XGoZ is another “Lite” approach to link Zbrush with Softimage like GoZ. It is not a Single Click workflow but provides Functions to Export - Import Multiple Objs between two applications and automatically set up shading networks in Softimage.
It is inspired by Jester’s GoSoftimageLite! I developed it as an exercise in my attempt to learn Zscript. I used the examples from Marcus Civis, especially that amazing loop “Do all Subtools”. My Softimage version is 7.01 Essentials and I used Jscript.
I tried to eliminate errors… Who knows though… I hope someone is willing to spend some time to test it and give me feedback.
About the Concept:
XGoZ plugin provides Multiple Subtools Function, Texture Map, Displacement Map and Normal Map Set up. The idea is to establish the link through Log Files containing the list of Last Exported Objs from each Application. Every time a user changes Project or creates a new one in Softimage, XGoZFolder is added (if doesn’t exist) at this active Softimage Project. A dat file (in the XGoZFolderData folder) informs XGoZ about the active path. This XGoZFolder is the one that will hold the exported objs, Maps and the Log Files.
I decided to use log files instead of reading all files directly from XGoZFolder because I wanted to deal with last exported objs only, without deleting any other file except overwriting existing files during export. Doing so I can choose the file(s) I want to transfer. In addition XGoZFolder is Project Based and gives me the option to work on a different Project without losing my previous work. At least I think so…Maybe there is a better way…
Installation:
Download the Zip File : XGoZ Plugin.zip.
The XGoZ Plugin folder contains the files XGoZ.xsiaddon and XGoZ_Plugin.zsc along with the XGoZFolderData folder.
1. Copy XGoZ_Plugin.zsc along with the XGoZFolderData folder to the ZBrush 4.0\ZStartup\ZPlugs folder.
2. Drag and Drop XGoZ.xsiaddon on a Softimage viewport.
3. Restart Softimage Go to File -> Preferences -> Custom -> XGozFolderDataSettings and pick your ZBrush 4.0 folder.
4. Find “XGoZ Export” and “XGoZ Import” under Get-> Primitive menu or get the XGoZ toolbar under menu View-> Toolbars->XGoZ.
5. Start ZBrush and find the XGoZ Plugin under Zplugin menu.
Workflow:
Step 1 (Softimage):
Select one or more Polymesh(es) and press “XGoZ Export” to export Selected meshes as Objs to XGoZFolder.
The XSIexportedFiles.Log is created in the XGoZFolder, containing the list of exported Objs.
Step 2 (Zbrush):
Press “Import All XGoZ” Button to Import Last Exported Objs From Softimage.
Zbrush reads XSIexportedFiles.Log and imports all Obj Files. If there are more than one Objs they will be added as Subtools to the first imported Obj.
In case you already have a 3d mesh active as Current Tool, XGoZ will check if a Subtool has the same name as an Obj in the Log and it will update the Subtool. Else Objs will be added as new Subtools at the end of Subtool list.
Press “StoreMTAll” if you want to Store Morph Target for the imported meshes.
XGoZ will set the Subdivision for every Subtool at Level 1 and store MT, only if the Subtool has not a MT stored and it will set the Subdivision back to its prior Level.
Do your Stuff … Create Maps if you want…and…
Press “SwitchMTAll” if you want to Switch Morph Target before export.
XGoZ will set the Subdivision for every Subtool at Level 1 and Switch MT only if the Subtool has a MT stored .It will leave the Subdivision at Level 1.
Step 3 (Zbrush):
Press “Export All XGoZ” Button to Export all Subtools to XGoZFolder.
XGoZ will set the Subdivision for every Subtool at Level 1 and Export all Subtools.The ZBExportedFiles.Log is created in the XGoZFolder, containing the list of exported Objs and their Maps (if they exist).
Or…
Press “Export Visible XGoZ” Button to Export all Visible Subtools to XGoZFolder.
The ZBExportedFiles.Log is created in the XGoZFolder, containing the list of exported Objs and their Maps (if they exist). If your Tool has only one Subtool (it is just a single mesh Tool), XGoZ will ask you if you want to export it. In case you click “Ok Export”, XGoZ will export it ignoring its visibility!
Step 4 (Softimage):
Press “XGoZ Import” Button to Import Last Exported Objs From Zbrush.
XGoZ reads ZBExportedFiles.Log and imports Objs. If there is a mesh in the scene that has the same name as an Obj in the Log, XGoZ deletes the old mesh and its shading network (clears all unused image clips, sources and Materials) and replaces the old mesh with the new one. In addition a new Render Tree is created, ifcorresponding Maps exist and the Shading Network is named based on each obj name. Import Function tries to maintain hierarchy and animation.
Please excuse my English…
Thank you For Your Time,
Kostas