MagicMarker - an undocumented tool...

[Pixolator]

Hi :),
What is a MagicMarker tool?
MagicMarker is a tool that can manipulate (move,rotate and scale) a group of 3D objects. This tool exists in version 1.13 but, by default, it is hidden because it has not yet been completed.
This tool can be very useful even in this early stage of its development.

What can be done with the MagicMarker tool ?
You can create an object that is composed of several 3D objects and use the MagicMarker tool to move, scale and rotate all the objects as one group.

Here is how this can be used in version 1.13…
First, we need to get the MagicMarker tool to be visible, in order to do so, you would need to start ZBrush and immediately press the SHIFT key and keep holding it until you see the ZBrush startup dialog.
If you have done this correctly, you would be able to open the Tool pull-down palette and find the MagicMarker tool (it is the tool following the Sphereinder3D tool, and before the BlurBrush. Currently it is utilizing the same icon as the SingleLayerBrush )
If you do find this tool then we are ready to go to the next step, if you don’t see the tool, then you would need to restart ZBrush and try again (not forgetting to hold the SHIFT key ;) )

Let’s draw few 3D objects and create a group…

Select the Plane3D tool. Select Txtr03. Draw a plane in the center of your canvas (similar to the image below). Press ‘m’ key in order to place a Marker.
http://www2.zbrushcentral.com/zbc_uploads0/user_image-987937911wqt.jpg
Select the Sphere3D tool. Select Red color. Draw a Sphere in your canvas (similar to the image below). Press ‘m’ key in order to add a Marker.
http://www2.zbrushcentral.com/zbc_uploads0/user_image-987937964qhf.jpg
Select the Ring3D tool. Select Green color. Draw a ring in your canvas (similar to the image below). Press ‘m’ key in order to add a Marker.
http://www2.zbrushcentral.com/zbc_uploads0/user_image-987937997nho.jpg
Select the PolyMesh3D tool (Star tool). Select yellow color. Draw a star in your canvas (similar to the image below). Press ‘m’ key in order to add a Marker.
http://www2.zbrushcentral.com/zbc_uploads0/user_image-987938025gdd.jpg
Select the Cone3D tool. Select purple color. Draw a cone in your canvas (similar to the image below). Press ‘m’ key in order to add a Marker.
http://www2.zbrushcentral.com/zbc_uploads0/user_image-987938064kll.jpg

Now we have drawn five 3D objects and placed five markers. The markers have been placed because the MagicMarker tool uses these marker in order to determine which objects belong to the group and the relative position, size and orientation as well as the color, draw mode, texture and material that is associated with each object.

Before we use the MagicMarker tool, we need to check that the marker modifiers are set properly. To do so, you need to open the MARKER:MODIFIERS sub palette and verify that all options (SHOW,DRAW,POSITION,NORMAL,COLOR,MATERIAL,TEXTURE) are pressed and TOOL is Unpressed.



Now you may clear the canvas (by pressing ctrl+n keys). Select the MagicMarker tool and use it to draw in the canvas. If the previous steps have been done properly, then you should see that the MagicMarker draws all 5 objects in the canvas, each one with the proper color or texture.

By entering a any of the TRANSFORM modes you will be able to manipulate all five objects as a group. Use the TRANSFORM:MOVE mode in order to reposition the group, TRANFORM:SCALE mode in order to resize the group and TRANFORM:ROTATE mode in order to rotate the group. Here is an example of transformed groups…
http://www2.zbrushcentral.com/zbc_uploads0/user_image-987938134ufv.jpg

One more thing that you may want to do is to reposition individual objects within the group. By entering TRANSFORM:EDIT mode you will be able to click on an object and move it another location. By clicking outside the group you can rotate the group and further adjust position of individual object. Such as the example below…
http://www2.zbrushcentral.com/zbc_uploads0/user_image-987938175eln.jpg

Note: The edit:rotate and edit:scale have not been implemented (still in alpha stage).

