ZBrushCentral

Zbrush crashes when trying to subtract sub-object

ZBrush Usage Questions
#1

Hi all,

I’m trying to make an object (imported from 3DS Max) with a perfectly flat base for a 3D print. I am using Zbrush to smooth everything over via dynamesh, and cut out some holes (since Max’s booleans are terrible.) My main concern now is that the base is slightly uneven and was messing up a the 3D print job. My idea for flattening it was to draw a large box and place it below, cutting off the uneven base. Then, to subtract the box sub-object (after grouping it as a dynamesh sub) by merging down from my top dynameshed object.

It seems that the merge process goes off without a hitch, until I ctrl+click+drag in the background to actually remove the box. then a message at the top says “DYNAMESH CLOSING HOLES…” for about 5 minutes or so. Zbrush freezes, and I get an error box that says “Zbrush Executable has stopped working.”

I have tried this with several subtraction shapes, several res sizes for my object (right now it’s at 576 as dynamesh res), and on 2 different machines. I have also error checked/fixed my shape. Still always crashes!

I can send the .ztl file if you want to give it a go. Thanks.

BTW, I am open to other ways to get a perfectly flat base for an object. My usual method is to rectangle marquee-hide some of the base geometry, delete hidden, then “close holes.” However, there is a slurry of problems that “close holes” creates, and things still don’t end up completely flat.

Thanks,
~Zirn

Attachments

ZbrushMergeProblem.jpg

#2

Hi there

I can try to help if you upload the file somewhere.
BTW, Zbrush version?

Cheers

#3

Sure thing, here’s the link. Thanks so much for taking a look.

Software is Zbrush 4R6.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/4cf4va09u13n37v/RadialAtomTest_3_Dynamesh(CrashesZbrush).ZTL?dl=0

(I don’t know all the in’s and out’s of the software, hopefully I’m not missing something obvious.)

#4

It worked on my rig. Took about 2 or 3 minutes to complete the task

https://onedrive.live.com/redir?resid=5D9D65C67598014B!199&authkey=!AN88O2iVFyB2nsc&ithint=folder%2CZTL

What Zbrush version are you using?

#5

Thank you! I wonder if it worked for you due to improvements to ZR7? (I’m in ZR6).

Unfortunately, when I try to open your .ztl, I get “This file has been created by a newer Zbrush version [4.73] This version of Zbrush is unable to read such files.”

If you could save it out as an older version it’d be appreciated. Regardless, it still really helps to know that this is possible, that there isn’t a fundamental error with how I set things up.

BTW, my OS is Windows 7 Professional 64Bit, and I have 24 gigs of RAM. I don’t use near that much before Zbrush crashes though, so I don’t think that’s it. But I’d like to know what’s different about your rig rather than the Zbrush version.

#6

I would suggest upgrading to 4R7P3. 64-bit isn’t just a memory upgrade it’s also about how it processes the information. The process you’re trying to run may be too intensive for 32-bit.

#7

I’ve seen videos where artists are slicing into really complex/detailed models like butter, pre-ZR7. I had thought this operation would be easy by comparison. But I think they were using alphas rather than subtools, so could be apples and oranges…

UPDATE: Bought Zbrush ZR7 and it works great! Thanks so much for pointing me towards it, I’d been holding off until then. :slight_smile: