Zscript: ZIF edit rev B (December 1st 2003)

[TVeyes]

ZIF edit Rev B

Simply unzip into your Zscripts/Utilities folder and load using Ctrl+Shift+l or your favourite launcher.

Inspired by Digits ZifWidget I have just finished this small Zscript. It was made purely to satisfy my own needs when modeling Zspheres. It's basic function is to give us access to Zsphere settings that are normally hidden/disabled if we only use the Zbrush interface.

*** Description updated December 1st 2003 ***

The three functions it focuses on is to edit the XYZ resolution, Membrane Curvature and Twist Angle of a single Zsphere child/node. This Membrane Curvature is not the same as the Tool Inventory Membrane Curvature which acts on a global basis.

Apart from those three functions it contains a couple of useful shortcuts when modeling a Zsphere tool and it remembers the Draw Size of your brush when switching between the preview mode and the standard Zsphere modeling mode.


Basic usage:

Select a Zsphere child/node using the 'd' key.

Change the XYZ resolution and set the membrane Curvature and/or Twist Angle.

Press 'a' to preview results

Color Zsphere children/nodes for easy reference using '1-5'. Good for remembering ideal rotational Zsphere children/nodes.

You can continue editing XYZ resolution, Membrane Curvature and Twist Angle while in Preview mode as long as a Zsphere child/node is selected. It will simply switch Preview mode off, make the changes and turn Preview mode on again.

If the XYZ resolution of a Zsphere child/node and its neighbours is set to 0, then Membrane Curvature will only have an effect if the selected child/node is connected to at least three Zspheres.

If you apply Membrane Curvature to a Zsphere with a higher or lower XYZ resolution than its neighbours, it will effectively smooth out the resolution difference. i.e it will have an effect even if not connected to at least 3 Zsphere children/nodes.

You can effectively close off, or "cap", the Root Zsphere by changing its XYZ resolution post creation. I.e you do not need an additional Zsphere to "close the hole".

When pressing 'd' while the cursor hovers over a grey linking Zsphere you will get a fractional Zsphere # (Zif #). This might be useful in estimating were to add another Zsphere. Based on experience you might find a certain shape is generated by adding a zsphere at about 8/10 the way between two zspheres. Increasing Tool Modifiers Density increases the accuracy of the displayed Zif #.

When turning on/off deformation axis while in preview mode, the displayed values for XYZ resolution, Membrane Curvature and Twist angle are set to 0. It is only the Displayed values that are changed, your current Zsphere child/node is the same as before. It would require more work to get around this so just try and live with it for now

The Shortcuts:

'd' Selects the Zsphere Child/Node currently under the cursor.

'a' Switches between Zsphere edit mode and Preview edit mode while remembering the Draw Size of the Preview mode. Zsphere Edit mode draw size is fixed at 1.

'c' Decreases the X, Y and Z resolution setting by 1 for the selected Zsphere child/node.

'v' Increases the X, Y and Z resolution setting by 1 for the selected Zsphere child/node.

'i' Inverses the Selection Mask.

'o' Clears the selection Mask.

'p' Masks everything.

'1-5' Selects and colors the Zsphere child/node currently under the cursor. The colors are 1: Red, 2: Green, 3: Blue, 4: Dark Grey, 5: White.

alt+'1-5' Takes the currently selected Zsphere child/node and copies its XYZ resolution, Membrane Curvature and Twist Angle to all Zspheres with the corresponding color. 1: Red, 2: Green, 3: Blue, 4: Dark Grey, 5: White. Using masking also limits which Zsphere children/nodes are copied to.


Thats it. Thanks again to Digits for opening my eyes to the "new" Zsphere editing commands in Zscript I am pretty sure that the first thing I'll do when the next version is released, will be to click Zscript Export Commands

Digits ZifWidget is available here if you crave ultimate control over your Zspheres. The documentation for said program can be found here.

The source code for ZIF Edit rev B.

