Hi, long time visitor to ZBC but never post. Loving the new zmodeler. Im making tank treads and thought using array mesh would be a perfect solution for me. I also found this youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xXBIU4MFiD0
which is near identical to what I’m trying to do. Well, I must have watched this a hundred times and have spent a couple hours banging against a wall with the array mesh function. I can get close, but I cant get the precision i need for my tank treads (in the video they are floating, mine need a lot more precision, especially on the curved parts).
In the end, I decided to just settle on placing them 1 by 1 and keeping the instancing feature of this tool. Only problem is, you have to place 2 at a time (I’m using the chain button). Whats worse, is one of them is locked in position and you can only move one of them. If you turn array mesh to 1 it thinks you dont want to array anymore and it greys the whole menu out (because why would I only want 1 in an array, right?).
The truth is, I could care less about the ARRAY part of it, all I really want is the functionality of the instancing. Why cant I place each instance manually? What a weird requirement especially when the functionality is already there. I guess I’ll only want to use array when i’m putting things in a perfect line or circle? To curve an array is terribly inaccurate as well as an exercise of imprecise patience.
The only thing I can think of doing is converting it to static mesh and getting the precision I need by hand. BUT then they are no longer instanced. If anyone knows a work around for this that does not break the instancing, I would be very thankful.
Thanks,
Lightning
Hey, I’m trying to figure this out too. I just found out there’s ready made tank threads in the lightbox projects under the array mesh folder. You can look at the array mesh settings there as a starter. Another thing that could be usefull is the firse few mintues of thise demo: http://pixologic.com/zbrush/features/instances-and-details/ (array mesh buildings by Joseph Drust)I’m trying to folow it step by step and I think I’m on my to figure this out.
Attachments
Ok I figured it out:
note that once you you adjust the pivot and rotation just enough you can play with the center point and fine tune it.
Attachments
I’ll give that a try.
Thanks
RL