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Merging Subtools - Losing Divisions?

ZBrush Usage Questions
#1

Hey everyone,

This is my first time posting here - long time fan!

I am new to ZBrush, working on my first project. A while back in my current project I seperated my model’s head and body into subtools, and now I’d like to put them back together for texturing purposes. I have been trying to use the gm770 plugin, and it does combine my subtools into 1 tool - but then all of my division levels get erased and I am only left with the one I was on when I did the merge.

Does anyone understand why this might be happening? Is there a better way to merge my subtools? Ideally I would like to merge them and take my model back into Maya to tweak my UVs a little, and then bring it back into ZBrush without losing my level 6 divisions. Any help would be appreciated.

#2

In order to merge subtools together then need to have the same level of sub divisions. (ie. 1>1, 5>5).

In order to get back the SubD’s you’ll need to have all quads on your model or this method won’t work.

If you have multiple tools with different subD levels, up them all til they are the same. (you said 6, so 6 on all) Then use your plugin to merge them all into one tool. Or clone all of the subtools and merge them one by one.

tool>geometry>divide (6 divisions)
tool>subtool> “select the tool”
tool>clone.
-repeat for each subtool

delete all of the subtools but the base model.

tool>subtool> “select the tool” >delete.

insert the meshes back onto the main mesh.

tool>geometry>insert mesh
(repeat for all cloned subtools)

Recreate all of the divisions.

tool>geometry>reconstruct Subdiv
(repeat for each division you want back.)

there is probably a better way to do this. but it’s the only way I know how. Someone might know a better way. Good luck

#3

That got me closer than I have ever gotten - there is just one problem remaining. There is a noticeable seam between my two pieces after they are merged. Is there a way around this? I read about retopologizing, but would like to avoid that if possible.

Thanks so much for your prompt response - it did help a lot!

#4

Merging subtools will only take you so far. If you want to actually join vertices then you will have to use the re-topology tools.

#5

Dude thanks so much. I didn’t ask for your help but I searched for it. Thanks alot helped me releave some stress and worry about unwrapping 6 seperate OBj’s thanks again!