[Jaycephus]

Nice, clean interface.

[Ctrl-Z]

Wow, this is very nice.

I had, frankly, given up on ever figuring out Digit's ZIF Widget. You've reduced it down to just the functions I need, and made those easy to control and understand.

One question, though:

When I press 'A' to switch to my adaptive ZSphere mesh and use the normal drawing tools to refine the model further, is there a quick and easy way to make the 'S' key go back to resizing my brush? (I can live without the keyboard shortcut until I hit this point, but then I really need it back...)

edit:
issue resolved in Revision B

[Bonecradle]

Thanks TVeyes .

I use Digits zifwidget virtually every time I work with zspheres, but I will download your script for the ability to change the membrane curvature of individual zspheres alone.

I remember asking if this could be done when zspheres first came out - it should prove very useful.

Being able to cap the root might be handy too - does anyone else notice that generally the root zsphere, even when the same size as the other spheres, causes a pinch in the adaptive skin?

[matvara]

Thanks a lot Tveyes. These functions you have
covered in your script are the most needed
when working with zspheres. I will try it out
later on today and I actually looking forward
to gain more control over zspheres and of
course the membrance factor.
Thanks a lot for this great contribution!

[sirquadalot]

Thank you.

[bine]

thank you tveyes!

you´ve made a very helpfull script.

cu bine

[manitu]

big thanks to you!!

[TVeyes]

Thanks for the comments , glad you like it.

Ctrl+Z: I've changed the select node shortcut to 'd'. Silly me, I never gave it a thought since I don't use that shortcut.

Added a couple of more things; Deformation sliders, Zsphere node coloring, Copying the values from 1 Zsphere to others and a lot of tweaking to close certain holes. My code looked beautiful to begin with and now it is a complete mess Btw, if anyone wants the code then just give me a shout.

[Gary Komar]

TVeyes,
i sat and tried your zif edit and i must say
that i have tried to model an adaptive posable model,and until i tried this i couldnt come close.also some funny things
happen when use the model in texture m. nothing bad,actually cool like perspective to certain groups in mesh(when hit perspective and preveiw.and sometimes the models created with your script will only preveiw with your script loaded not a problem,and save many copys as i did and glad too cause changing textures i lost any editing. will try the update for sure cool.

[TVeyes]

Hi Gary, If you downloaded within the last couple of minuttes or so, then download again. I caught and fixed a little bug.

[Northstarr]

hey, thanks! I am sure this will help out with some issues I have been having with zspheres... Cool!
What would we do without folks like you who are able to come up with such helpful additions to ZBrush!

[Gary Komar]

zif edit reloaded ,care to brake down a little whats going on in the script cause
its the coolest thing since sliced

[Svengali]

Hi TV,

Very interesting! But...

I DLed your utility version B... when I load it in ZBrush only the background art seems to be display, no buttons or sliders. I wonder what I might be doing wrong?

I'm more than a little curious how you coded the interface, so if you don't mind could you post the TXT file? I am working on a script of my own that I might try to spiff up before posting and any insights might prove useful. Thanks!

Sven

[TVeyes]

Svengali: First of all make sure you are running Zbrush with a screen resolution of 1024*768 or higher. If your screen resolution is 1024*768 make sure that Zbrush is Maximized. If the above does not work for you, maybe you are using an Apple. If you are using an Apple computer you can collapse either the left or right divider and the Zscript will display properly.

The problem with the buttons not showing has to do with the width of the Zscript window. If that window is not wide enough the background graphic will not fit and is shifted down one line. As a result all the other Zscript items are shifted out of place.

So, if you are using a screen size of at least 1024*768 and Zbrush is maximized then let me know if you are using an Apple computer and I will fix the zscript (or rather, reduce the width of the background graphics).

I'll post the Source code tomorrow.

Gary: I'll post some examples tomorrow. I won't have time today as I just found out today is my 10th year anniversary at work Time to "celebrate" in the traditional legless Scandinavian manner.