By turning on/off some of the options in the MARKER:MODIFIERS submenu, you can control whether the MagicMarker will utilize the specified property which is associated with each object. For example, if we turn off the COLOR option, then the color that is associated with each object will be ignored and the currently selected color will be used for all the objects. The example below shows the same group with the COLOR option turned off…
http://www2.zbrushcentral.com/zbc_uploads0/user_image-987938218qss.jpg

By turning off the MATERIAL option, all the objects will be drawn with the currently selected material. The example below shows the same group with the MATERIAL option turned off and Bumpy Metal material selected…
http://www2.zbrushcentral.com/zbc_uploads0/user_image-987938285nxb.jpg


There are many uses to the MagicMarker tool (such as grouping humen head object with 2 eyes objects) and you can even use it with ZCut mode that will allow one object of the group to ‘cut’ into the other objects (Boolean operation).

If you do experiment with the MagicMarker tool, please post your findings (and/or an image) in here.
http://www2.zbrushcentral.com/zbc_uploads0/user_image-987937852mpn.gif

I hope that you’ll find this info helpful,
-Pixolator

Note: The animated image above was created by utilizing the ZSpin ZScript. The ZSpin ZScript can create a Z-Axis spin animation simply by selecting the start angle, end angle and the number of frames desired and it will automatically render and export all the in-between frames. This is one of the scripts that will be included with version 1.23

[ed_the_atom]

Thanks Pixolator....
fascinating info......

[Nikko]

Thank you VERY much, Pixolator! :cool:

[rhom]

Merry Christmas to you also Pixolator!

[WingedOne]

I tried following the instructions, but I still can't get the Magic Marker Tool to activate. What could I be doing wrong?

I'm using ZBrush 1.13 full version BTW.

[Pixolator]

Hi Shinzaho,

I have re-checked version 1.13, both on the PC and MAC and by holding the shift key, I was able to properly activate the MagicMarkers tool.
Try holding the left-shift key immediately after launching ZBrush (or if possible, try holding the shift key even before launching ZBrush)
Count the number of tools that are in the TOOL popup window, including the MagicMarkers tool, there should be 35 tools.
The MagicMarkers tool should be in the 3rd row (from the top) and the 2nd column (from the right).

-Pixolator

[Kruzr]

'Morning Pixolator.....I followed your instructions exactly, several times, but with no success??? What I did notice is that when starting ZBrush in this manner, when you open the "Tools" palette the "Simple Brush" & the "PolyMesh 3D" tool (visible icons) have disappeared. The choice is still there, but the two boxes are empty. There are only 34 "Tool Icons" listed. :confused: Z'ya later..... :cool: Mark.

PS: ( Maybe this is due to the fact that I've never recieved a permanent "Serial Number )??? I'm still using the Temporary one & clicking "Cancel" when starting ZBrush.


UPDATE!!! Hi Pixolator.....After installing my Permanent Serial Number, all of my Tool Icons now appear in the list. The list consists of 34 Tool Icons (choices) with no Magic Marker listed..... :cool: Mark.

[WingedOne]

Still can't get it to work. :confused:

[Pixolator]

That is a mystery. I have re-checked with a ‘fresh’ install of 1.13 and it worked fine. Even tough this feature has not yet gone thru beta-testing (still in alpha stage) it should have worked. I will investigate further. Meanwhile, if any other member has tried and was successful in activating this tool, please let me know.
-Pixolator

[brn]

I couldn't get the tool to appear either.

[Kruzr]

:) Hi BRN.....I don't think so being I just installed my new serial # & it had no effect on finding the "MagicMarker" Tool in my copy of ZBrush. Have Z good one..... :cool: Mark.

[A l m a r K]

Amazing stuff!

[rhom]

I am using 1.13-no matter when I press the
shift key-before,during or after dbl.clicking
the ZBrush icon I have been unable to get the new tool to show up.I am holding it until the ZBrush dialogue starts-I've tried
several times-in fact so many times the computer started doing something strange so I
quit and ran screaming into the surrounding woods ...from my vantage point here in the dense undergrowth I can see that one of my neighbors must have heard the screams and called the sheriff....they have my house surrounded and look like they are about to
start searching the woods...I'd better go now. :p
Seriously though I can't get the darn thing to show up.However Nikko says he got it to
show up no problem go figure.

[Nikko]

Yep, it worked right away for me. Thanks, Pixolator! http://www2.zbrushcentral.com/zbc_uploads0/user_image-987975346hgz.jpg

These are just a few "alien-type" tools I made and had laying around in my Z-bin. Pix's tutorial worked just like he said it would. . I put markers as I did each one, cleared the screen, set the marker properties like he said to, and sure
enough, there everything was again, movable and rotatable just like in the
tut. I'm not quite sure what to do with the feature yet, but it will come in handy sooner or later.

[Kruzr]

Hi Rhom.....Maybe Pixologic uploaded a more recent version of 1.13 before Nikko downloaded his copy?? :confused: I know nothing I've tried has "Brought Forth" the mysterious "MagicMarker" Tool. Hahaha Z'ya later & have Z good one..... :cool: Mark.

Next time you venture out into the darkest areas of the "Wooded Zone" take a ball of yarn with you, then unwind it as you go along, so you can find your way back. I do it all the time so I can find my way back home from the bar at night, when I go out to play in the Pool tournaments. Hehehe!!!

[upham]

http://www2.zbrushcentral.com/zbc_uploads0/user_image-987977587xgm.jpg

Worked fine for me Pix! Thanks for the info!
I had to look twice as it looks like the Single Layer Brush. I held the Left shift down right through the boot up process, even when the Intro popup appears and hit Enter.

I'll get onto this tool. It looks cool. (I could of used it a dozen times already!)
Upham

[Kaz]

Just tried it myself with no luck. I have the NFR if that makes any difference...

[ed_the_atom]

Not working for me either.

In fact some rather strange events began happening....
1....bits of the floating menu disappeared until mouse passed over them.
2. After each try with the shift key I would progress to having more and more Zbrush programmes opening........got to a total of 6 opening and opened at once on my fifth try....system started slowing down. Some had no entry enter here window....some if I pressed enter opened another Zbrush prog window....and some just loaded a minimised Zbrush prog into the task bar.
3....Pressing the enter key to enter the prog. normally doesn't work....I always have to use the mouse to get in.
4......opened all my desktop progs...when I tried it on the shortcut item, and every file in my zbrush directory that was capable of loading.

Loaded Zbrush on another computer....first attempt to follow procedure led to Zbrush trying to open every programme on my hard disk.
No joy on other computer either........but I now have the best file opening programme on the planet......faster than a speeding bullet.....everything until resources are used up. Probably market it as a movie....amazing to watch....although didn't show on majority of occasions tried....Hard disk still puffin'. I'm mesmerized into a coma, and there's a million insects a visitin' now.

I did notice that the ZBrush.exe file ...on right click/version told me version 1.0.0.1...yet on the open programme ZBrush version is 1.13. Is that normal? File size is
5792kb.


This isn't Kansas is it Toto? :D

[Pixolator]

Looks like it is working on some systems but not on others :( . We will continue to look into this yet 'unsolved mystery' but in any case, the next release will have a modified activation method, which would allow every one to activate this tool.
Thank you all for trying :)
-Pixolator

A Request... If you have tried to use this feature and was unable to get it to work, please send me a message specifying the system that you are using. All that is needed is whether it is a PC or MAC system and the operating system version number (such as Win98, win2000, WinNT , System9.0....).
Thanks :)

[upham]

Hey Pixelator. This Magic markers is excellent! I love it! I wish I had it sooner!
Just a wee question. ZBrush seems to have a bug with regards to Zcut/Zsub. Here is a picture that illustrates my problems...
http://www2.zbrushcentral.com/zbc_uploads0/user_image-988012071ffy.jpg

The top cube doesnt really boolean/cut out of the bottom one. This is without Magic markers running, though I still get the same result with it.

I'm just wondering if some people are using ZBrush version 1.12 and not Version 1.13?
Upham

[rhom]

Pixolator-PC running Windows ME.Gurgler is
describing the exact same thing that happened
to me-my puter tried to open everything on the hard drive.I kept getting the message you do not have permission to access.I had to reboot.

