Another mask technique is to save a mask to alpha. This preserves it while you try other things. Later, you can select the alpha and press ALP in the Selection palette to re-apply it to the object.

This can allow you to work in a non-linear fashion, or to be able to apply the same alpha that you spent so much work on to another object. You can also save it out to PS and edit it there, or within ZBrush on an empty layer.