ZBrushCentral

Slice with functionality of a pen ?

ZBrush Usage Questions
#1

Is there a way to slice with the same functionality of a Pen ? Tried using a mask by pen then in EdgeLoop the “EdgeLoop Masked Border”, but it’s a bit sloppy due to the blur of a mask. Also using the SliceCurve does give me almost what I want but there’s on symmetry and really hard to control. Really just want to draw an outline then slice.

#2

You know you can bend the curve to draw with the slice curve brush, right? Tap alt while drawing out the curve to insert a soft curve, double tap to insert an hard angle. You can do this as many times as necessary. Hold down Spacebar to reposition the entire curve before slicing.

The Slice Curv brush won’t work with symmetry, but you can slice on one side and use Geometry> Modify Topology > Mirror and Weld to mirror the slice to the other side of a symmetrical object.

You can also paint polygroups by many different methods, including by masking and by polypaint. So you could paint with any brush or alpha, and convert that section to a new polygroup. You can use the “Group Loops” function to clean up the edges of the polygroups.

Also, if you hold down the CTRL button while you adjust the brush settings, you can adjust the size/focal length of the brush being used to paint the mask, reducing the blur amount (though there will always be some depending on the resolution of the mesh). Likewise you can sharpen the edge of a mask in the Masking menu.

#3

you can also switch slice curve to lasso mode which might get you closer to what you want, just hold down ctrl+shift and go to the stroke menu and select Lasso

#4

Thanks, that’s one step closer. :slight_smile:

#5

I know this probably sounds stupid, but when using masking / slicing etc. they project all the way across the mesh, so on this other side is the same effect. How can I stop this happening ?

#6

This is addressed in a post 3 down from this one :wink:

http://www.zbrushcentral.com/showthread.php?193866-Masking-with-lasso-masks-both-sides-how-not-to

#7

Thanks for the reply. Reason I asked was because I watched a tutorial including use of the mask lasso but without hiding and pretty sure no polygroups.