ZBrushCentral

layers in lightwave to zbrush

ZBrush Usage Questions
#1

Is there a way to bring in layers in lightwave to zbrush as sub-tools, or does it only accepts one layer from lightwave?

#2

As you have to use the .obj format to get the geometry out of LightWave and into ZBrush that’s probably currently not possible. The .obj format can’t handle layers like LightWave does.
What you can do though, is to give each layer a unique part name in LightWave and then merge them into one layer and export that to ZBrush. In ZBrush you can then use the GrpSplit to break each former layer back into its own SubTool.

The day we see GoZ for LightWave SubTools <-> LW Layers should be able to stay in sync though, but until then, the technique above works.

#3

that sounds easy what you suggested, I will try it by naming each layer with a surface and then putting all the layers into one and export them to zbrush, after I finish working on the model, I can export to LW so I can texture or color the parts I named…I hope this is correct what I am saying?

#4

Yes, almost correct. :slight_smile:

The quickest workflow to do this would be the following steps:


  1. For each layer in LightWave’s Modeler, do this Detail Tab -> Parts -> Create Part (assuming you have the standard menu layout). And give it a unique name.
  2. When you have created a part for each layer, go to View Tab -> Layers -> Object Collapse and use the Default Settings to quickly merge all layers into one.
  3. Then export is as an .obj. (Make sure you have General Options -> Obj Tab -> OBJ ZBrush Mode checked if you are on LightWave 9.6).
  4. Import it to ZBrush and run Tool -> SubTool -> Groups Split. And voila, every part defined in LightWave should now be a SubTool.