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Split by polypaint

hi, is there a short way to split a polypainted object into subtools, i tried polygroupit but cant do it.!

Screenshot_1|619x585

Hello @O_B


Yes! Although your results will depend on the quality of your polygrouping.

The first thing to understand is that in ZBrush Polypaint = Masking = Polygroups. If you can establish one, you can convert it into either of the others. Once you have good Polygrouping, you can split the poly-grouped geometry easily.

So in this case you have a polypainted object, and want to convert that polypaint into polygroups. You can do that via Tool> Polygroups > Polygroups from Polypaint. From there, the polygroups can be split into separate subtools via the Tool > Subtool> Split> Groups Split function.



However! Subtools should be reserved for geometry that can be logically split from a mesh. It’s important to keep any geometry you want to be able to sculpt on simultaneously in the same subtool. So while the teeth and lower jaw of that skull might be candidates for a separate subtool, splitting the separate parts of the skull apart will mean you wont be able to sculpt or transform that skull as a single contiguous piece any longer.

In cases like this, it is better to leave the geometry together in the same subtool, and use the Polygrouping and Masking shortcuts to help manage which sections you want to sculpt on without affecting the others, while preserving the ability to sculpt on it as a single piece if needed.



If you’d like to split the mesh apart into separate subtool for just the teeth, jaw, and skull, the Split to Parts function will do this regardless of your polygrouping, though you may have to re-merge the teeth into a single subtool. If the teeth, jaw, and skull were all separate but unified polygroups, many of the other options in the split menu would also work well.

Good luck! :slightly_smiling_face:

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ok, i wont rearrenge subtools because its a rough model just for studying purposes and polygroups from Polypaint approach worked well for me,thanks so much! and im appreciate for the extra information.