Draw Size/Focal Shift hotkey plugin for ZB3 - Updated 5/9/07

[marcus_civis]

grab.jpg

This little plugin is for adjusting your Draw Size, Focal Shift and Z Intensity without interrupting your workflow.

Press and hold the hotkey 'S' for Draw size.
Press and hold the hotkey 'O' for Focal Shift.
Press and hold the hotkey 'U' for Z Intensity.

Move cursor sideways to adjust - no need to draw, just move cursor. While adjusting, the cursor updates in realtime and the top left NoteBar also shows the new values - useful for when the cursor is not over the model.

Release the hotkey to continue sculpting/painting.

INSTALLATION

The zip contains:

AdjustDFZsizeZB3_readme.txt
AdjustDFZsizeZB3.zsc - the plugin file


Unzip the zip file to your ZBrush 3... ZStartup\ZPlugs folder.

Restart ZBrush.

If the plugin has been installed correctly you will now have a Marcus Tools subpalette in the ZPlugs palette, with three buttons (but use the hotkeys!).

Note: There is some flicker in the realtime cursor update display. This is a restriction of zscripting and regrettably unavoidable.

[Edit : the old version is included below for those who prefer it.]

Let me know if this is any use.

[stumpf]

Thanks Marcus!

I test it, works great. One thing I would be change. I don't use the focalShift
very often but the drawSize all the time. And in the rush of work the focalShift
changed also if I want only change the draw size. I could renounce on the
focalShift or if it's possible S + Shift for focalShift and S only for drawSize

Cheers

Ralf Stumpf

[tdrs]

Thanks Marcus!

I love your plugins!!:D :tu: :tu: :tu:

[aminuts]

Sweet...Thanks Marcus!!

is it hard to convert.....or do ya have to rewrite em? is the new info public yet...if so do ya have a link to it.

[--E--]

Hey Marcus, this is sweet! thanks for updating it for ZB3.

My only critique would be that it is hard (for me at least) to move the mouse up or down without moving it left or right, so when I try to change focal shift it also changes my draw size...

I am guessing some of the new implications of ZB3 are preventing you from having it like it was before in zb2 where you just hot down a hot key and drag your mouse and then release your mouse?

[marcus_civis]

Thanks Ralf and tdrs! :)


Sweet...Thanks Marcus!!

is it hard to convert.....or do ya have to rewrite em? is the new info public yet...if so do ya have a link to it.

Hello 'nuts, good to see you. :)

This version is completely new. Conversion will depend on what the plugin/zscript does. I think probably before long there'll be a new thread in the zscripting help forum discussing the changes.

Cheers,

[marcus_civis]

Hey Marcus, this is sweet! thanks for updating it for ZB3.

My only critique would be that it is hard (for me at least) to move the mouse up or down without moving it left or right, so when I try to change focal shift it also changes my draw size...

I am guessing some of the new implications of ZB3 are preventing you from having it like it was before in zb2 where you just hot down a hot key and drag your mouse and then release your mouse?

Hello Eric,

If people find the combined movements difficult I can produce a separate hotkey for Focal Shift. I'd read that some people liked this way of doing it so gave it a try.

One of the problems doing it the old way is that now the cursor only shows the Draw Size/Focal Shift while it is over the model, so sometimes it would have been impossible to see the changes. I agree this is perhaps not the best alternative but I thought I'd give it a try.

Cheers,

[bicc39]

suggested shortcut:

Type "Thanks Marcus"

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Working on Mac Version

[feureau]

First of all, WHOA! Awesome script! Thanks a whole bunch for making it.


If people find the combined movements difficult I can produce a separate hotkey for Focal Shift. I'd read that some people liked this way of doing it so gave it a try.
It think if any improvement is to be made to this script is that, it'd be very helpful to have red circle that denotes the draw size and the focal shift to also resize when click dragging it. Z3 does that only if the pointer is on top of the tool and I miss the old way where Z would redraw the red circle no matter where your pointer is.

As to accuracy to moving left and right and up and down, perhaps it'd be better to use some sort of toggle, like press s to go to the default, press s again and it adjusts the brush size, press s again to adjust the focal shift and another goes back to the default behavior. I don't think that much accuracy is needed from Z3 anyway, that is plus or minus 5 brush size or focal shift value don't really matter much, as long as you have the two red circle thing in the size that you want it to.