[Pixolator]

Gurgler: The PC executable size should be exactly 5,931,008 bytes in size. After reading rhom's latest post I am wandering whether you are using Windows ME or not?

upham: I am glad you were able to use the tool :)
As for the ZCut/ZSub question… since the ZCut is performing the action in the canvas (and not in 3D space) the ZCut cannot properly cut into the backside (invisible side) of an object because this information is not stored in the canvas. A proper Boolean operation would need to consider the full object (front and back) in order for it to be done properly, and this is one of the features that will be added to the MagicMarker tool (which is one of the reason that this tool is still in alpha development stage). As time progresses, more features would be added which would allow more functionality with regards to grouping of 3D objects and Boolean operation, it is only question of time, and "good things come to those who wait" ;)

Rhom: Thanks for the info :)

[ed_the_atom]

I tried both win me and win 98......same problems on both.....98 worse....98 ZBrush even loads behind explorer window on occasion.....when it should default to the foreground.
It all seems to open a new world of possibilities.

[WingedOne]

If it's any help to solve this mystery why it will work for some and won't for others here's the specs on my system.

Win98
128 Megs of Ram
750 MHz Athlon Processor
Riva TNT2 M64 Video Card
Creative-Ensoniq Audio PCI Soundcard
60 gig Maxtor harddrive

[Nikko]

Well, since my system has been getting the Magic marker tool, I'm running a 450 Pentium II, a Matrox Millennium G2 video card, 512 megs of P133 ram, and Windows 2000. ALL my programs are running better since I got Win2K(and the ram).

[Digits]

Doesn't work for me I am running
WinMe
866 pentium III
128 meg
Geoforce 64meg

The file size for zbrush.exe
5,914624 bytes
In the properties dialog version tab it says
File version 1.0.0.1
File Version Description 1.0

Zbrush itself reports version 1.13

[Kruzr]

:) 'Morning Pixolator.....Upon right-clicking the ZBrush.exe icon & viewing properties, I get - ( ver. 1. / 5,931,008 bytes ). Have Z good one..... :cool: Mark.

[CDEdwards]

Cool! I love undocumented features... When I can use them that is. ;) I will definitely have to check this out. :)

[Adman]

Pixolator,

Thanks for the info! This will be very useful. I've tried it step-by-step. Everything worked great. Tested on a PowerMac 450mhz G4 running OS 9.0.4,

Adman

[upham]

My system is similar to Nikko's. Pentium II, 330mhz, Windows NT.
Windows NT and Windows 2000 seem to be the winner here.??

[Vel]

Hi all

To join the club here my dule boot system
win98SE/win2k

win98SE dosent work.
Win2k dose work thow it shows up in the floating tool menu and not the primary tool menu.

hope this help :)

[juandel]

http://www.cyber-webs.com/zbrush/beeskl1.gif
hi, ZBs! :D
this one was done using the fantastic magic marker tool (with MACOS 8.6 it is accessible following pixolators instruction without problems) for movements of eyes/bees. it consists of about 50 frames, all best rendered/exported to photoshop and compiled in imageready. this was some work but a lot of fun, too. in fact it is my 2nd try on animation. (1st one was a 5frame test).
i did two more consisting of more then 200 frames (nothing special: polymeshobject rotating, floating; if you are interested, digits is hosting them for some time here http://www.cyber-webs.com/zbrush/star.gif and http://www.cyber-webs.com/zbrush/starflakesmooth.gif respectively) using Zmovie recording, exporting into photoshop, getting rid of the background and converting into transparent background gifs by using photoshop-actions in automatisation mode - all for the first time. so i have some questions: i did not manage to get the gifs named properly... on importing the gif-files into imageready, the gifs 1 up to 99 get into the wrong places due to their names. is there a way that they get titled 001.gif to 099.gif all by photoshop 5.5 itself? i had to do it by hand... same as for closing about 400 minipics on my photoshop desktop by hand, as i could not get save as into actions without overwriting no title1.gif all the time... :confused: any animating advice, ZBs?
TIA
- juandel

[Digits]

Wow, simply amazzzing Juandel. The bee sting is my favorite. What alot of work! I am hoping that Zscripts will make this kinda of work alot easier.

As for your naming problem, not much help as I haven't played with gifs too much. But I remember having a demo of PaintShop Pro and it would allow you to select all the images and it would rename them for you in sequence.
Robo might have an answer for you perhaps?