ZScript Plugin: Xform - precision subgroup deformations

[Svengali]

This is a little utility I scripted a while ago that allows easy, yet precise, manipulation of subgroups. Each user will likely discover and develop their own way of using the transforms during modeling and editing.

Two files are available for downloading:

1. An Adobe Acrobat document explaining XFORM.

2. The XFORM.ZIP file which should be unzipped into the Startup\ZPlugs folder. This will install the XformLoader.zsc file and a new Xform folder containing the Xform.zsc file and other necessary files.

Once installed you will find a new Xform button in the ZBrush ZPlugin menu under the Svengali Group. Click to load Xform. The Xform button can be dragged onto the UI.

When launched, click on the Xform logo to popup the Help notes.

Please use this thread for any comments or bug reports. Thanks for trying Xform.

Sven

[andreseloy]

Andreseloy

[50'sKID]

My thanks, Sven, I have needed one of these! 50.

[Marsyas]

This looks really useful--Thanks!

[marcus_civis]

Great work Sven. This will be really useful, especially for precisely placing eyes in heads and so on. I also really like the uniform scaling and the quick way you can switch between group masking. Many thanks.

[Atwooki]

This will be a really useful utility, Sven!

Thanks a bunch for your generosity in making this available

Chris

[bicc39]

Many thanks for you thoughtfullness!!!

[Moochie]

A clever and very practical plug. Thanks!

[cy]

Nice script!

[stekler]

Hi there,
I can't find the plug in in the "zplugin" folder...???
Unzipped it in the zstartup folder but nothing happens? I'm a Mac user...

please help

[Anatom]

Dear Svengali,
Thanks a lot for this wonderful addition to Zbrush2.
It is very easy to tackle and I found out one could also manipulate zballs models.


Turning Zballs into mesh by button "a" one sees the future subgroups and can edit them on the spot.

Of the interface:
I would bery much like the button "u" colored differently, in a way other buttons of the primary
Zbrush 2, when active (all axes) to compare with inactive (one axis). Methinks that would
be handier... Same with colors to mark activity of move, scale or rotate differently: could they
be more intensive...Or the corresponding button brighter...
Another thing:
It would be cool if you might wish to program the plugin capable of repeating the steps
(say, rotating one of the subgroups), by CTRL+1 click, usually workable in common Zbrush 2.

Thanks again,
Anat m

[Svengali]

Thanks everyone for trying XFORM, I appreciate the responses!


Stekler:
You need to unzip XFORM.ZIP into the ZPlugs folder found within the ZStartup folder. If there is no ZPlugs folder within the ZStartup folder, then you must create the ZPlugs folder first, then unzip XFORM.ZIP into your newly created ZPlugs folder.

At startup, ZBrush looks for a ZPlugs folder and if it finds one, it then loads any plugin files stored there (type .zsc).


Anatom:
Thanks for the feedback. In the next update I might try some version of what you suggest. In the meantime, let me say:

ZScripts cannot change the color or intensity of any buttons. However there are several alternative methods to indicate which button has been pressed including disabling the pressed button which makes it grey out, leaving the other two buttons available for pressing. I might do something like that.

In the case of the "u" button, I couldn't very well disable it after being pressed, since it wouldn't toggle anymore.

The current XFORM solution to these problems:

1. The color coding of the background (red=move, green=scale, blue=rotate) is supplemented by the little vertical label that changes between "move", "scale" and "rotate" depending on which button was pressed. I hoped the color and the label would be enough to indicate the selected mode.

2. The "u" button displays a popup prompt each time it is pressed to tell you if uniform scaling is on or off. Also, if you REPRESS the Scale Button after you are already in scaling mode, this forces the popup prompt telling the current state of the "u" button - i.e. if uniform scaling is in effect or not.

As for implementing a Control+Click operation - (if I understand you) - that is a problem since the Control+Click is already used for masking operations.

As for using XFORM to edit a Previewed ZSphere Model? That's an interesting find... Thanks for the tip!

Sven

[stekler]

It works now, thanx!

[cameyo]

Wow!

Hi my friend! How are you?
How many script have you stored in hard disk?

Thanks for the script, but...without source.
I hope the source way will be back...

Please, post the source.


cameyo

[nemac4]

Hey Sven! Looks like a great script. Also let me know how things are going with your Mirage integration.