[adamlewis]

Thank you Marcus this script is fantastic. Is there any chance you could extend the script to the Z Intensity setting?

Also, I agree with others regarding focal shift. It's somewhat hard to change the brush size without at least altering the focal shift a little bit, and in any case I usually prefer to keep the focal shift setting at default.

[Cral]

I like it already.
But I don't use FocalShift that much. More important is for me the strength of the brush.

[troy1617]

i have to agree with that i miss the old way were it always showed the focal shift and size even when the curser was not on the model it helped a lot more when trying to get the right size and focal shift!!

[andreseloy]

San Marcus,.... Thanks!:D
Andreseloy

[marcus_civis]

Thanks guys, :)

I have updated to include Z Intensity and to work with three separate hotkeys. Delete the earlier version if you want to install this instead.

HTH,

[n-drew]

howdy, very cool but like the others said, its a bit hard with focal shift and i´m not sure if its possible, but a visual feedback would be nice, too.

so another "idea" would be cool if you could make a script for wacom intuos3 tablets to adjust the brushsize via the touch strip.
to do that we need two shortcuts at least, one for bigger brushsize and one for smaller.

[mr.BananaS]

Cool,I've been waiting for something like this... Although,is it possible to change "U" hotkey to something different? Doesn't sound very practical to go all the way from "S" to "U" to change the intesnity... Something like "A" or "F" would've been great 'cause "Alt" is also often used so moving your hand isn't very comfortable.

[marcus_civis]

so another "idea" would be cool if you could make a script for wacom intuos3 tablets to adjust the brushsize via the touch strip.
to do that we need two shortcuts at least, one for bigger brushsize and one for smaller.

You can already use the [ and ] keys to change brush size (as in Photoshop) so perhaps you can map those to the touch strip?


...is it possible to change "U" hotkey to something different? Doesn't sound very practical to go all the way from "S" to "U" to change the intesnity... Something like "A" or "F" would've been great 'cause "Alt" is also often used so moving your hand isn't very comfortable.

I've used those hotkeys because they are the default ZBrush 3 ones. I agree they may not be the best but conflicts arise with some of the others (for example 'A' is used for zsphere preview & HD geometry. It is best to wait for the new Hotkey Editor before messing too much with hotkeys.

Cheers,

[stumpf]

Thanks again Marcus,

All works fine now - but I would prefer the "A" key too.

Cheers

Ralf Stumpf

[Cral]

damn you are fast :D
thx marcus :)

[adamlewis]

Well that was quick. Thanks again Marcus.

[mr.BananaS]

Waiting for the hotkey editor then.
Thanks for the script by the way :)

[Polaris30]

Excellent , thank you for that :)

*****+

[testure]

marcus if you keep releasing plugins like this I may develop a mancrush for you. :lol:

[testure]

Yeah, you'll have to wait on the hotkey editor because without it, you don't know if you're breaking default hotkeys. Like for example, several of you want to bind it to the "A" key. How are you planning on enabling HD-Geometry without the default "A" binding (that you can't change anywhere else) :P

[Roland Kaiser]

Hey Marcus,

Many thanks for that first ZBrush 3 pugin, great:tu:

Cheers Roland

[feureau]

Wait... but, isn't that rather, the same as how zb works? I mean, you press S and click drag left and right, only by default you drag on the popup slider, instead of anyhere. (same as in O and U)

I mean, the first version merges the O and S hotkey function but...

[Bingo_Jackson]

Brilliant! Thanks Marcus. The S function goes right on my wacom pen clicker, so keyboard location is not important (to me ).

[Edit] Out of curiosity, is there a key value for z intesnity up/down that could be mapped to intuous 3 touch strips?

[Edit] I see the key values for brush size up/down...are there ones for Z intensity?

[--E--]

Wait... but, isn't that rather, the same as how zb works? I mean, you press S and click drag left and right, only by default you drag on the popup slider, instead of anyhere. (same as in O and U)

I mean, the first version merges the O and S hotkey function but...I agree with feureau...

The way this was implemented for zb2 was much more fluid. But the way it is now really is no different than how zb3 does it by default.

