ZBrushCentral

Masking Crash

ZBrush Usage Questions
#1

Zbrush has been crashing randomly when im using the any sort of mask function. I noticed another user post a similar problem when he was importing an obj into his scene. The model im working on was originally brought in as an obj from maya. It has also had its topology changed via importing a new obj into the scene with the same vert count. Later on down the track topology was also completly changed via projection using the new rigging/skinning tools.

I can get it to crash everytime if i start a fresh scene load the tool, paint a mask and then alt+click wacom to smooth it out. It also does it randomly throughout my zbrush session while im working. Its really frustrating having to save almost every 10 mins to save work loss as its hard to tell when this will happen. Hopefully a fix is on the way…

System Specs:
Vista x86
2 gig ram
Nvidia 8800 with latest drivers as of 20th June 2007.
Wacom Graphire 3 Latest wacom driver dated 24th April 2007

More Details can be provided if needed.

#2

I can get it to crash everytime if i start a fresh scene load the tool, paint a mask and then alt+click wacom to smooth it out.
I assume you mean ctrl+click

This happens to me as well. However it happens only with this one tool I made(with others I don’t get the crash). This tool is a single mesh with no layers and no subtools. I did import it as an obj file, added subdivisions, saved it as a ztl several times. I can make a mask on it, invert the mask-but not SMOOTH the mask using ctrl+click on the model.

I’m using Zbrush 3.1
WinXP
Intel Core2 2.13Ghz, 2gb ram
Geforce7300LE 512mb

Doh…right after I posted i found other threads on the subject:
http://www.zbrushcentral.com/zbc/showthread.php?t=47292&highlight=lone+vertice

Well I’ll see if the model has any stray verts.
Edit: yes the model did have some stray verts…after i got rid of them it didnt’ crash anymore.

#3

I got the same problem, really irritating, just keeps happening when smoothing my mask.

Aldo when i started with the obj/ tool, it worked, but when i did some sculpting it just crashes everytime when i want to smooth my mask.

And the model has no complications or what so ever., hope this will be fixed soon, caus now i cant rely on my tools or anything really.

#5

I get a crash on some models seemingly randomly but reliably when I try to cavity mask em. I’ve tried exporting out the top and bottom levels and reforming it but the crash keeps happening.

It seems random as it only happens occasionally on some models (about 1 in 15? at a guess) but once it starts - happens always.

Anyone had this/know a fix?

#6

Same thing here: Zbrush crashes when hitting Mask by Cavity. Seems to be random, but I think it has only happened at high subdivision levels. Bummer.

#7

Please follow this forum’s guidelines when posting any troubleshooting inquiry. With each troubleshooting post, please include your full system specs and any other pertinent information which will allow us to determine if this is one of the following: a) user error? b) Misunderstanding of a specific feature, such as its usage and limitations? c) An item which has already been resolved. d) An item which needs to be resolved.

IMPORTANT: Before posting a troubleshooting item, make sure that:

  1. You are using the latest ZBrush version.
  2. You have a ‘clean’ ZBrush install. i.e. remove any items which you have added (such as older ZScripts and other startup items) which may result in unexpected - and difficult to resolve - problems.
  3. You did not increase the PreferencesMax polygon count or Compact Mem to a level which can not be supported by your system specs.

Any threads that do not follow these guidelines will be closed. Thank you for your cooperation.

Also, in the case of an error where one specific mesh is creating the problem for you, it would help if you could provide that mesh. :slight_smile:

#8

clean install
Zbrush 3.1
windows xp sp2 32 bit.
inspiron 9300 notebook cpu 2,8gighz 2048 ddr2 ram
nvidia 6800 go 256 mb

i have a low base model, all quads, under 1000 polys.

with 1 subdiv, and than masking, and smooth the mask, causes zbrush to just crash/ shut down instantly.

#9

I’d like to join the Crashing When Masking fan club as well. I’m on ZBrush version 3.1, Windows XP 32 Bit, NVidia 6800 Ultra 256mb video card, 4GB RAM w/3GB switch, Dual AMD 248, Tyan MoBo, 10kRPM Raptor Drive. I have the Alpha Library, Texture Library, Quick Help and Quick Save plug ins installed.

This is my second model in ZBrush 3.1. and it has happened on both models. It didn’t seem to happen for the first few days of working on either model, but after a while it just kind of started happening regularly when using the regualr masking option. My first model got up to 9mil polys at SubD 7, but I spent most of my time working on SubD 6 and lower. Towards the end of working on the first model, ZBrush became extremely unstable. My current model is 97k at SubD 4. The first few days of sculpting went fine, but now the crashes are starting. Props to Svengali for his quick save plug in.

Is there a way to “clear the history” or “clean the scene” so to speak of a model. For example, when I’m working on a hi res model in 3D Studio max for quite some time, it can get a little unstable. If clearing the history and resetting the transforms doesn’t fix the situation, I’ll save the selected model by itself and then open it in a new empty scene, it leaves alot of the excess garbage data that has accumulated in the original scene behind and tends to be a more stable scene again. Is there any way to possibly do something like this in ZBrush?

#10

Has anybody solved this problem or have any info on why this is happening.

My zbrush also crashes wen i blur my mask. I need to solve this problem in order to pose my model

thanks

#11

Please see my previous statement regarding posting on this issue. Without that information, it becomes difficult or impossible to assist.

It would also greatly help if you could provide a step-by-step for duplicating the issue. If it’s happening with a specific model, we’d need a copy of that as well so that we can test.

#12

ZBrush 3.1 (clean install) Windows XP64, X5355 2.66ghz quad processor , 8GB RAM, Nvidia Quadro FX 4600. And also a member of the crashing while masking club. And it is difficult to give a step-by-step replay of when this issue occurs, because its random! I mask, it crashes, sometimes. Eventually, it always does. This happens when either painting a mask directly or using the lasso to create an exact mask. This occurs on imported models with or without UVs. Polygon count anywhere from 10k to 3 million. And yes its very annoying and makes the tool almost useless if it crashes everytime you need to mask something, which is well, pretty often!

#13

My last couple models that I’ve worked on have been around the 1 million poly mark, as opposed to the 6 - 9 million that I was having difficulty with before, and things seem pretty good. Not as many problems. I’m really trying to get the most out of my model at the least amount of res I can get away with. I know in 3D max, the higher res my models are and the longer I work on those hi res models, the more buggy they become. I’m guessing it may be something similiar to that in ZBrush? Perhaps now that I’m a bit more experienced with ZBrush, I’m working a bit more effeciently which may be limiting the accumulation of funky data that can be troublesome? I dunno. Perhaps the next time I go up to the 6 - 9 million poly range I might have a better idea if this may be true or not…

#14

I was having the same problem and seemed to come up with a work around that worked for me. I just made the entire model visible and then went to the masking sub menu under the tool palette and hit clear to clear after that it seemed to fix the problem. I was then able to draw masks and soften them without any problems. Hope it helps.:slight_smile: