In,
The shortcut for making a ZPlug that acts as a “launcher” for existing ZScripts (like Zif Edit for instance) uses the Marcus_civis’ brilliant little utility called ZPlugMaker and the zip files include all the necessary instructions.
ZScripting Resources:
The long answer for making original ZPlugs takes a lot of digging, experimentation and examination of available ZPlug .txt files posted by other ZScripters to see what the accepted techniques are.
Some new ZScripters get it quicker than others depending on what you bring to the table from previous scripting and coding experience.
Start by checking out the ZBrush Command Reference Pages.
Also check out the ZBrush Wiki, Part 6: Zbrush Developer Corner.
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Details on ZScript syntax can be found inside ZBrush, itself, by pressing the Cmd button in the ZScript palette, then scrolling the alphabetized listing in the ZScript window at the bottom of the screen.
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A ZBCentral advanced search using the keywords ZScript Source will turn up dozens of interesting threaded discussions on ZScript topics. Mixed in with these you’ll find more than a few shared .txt files listing source code. Many are worth downloading and studying in detail.
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Remember too that the ZScript generator can show you how each and every button in the ZBrush interface does what it does. Many ZScripters have resolved questions of syntax by simply pressing ZScript>Record, entering a sequence of button presses and mouse clicks, then pressing ZScript>End Rec, and examining the text that was generated.
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ZBrush also helps you debug you code by halting the script and displaying the color-coded syntax text of your script. Many times you can pinpoint the syntax problem by scrolling to the where the listing turns black. Combine that with the error message. (Be aware though, that at times a mistake in bracket pairs will conspire to point to false debug information.)
Other ZScripters stop in regularly (Marcus and TVeyes being the most generous and helpful ones in the bunch) and willingly take time to answer basic scripting questions. Throw up a listing of the problem code and you’ll probably get an answer pretty quick.
Also, TVeyes has posted two “sticky” threads at the start of the ZScript Help forum containing good general scripting suggestions.
Here’s a link to four lessons by Davey, one of the original ZScripters. Originally, the four lessons were posted with artwork, but somehow the original artwork got lost when the format of the ZBCentral forum changed. To get the original lessons AND the illustrations, download the ZIP files found here…
Originally, ZScripting was a massive group effort - check out this list of ZScripts from way back… While they may be old, some going back to ver. 1.23, they offer lots of ideas - some outmoded, but others that are still useful today.
Sven