this might be a dumb question, but if I make and save a zbrush tool in the mac version can I load it on the pc version? I’m asking because i’m thinking of purchasing it, but not sure which version to get. Being able to load a tool made on a mac on to a pc would be useful.
The Mac version adds several new features to the ZTL format, which makes the files incompatible with the PC version. You can load a PC ZTL on the Mac, but not the other way around.
What you can do instead is export both the highest and lowest subdivision levels of your model as OBJ’s. In the PC version you would then import both and append the low level to the high level. Next, divide the low level to match the high level, then press Tool>SubTool>ProjectAll to copy the details. You can now delete the original high level version.
That sure is a bummer. I found that out the hard way. Why does the mac version has to add info on the file?
Seems to me that the mac version is always very crummy compared to the PC version…
You’re missing the big picture.
Being able to assign textures to each SubTool is something that has been asked for many times. It makes life really nice, and opens up the door for other features – such as the settings in the Tool>UV Map menu that let you specify a single map size that will apply to all maps from that point forward, rather than having to define your map size before you create every one.
This isn’t a Mac vs. PC thing. In fact, the Mac version is more advanced than the PC version. When ZBrush 4 is released, the PC will get these same features. Which does mean that ZBrush 4 files will not open in ZBrush 3 – regardless of whether it’s PC or Mac.
Quoted for agreement. Version 3.12B on OSX is absolutely fantastic! The new functionalities added since the PC release are great workflow enhancers and I’ll gladly accept the ZTL format incompatibility between the two platforms. Admittedly I say that lightly as I only use ZB on OSX these days. But still… kudos to Pix! 
i understand that there are compatibility issues but you could create some kind of converter, that would strip the tool of any new and unsupported features or give the chance to save in a previous version. But now i cant go from mac to windows even if i dont need any of the new features.
ps: does anybody know if there could some way to do it in code like you can with .ma files for exemple
It’s very easy to get your 3.12 ZTL into 3.1. Here’s how:
- Go to the highest level of your model and export as OBJ
- Go to the lowest level and do the same
- In 3.1, import level 1
- Subdivide to have as many levels as the original
- With it still selected, import the high level. It will replace the non-detailed high level mesh with the detailed one.
wow, thx. that is a great tip and it sure saves some valuable time.
Hi,
I used to run my Zbrush on PC - now I would like to switch to Mac but I have no idea where/how to get my Mac-Version
the ticket I submitted hasn´t been answered yet, maybe someone can tell me what to do?
btw.: assigning different textures to each subtools is a great thing, looking forward to using the mac version so that I can use the new features, especially GoZ
cheers m