ZBrushCentral

Spikes Anonomoly

ZBrush Usage Questions
#1

I have a fairly frequent problem with my ZTools where I’ll zoom out and suddenly notice that there is a very thin spike shooting out of one or more areas on my model. It typically only occurs at the highest subdivision level (level six or so). I’ve had some degree of success at getting rid of them by masking off the half of my model that looks ok, and doing a resym+smartResym. However, since I have to be at the highest subdivision level for this to work it’s pretty taxing (read: crash-prone) on my computer, and this little solution won’t cut it when I’m at the point when I have asymmetrical wrinkles and whatnot. I’ve also read that you can essentially zoom waaaay out and smooth all around the ZTool like a mad man until you start to see the spikes move in. That sorta kinda works. Sorta.

At this point I’m more interested in how to avoid these spikes than I am in how to fix them. I’ve read that the key is make sure you’re at your lowest subdivision level any time you save your ZTool, and to make sure you don’t have any hidden geometry when you save. I’ve also read that saving with Subtool Master’s Save option is the way to go, as it (from what I understand) automatically brings your ZTool to its lowest subdivision level before saving, then brings it back to the subdivision level you were working at.

All that said, I’ve tried all that and I’m still getting the spikes. If anyone has any other suggestions I’d really like to hear them.

Thanks
Dustin

#2

bump

#3

I know how to fix them: http://www.zbrushcentral.com/zbc/showthread.php?t=16887

I don’t know what causes them, though. And have never gotten any, myself.

#4

Hey aurick. Yeah I searched around when it first came up for me and found that thread, but thanks for posting it. I really wish I knew what caused this. I’ll try to pay attention to what I’m doing when it crops up next time.

-Dustin

#5

I started a new project today and within the first five minutes of working on it, I’m already getting spikes. If anyone has any ideas as to why this is happening, please speak up. Thanks.

-Dustin

[spikes.jpg](javascript:zb_insimg(‘117489’,‘spikes.jpg’,1,0))

#6

Ahh (raises hand)

(yes cannedmushrooms do you know the answer)?

I sure do
Pointy majorous happens when your scale gets out of hand.

(Zbrush has scale) ?

Yep when you get done fooling with alot of things you should always check your preview window. Then ask yourself “can I see my whole model inside this window”

Before you sculpt on your model make sure you UNIFY. This will shrink your model to “zbrush scale” (whatever the heck that is)

Things that affect scale getting out of hand.

  1. Zspheres (make polymesh)
  2. Topology tools
  3. Exporting and reimporting from 3rd party apps.

Things scale screws up

  1. Sculpting and lowering of subdivides
  2. Mapping (normal and displacements)

A way to make it show up for the people that make Zbrush (cough Pixologic)
is scale the demohead a litttle divide it and then sculpt on the highest level.
Then under deformation scale it back down (walla spikes)
I seen my students do it all the time.
Transposing the tool while scaled will also do it.

hope that helps :wink:

[hugemodel.jpg]

#7

You’re officially my friggin’ hero. Thanks, man.

Cheers,
-Dustin