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Program crashes for no reason

ZBrush Usage Questions
#1

Hey out there,
hope you can help me with this:
For some reason, ZBrush2 just crashes. The Program is closed, I have no error message and looking at my cpu/memory usage it is far below 100%.
This doesnt appaer everytime, but it happend often enough to disturb my workflow. In fact, since it happend the third time and eliminated all the progress, I'm saving every minute... This way I make sure not to lose too much of my work. But perhaps someone of you can help me solving this nasty bug. As far as I know, this problem mostly showed up when I was using some brushes, so I wasnt working with any polys…
So I cannot really figure out, what it might be :frowning:

But by the way, I also have another (more simple I hope) question: Is there a polycounter and if there is, where can I find it???
(Yes, I am a newbie…)

Thanks for your help

My system Specs:

P4 2,4GHz
1GB DDR Ram
Geforce FX5900Ultra
10GB of free disk space

Windows XP Home SP2
Zbrush 2

Newest drivers installed
No OC so I have a stable system (Except for Zbrush 2)

#2

First, it helps if you provide system specs when you post messages such as this.

However, were you working with the Bump brush or the Hook brush on a canvas larger than the default? This is a known issue, and is gotten around by working on a filled canvas as the problem occurs when these brushes cause pixols to be painted over a blank part of the canvas.

#3

I was mostly working with the bump brush and the canvas doubled.

So should I just try out if it is stable in default size?

#4

Hey Rotten,

First off to count polys hover the mouse over the tool ison and it will tell you how many polys are visible at the current subD level.

Secondly assuming you are using a PC here are some reccomendations I have found made a big difference on my system.

RAM - more the better up to 2 gig. Windows wont assign more than 2 gig to a program which isnt to say 3 isnt worthwhile as t can still go to the program while the third (in theory) hgoes to the OS and background processes.

Disk space - Zbrush creates a disk cache file in the root folder of the app which can grow upwards of 1 gig. the more free space on the drive you run zbrush the better. Also check to make sure there arent som old cache / tmp files in the zbrush folder. It tends to leave them when it crashes and they can be deleted.

Swap space- maximize your allowed swap space on the C drive by right clicking my computer and going to properties. It is under performance options. The reccomended settings will be there.

Otherwise I have had odd crashes with different tools over the ourse of using Zbrush. Usually a cole reboot fixes this. If not, then I just find another workaround : )

Scott

#5

Yeah, that makes sense. I wanted to upgrade my system anyway, cause working with several other programs also took me to the limits…
So, I need more ram and another importend thing would be a better processor with HT (my P4 has none), so I#m able to concentrate more power on the demading application.
But thats all a financel problem at this time, cause I#m a student and not able to spend that much money.
But anyway, thanks for the performance tips, I#ll keep them in mind :slight_smile:
And the polycounter - yeah, being right in front of me and I just didn’t see it… lol

#6

You will not experience this with the default canvas size. Nor would you experience it if you painted pixols into the background first. For example, you can create a new layer, fill it, and then move it so that it’s immediately behind what you’re painting. When finished, simply delete that layer if you want.

#7

Cool,
didn’t even think of that…

I just tryed it and it works just as simple as you told me.
Thank’s a lot for this nice trick :slight_smile: