ZBrushCentral

Array Mesh Convert to multiple Subtools?

ZBrush Usage Questions
#1

Hi,
I create an array of stones around a RingMaster shank, Position, scale etc all good.

Next I want to manipulate some of the stones or 1 stone alone. Need to select n stones, not all. Read the manual:
Found Make Mesh but this does not allow me to select/manipulate 1 of more stones created as an arraymesh, just all of them.
“Make Mesh converts the Array Mesh into real (non-instanced) geometry. After conversion, the resulting model can be freely edited with any ZBrush sculpting and modeling tools.”
Is there a way to select any combination of the elements of the array and scale/rotate etc. them as a sub arraymesh,e.g. the left half, alternate stones etc?

Many thanks,

J

Make Mesh converts the Array Mesh into real (non-instanced) geometry. After conversion, the resulting model can be freely edited with any ZBrush sculpting and modeling tools."

#2

After Make Mesh go to Tool > Polygroups and click Auto Groups button. This will give each element it’s own polygroup. Use selection brush to select the element you want and to hide the rest. Then do your transformations, then unhide the rest.

#3

Thanks,that’s great, I’ll play with that. How to place the Gizmo in the centre of one of the re selected elements and manipulate all of them like they were again an array. Homing the Gizmo puts in the centre of all of the selection not of an element. I know I am asking for cake and eat it too.

In addition to B,S, (L or R) is there any way to multi select? like a Shift LeftClick on individual elements?

J

#4

To move the Gizmo to wherever you want, unlock it by clicking the lock icon. Then click and drag one of the outer handles to drag the Gizmo to a new location, and click the lock icon

#5

Thank you- Yes moving the Gizmo is not a problem.
Can ZBrush do this already?

I want each of the visible stones selected to move around their own axis as they did in the original arraymesh. Now they move around the centre of a single Gizmo.
In logical programming steps I want a plugin to individually - I’ll pay for it.

  1. Autogroup array mesh elements into independent elemements.
  2. Ghost the rest of the tool and original arraymesh- not blank it. I need to see what I am doing.
  3. Init create new array mesh
  4. Ctrl LMB on any combination of elements, not only those that fit in a rectangle or lassoo
    create array of gizmos snapped to centre of each selected element or Move Gizmo to , e.g. snap to a point on element
  5. Make all but one gizmo visible
  6. Control all elements of new sub array and blanked gizmos with the single gizmo
  7. Move with measured distance between centres/Gizmo location, centre to centre precision.
  8. Wrap array onto curved surface snapping X or Y or Z axis to normals
  9. or Arraymesh with radial symmetry
    10 Arraymesh onto selected points, e.g. snap selected vertices of a hexagon face and each hex has a uniform distance between its edges.

You might be setting 100 diamonds of 1.7mm diameter on a curved surface and they have to have precise spacing. This is for printing. Like 100 1.7 mm stones are placed hexagonally with 1.85 mm between centres. Scale matters. We are trying to ditch CAD apps and avoid importing .objs /stls with all the import, scale and orientation headaches.20180422_153022.jpg

Attachments

20180422_153022.jpg

#6

See if this meets your needs.

Ring Master Plugin Video

Free Ring Master Plugin download

#7

Zber2 -Thanks, RingMaster is where I started in the 1st post, but it is using arraymesh . It is a great help along with arraymesh and inserting an arraymesh on a curve is great too. More practice required.