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appended cylinder makes my other subtools disappear when I try to merge down

ZBrush Usage Questions
#1

Hello,

I’m trying to use a cylinder to subract itself from my other subtool but I think something is wrong.

I know the basic steps and the need for your 1rst subtool to be dynameshed, but the appended cylinder never turns white when I hit the "group as dynamesh subtract) under the polygroup menu that you should do before merging down.

I saved the cylinder before making polymesh 3d, and if i try to hit "make polymesh 3d for the cylinder, it makes my other subtools disappear.

What do you thing is wrong, please anyone.

Thank you.

#2

Try this way:

  1. Make sure top subtool is dynameshed.
  2. Append a cylinder. (It is automatically changed into a polymesh.)
  3. Position and scale the cylinder how you want, then turn on its icon for Subtraction (the one in the middle of the three boolean icons in the subtool list).
  4. Select the top subtool and press Merge Down.

(There’s no need to press “Make PolyMesh3D” for a primitive that has been appended. Doing so creates a new tool in the Tool palette which is then the selected tool. That’s why your subtools seem to disappear - but they are still in the Tool palette. Look for the little number in the icon that shows there’s more than one subtool.)

#3

As always, I really appreciate your time and answers, Marcus.
I’ll try this when I get home later today.

Do you believe there is a chance that because I imported my main subtool (not the subtraction one), that there is some kind of mask on it I have to clear before merging down?

Thanks,

Rick

#4

I’m not sure, Rick, but I find the method I’ve outlined more reliable.

#5

Problem solved. I had been doing everything right all along but simply forgot that after you press “merge down”, you have to control-drag in order to complete the subtraction.

Sorry but this is a good lesson for other beginners. You naturally think that when you press merge down that something is to happen but actually, I have to re-dynamesh to make something “really” happen.

My mistake. Thanks for the help!