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Micromesh question - Please advise.

ZBrush Usage Questions
#1

Hello -

Was practicing Micromesh - I noticed when I click the big button to turn it on, It asks me to choose a 3D mesh.

I choose a sphere for demonstration purposes…Ok, no prob.

Then test render.

However, when I do, the finished result is many tiny spheres. I want bigger and fewer pieces that make up my end result.

I was wondering if it is possible to increase the size of the “instanced 3D mesh” that make up the Micromesh pattern…?

So instead of may tiny spheres, I want fewer spheres and bigger that make up the end result…Is this possible? Please advise. Thanks.

#2

Less polys would be less instances. http://docs.pixologic.com/user-guide/3d-modeling/micromesh/

#3

The density of the polygons will control the density of the micromesh.

As for the size of the instanced mesh, first use the Tool: Preview Window and the size deforms to scale the pattern to your liking.

#4

Hey thanks guys/gals.

I have one more question. :cool:

Is there a way to scale in the preview window? Already tried using the scale tool - didn’t work. And I tried the traditional navigation gestures/key combination(s) like hold ALT and click and begin to move then let off alt to scale - That didn’t work either.

So, how do I scale the Micromesh?

#5

http://docs.pixologic.com/reference-guide/transform/ Then read some more. http://docs.pixologic.com/?s=Scale
Lots to read. Many things to learn and master :wink:

#6

Thanks for the post. However, I’m not clear on your answer. Maybe you can enlighten me a bit? :sunglasses:

I read through the links to the documentation. I don’t need help with the transform tools per say…Rather, i need to know how to scale my micromesh. Can I scale the micromesh by using the preview window? If not, how do I scale the micromesh before using the “Convert BPR to GEO” button?

I was thinking I could use the MOVE brush to move individual parts, yet that could become very tedious for a mesh that has extensive detail, etc. :-1:

I uploaded a image - it shows my issue. The red circled part in the image is where things become non-uniform the most. I’m trying to keep everything in 1-1-1 uniform scale. Maybe there is not way to do this? Please advise. Thanks again! :D:+1:

Attachments

imgMicromesh.jpg

#7

I read through the links to the documentation. I don’t need help with the transform tools per say…Rather, i need to know how to scale my micromesh. Can I scale the micromesh by using the preview window? If not, how do I scale the micromesh before using the “Convert BPR to GEO” button?

Use the Size deformer to scale the mesh, prior to applying it as a micromesh.

Basically, oicture the preview window’s square display as being a square polygon. The preview of the tool will show the relation of the micromesh object in relation to that polygon.

I uploaded a image - it shows my issue. The red circled part in the image is where things become non-uniform the most. I’m trying to keep everything in 1-1-1 uniform scale. Maybe there is not way to do this

This is due to your polygons not being squared on the basemesh. The micromesh object is ultimately going to try and fit within the shape of the polygon that it is replacing, for each and every polygon. If that polygon is a long rectangle and not a nice square, the micromesh will squash and stretch in order to adapt.

This means that if you want a more unified scale of the micromesh object, you’re going to have to try and relax the base mesh a bit more so that its polygons are more equally sized and distributed first. This is going to be tricky on a spherical object that has polygons fanning towards polar ends (as they buldge near the equator and become more compressed towards the poles).

#8

Hey thanks for that post - it helped me generate some ideas… :bulb:

My issue with the non-uniform faces could be a reason for a nifty plugin to be developed…One that rebuilds meshes with uniform topology or creates them with uniform topology/faces (hint, hint…).

I’m not a programmer by any means so i don’t know how to develop a plugin like that - Maybe someone else will make it… :+1:

Anyhow, thanks again for the post. I reckon it’s time to turn up the imagination - So, in the words of the Terminator, “Hasta La Vista…Baby!” :sunglasses:

#9

There is one already, it’s called ZRemesher. Make sure you understand the Adaptive Size option.

You should also bear in mind that for anything other than a mesh based on cubes it would be impossible to have absolutely uniform quads in a mesh. Depending on what you are trying to achieve, you may need to look at other options such as the Insert Mesh brushes.

#10

Yep, I knew that. I probably should of said “extra control” and not plugin - it was in the morning the last time I posted… :rolleyes:

Anyway, I meant it would be nice if there was some sort of control within the confines of the Micromesh plugin that could make the output of your micromesh 1-1-1 uniform topology instead of what it made for me (see pic in prev. post). :cool:

#11

Perhaps Nanomesh, coming in 4R7, will be provide what you’re after:
http://www.zbrushcentral.com/showthread.php?190658-CTN-animation-eXpo-2014-Joseph-Drust-ZBrush-4R7-Demo

#12

It’s absolutely all about having uniformly square polys and good flow as the lads suggested.

My technique is to mask out the area on my model that I want to Micromesh. Then I extract that and run ZRemesher to get the poly density and individual poly size down to what I need. I might also have to molest a few vertices into better positions.
You could also just duplicate your subtool (if you are Micromeshing the whole thing), ZRemesh the dupe and work from there.