Being able to just hold down a key and then move your mouse back and forth like the way this was in zb2 is really the ideal way to go. (If it is even possible in z3)

[Bingo_Jackson]

I too would prefer the "hold the key down" method, for whatever thats worth. I still appreciate the plug in...its still better than default Z3 in that you can drag anywhere and not on the slider.

[Bingo_Jackson]

Actually, you know what? It doesnt matter...after working with the plugin, I see theres nothing really to be gained by holding down a key other than finger strain. Its just something youre "used to" from other apps, and as a Zbrush user I should know that I shouldnt frame my expectations of a function a specific way simply because I'm "used to" it.

Ive got S on my pen clicker, and I put U and O on the top and bottom of one of my touchstrips respectively. The strip isnt being used for anything else in Z, and now all I have to do is tap either end for drag adjustment. Nothing would be served by holding it down. Simply lifting your pen for a second is no different, and probably better than, holding down a key.

The real payoff here is the drag anywhere aspect. Real time visual feedback on the falloff adj would be nice.

[marcus_civis]

Thanks for the comments. :)


I agree with feureau...

The way this was implemented for zb2 was much more fluid. But the way it is now really is no different than how zb3 does it by default.

Being able to just hold down a key and then move your mouse back and forth like the way this was in zb2 is really the ideal way to go. (If it is even possible in z3)

I can see that some would think this essentially the same as the default ZBrush way, though personally I find the slider fiddly and destracting. This script wasn't mean't to be an improvement on the ZB2 one - I agree that that is more fluid - but this is currently the best way to implement similar functionality. I'm testing a version where you simply move the cursor (rather than clicking and dragging) and it's working ok. Also, if I can find a way for better visual feedback I will implement it.

[danmarell]

wow thanks so much for this.

any chance we could have the 'hold button' option again?

i would like to be able to hold 's' change value just by sliding the mouse (without even clicking) and then let go of 's' when i've made adjustments. other programs call this 'stickey keys'

[CowboyBunny]

My red circular brush icon disappears when I drag my mouse, then reappears at the new size when I click... Is that how it should work? I was expecting a real-time visual representation of my brush size - before I commit... Or am I expecting too much?!

Thanks anyway.

[danmarell]

yeah i would lke realtime brush update too.pretty please.

[Abyssis]

I love U 4 this one:tu::tu::tu:

-cheerZZZ- :D

[rookie-z]

excellent work, Marcus!!!

I've now got my pen button mapped to 's'. It would be great if you could
find a way to emulate Silo's ability to scroll left-to-right for size and
up-and-down for strength...but what you've got here is quite handy all
the same. :)

cheers.

[Bryan Silva]

Wonderful! Now if you could get the "Alt", "RMB" and "MMB" to navigate in zbrush I would be in willing to donate you some cash! :D

[Bryan Silva]

Would it be possible to have the length of the "Draw Size" line that appears when I hit "S" be the exact size of the diameter of the red outer circle? That is of course if you cant just show the red circle growing and shrinking.

[Chrischan]

many thanks for all your efforts marcus!!
it's really great what you do for the community. :)

[Abyssis]

Would it be possible to have the length of the "Draw Size" line that appears when I hit "S" be the exact size of the diameter of the red outer circle? That is of course if you cant just show the red circle growing and shrinking.cool idea :tu:

[marcus_civis]

Thanks for the comments & ideas guys. :)

Adjusting the display to the actual Draw size is probably possible but a nasty bit of coding because the length varies with the window width. However, I have a version working with the cursor displayed (and hold down hotkey action), though it's not as smooth as I would like. I will post it when I've tested it a bit more.

[knower]

I have to agree with other people loving more the Hold-Down method. I think is much more fluid and now as it is this plugin is just like Zbrush 3 one...click / press Key and drag....I think it should more interactive...

So it would be better, in my opinion, to use an hold-down key to set the size and of course have a circle indicating the size....i know is a bit more work...but take your time and put it off !!

we all are waiting for ya !

thank you for your script

knowy

[Abyssis]

Thanks for the comments & ideas guys. :)

Adjusting the display to the actual Draw size is probably possible but a nasty bit of coding because the length varies with the window width. However, I have a version working with the cursor displayed (and hold down hotkey action), though it's not as smooth as I would like. I will post it when I've tested it a bit more.cool m8y, and then I would marri you LOL LOL:cool::tu:

-cheerZZZ-

[marcus_civis]

OK guys, it's updated - see first post. :)

Updates:

*Now hold down hotkey to adjust, release hotkey to continue painting/sculpting.
*Realtime cursor update as well as NoteBar display (actual size for Draw size).
*No need to draw on the canvas while adjusting.

Hope you like it,

[thomasphoenix]

thanks Marcus :)

this update doesnt work on my wacom cintiq 21ux though,the toggle one works.this works on the keyboard.

[mr.BananaS]

Hmmm for some reason "realttime cursor update" doesn't work for me.The cursor just keeps changing from normal one (that cross) to the arrow with Z under it constantly.And I've got to say that I liked the previuos design better,with bigger notebar that fades depending on the amount,and holding mouse button while adjusting works a lot smoother for me.

EDIT:damn,I forgot to backup the previous version. Hey,Marcus,any chance you can put it up here again?

[marcus_civis]

this update doesnt work on my wacom cintiq 21ux though,the toggle one works.this works on the keyboard.

thomasphoenix, I'm afraid I can't test it on a cintiq. Sorry it doesn't work.

mr.BananaS, the cursor will only show when it is over the model, though perhaps this will vary with different displays. :( I've uploaded the old version for you.

[mr.BananaS]

It deson't work whether the cursor is over a model or the canvas.Oh well...
Thanks for the old version ;)

[thomasphoenix]

its the same on intuos3 also.

Nevermind,I love the previous version.Thanks a lot for it!

[--E--]

works like a gem for me Marcus!

This is a huge update for me, basically the same as it was in zb2 with your old script! Perfect! I am now back to full sculpting capability thanks to you! You are God among men :D

[Ovocean]

There is some flicker in the realtime cursor update display. This is a restriction of zscripting and regrettably unavoidable.Is "Key pressed" the only event you can catch ?

Thanks for your work anyway.

Edit : Forgot to say it would be nice to let us customize the shortcuts ! :)
And I would also be interested to see the source of your script, if you're ok to share it. Thanks, whatever you do.

[monkeYB07]

Great. This one really helps to stay in the flow.

One thing: Can I somehow turn off the flickering which appears when pressing and holding "S" ?

I think it has to do something with zbrush repeatedly calling the script when pressing "S"

[monkeYB07]

Never mind. Read your note about flicker.

[marcus_civis]

Never mind. Read your note about flicker.

Yeah, you answered your own question really. If you find it too annoying try the old version.

Ovocean,
The keypress is not 'caught', the hotkey calls the script repeatedly. Unfortunately it's not possible in zscripting to monitor the interface from within a looped action for anything other than a mouse click. That's basically how the 'old version' works. This version calls the script repeatedly.

Customizing the shortcuts will be possible when the Hotkey Editor is released for ZBrush 3, though for this script a modifier key combination (such as SHIFT + S) won't work because they only register once when held down.

[MyPeople]

Thanks for the plug this lets me have a closer feel to how i had mudbox setup. yeah would be nice without the flickering i agree. thanks again marcus!

[Jettatore]

I like the plug-in but there really needs to be a way to show the Brush size even when you're not hovering over the model. I'm trying to use it while working on a leg and it's very awkward to see the brush size and then have it dissapear while resizing...

[marcus_civis]

Thanks for the comments. :)


I like the plug-in but there really needs to be a way to show the Brush size even when you're not hovering over the model. I'm trying to use it while working on a leg and it's very awkward to see the brush size and then have it dissapear while resizing...

The actual Brush size should also appear (as a white line and value) in the NoteBar, top left of the UI. Owing to a display bug in ZB3, sometimes this can disappear if the Menus are all showing. If this is the case for you, try hiding the Menus.

[willog]

Another sweet script from the High Priest of Ancient Scribes :-)

Thanks again Marcus, this is very useful indeed.

[Mr.Ben]

Hi Marcus. Now im just guessing that ZB2 scripts dont work with ZB3. So do you remember this post and could you reproduce one for ZB3?
http://www.zbrushcentral.com/zbc/showthread.php?p=304333#post304333

I tried this script but what i dont like about it is the flickering (the cursor almost turns invisible). Also if the mouse isnt complety still when you press the button, theres a small delay. And the old version doesnt have a realtime cursor update plus you must draw on the canvas.

I like the way the ZB2 one worked, kind of like youve pressed the hotkey to change size AND alredy clicked and held the bar. so you only need to move mouse sideways and then realease button.


Thanks.

[j.c.]

thanks Marcus :)

this update doesnt work on my wacom cintiq 21ux though,the toggle one works.this works on the keyboard.
It works fine for me...

[thomasphoenix]

j.C.can you share your express key setup with me?

[marcus_civis]

Thanks for the comments. :)


I tried this script but what i dont like about it is the flickering (the cursor almost turns invisible). Also if the mouse isnt complety still when you press the button, theres a small delay. And the old version doesnt have a realtime cursor update plus you must draw on the canvas.

I like the way the ZB2 one worked, kind of like youve pressed the hotkey to change size AND alredy clicked and held the bar. so you only need to move mouse sideways and then realease button.


If I could have used the same code for ZB3 then I would have done. I don't like the flicker either - it's due to a display issue with ZBrush, not the code, and seems to affect some people worse than others.

[j.c.]

j.C.can you share your express key setup with me?Hi, thomas...

Sorry, I guess I misunderstood your post. So, the problem you're having is when you assign the hotkeys for this plugin to your Cintiq express keys? I haven't actually tried that yet. To be honest, I find the express keys pretty limiting, so I don't use them very often. I usually use my Belkin Nostromo n52 speedpad when I'm not using my keyboard, but I haven't had a chance to try this script out with my n52 yet.

P.S. Maybe express keys don't support the action of holding down a button...?

[wayniac]

This is almost like sticky keys in XSI!!!! Faaaaaaaaaaaaantastic step in the right direction man. Hopefully this will be integrated throughout app as it is VERY intuitive. The only thing is the flicker is just unbearable for me so going to stick with the older version which doesnt quite have the same flow but hey, you can only do what you can do right!! :( Thanks for making it though Marcus. Keep up the great work man!!!

[marcus_civis]

This is almost like sticky keys in XSI!!!! Faaaaaaaaaaaaantastic step in the right direction man. Hopefully this will be integrated throughout app as it is VERY intuitive. The only thing is the flicker is just unbearable for me so going to stick with the older version which doesnt quite have the same flow but hey, you can only do what you can do right!! :( Thanks for making it though Marcus. Keep up the great work man!!!

Thanks wayniac, :)
The flicker is a ZB3 display issue which seems to affect some worse than others. (If you try the [ and ] key brush size adjustments you'll see how the cursor disappears - this is what causes the problem.) I'm hoping that this issue will be sorted in an update.

Cheers,

[Bryan Silva]

This script seams to be broken with 3.1. I really hope you can get it resolved. Is there anything I can do?

[marcus_civis]

This script seams to be broken with 3.1. I really hope you can get it resolved. Is there anything I can do?

Assign the hotkeys that you want to use with it using the new hotkey options - you'll find the buttons in the ZPlugin:Marcus Tools submenu (be sure to store the hotkeys from the Preferences:Hotkey menu). I think it should work OK then, though the display flicker is still present.

[Antimorph]

Hmm, This gives me an idea about faking a perspective multiplier by linking draw size/intensity with z depth. I wonder if that can be done smoothly (strokes beard).

[PolyHertz]

Sorry to dig up an older thread, but I tried out your plugin Marcus and for the life of me cannot figure out how to remove it now. I deleted the plugin file, uninstalled/reinstalled zbrush, deleted the entire pixologic folder from program files, and still it wont go away. Should I assume it imbeds itself into an in use custome ui's, and if so how would I extract it?

[marcus_civis]

PolyHertz,
Assuming you installed correctly in the ZStartup/ZPlugs folder, deleting the plugin .zsc file is all that is necessary. The plugins don't become a permanent part of ZBrush in any way.

[Kanga]

Hi hi,... super toy thanx Marcus :D
Works for me all over the screen, no flicker and it even has a wee snap at 0!
Great work.
Would be nice to have the hot keys on the left of the board like the 'S'. Will be learning to touch type in the meantime.

Thanx again
Chris