ZTLs just will not load. * they were NOT created in newer version

[tonycipriano]

I’m so sorry if this is a very basic question that has been covered…I tried to search answers here but they are all going back to very early versions of Zbrush.

I’m running 2020.1 I’m on a MAC.

I created a bunch of ZTL files of my model about a year ago in version 2019. Just went to open them…none will open.

Just a generic error message. Can all of them be corrupted?? Every other file I open just fine.

** These were saved to an external hard drive…which is where i’m trying to open them from.

Any ideas? I restarted …no luck. I’ve NEVER had this happen.

Thanks in advance,
Tony

[Spyndel]

Hello @tonycipriano!

@tonycipriano

I’m running 2020.1

Please upgrade your program to the most recent version of ZBrush–currently 2021.1.1. This is free for registered users, and comes with exciting new features. It is also generally impractical to troubleshoot obsolete versions that may be missing important fixes.

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@tonycipriano

Can all of them be corrupted?? Every other file I open just fine

@tonycipriano

These were saved to an external hard drive…which is where i’m trying to open them from.

Any ideas?

If the problem files all come from the same location, there’s a chance they could indeed all be corrupted. All storage will eventually fail. I have plenty of files on old disks that won’t open any longer. The drive could be failing or faulty.

Does moving the files onto your main drive and attempting to load them from there produce different results?

Otherwise, I’m not sure what to suggest. If none of the files from that drive will open, but you have no problem opening files from other locations, the most likely answer does seem to be that the files are all faulty in some way.

[tonycipriano]

Thank you so much for taking the time to try to help…

That is what is so confusing; I have this particular model backed up on two different external drives. All of the other files on those drives open with no problems. I dragged all of the ZTLs of this modle onto my desktop and tried …they refuse to open. There are only 50MB or so…not complicated models . No layers or anything.

I think it may be a reading/writing/ permissions thing with the drives?? I dunno. I’m grasping at straws.

It’s a Scooby Doo mystery. I may try to upgrade to 2021 today and see if that helps. I’ve never ever seen this before, except when trying to open a ZTL made by a later version.

[Spyndel]

It does happen. I’ve had plenty of physical media fail. I’ve also had drives suffer an event after which many files refused to open any longer.

@tonycipriano

I dragged all of the ZTLs of this modle

If the files all contain the same tool, then that’s another common factor in addition to the storage location. The tool itself could be problematic in some way.

If you happen to have any Project files that contains the tools you’re looking for, you can try to use the “Load Tools from Project” function in the tool menu to extract them. It may produce different results.

[tonycipriano]

Ok . Very good. Thank you so much again. I appreciate your taking your time to walk me through.

I Suppose the files have some issues. I remeber in the early days of Zbrush, you were not supposed to save ZTLs with parts hidden or masked. Does this still apply?

I can’t imagine why this one particular model was somehow corrupted. It was just a WIP of a bear. Simple shapes. I would have liked to finish him, but I can start again.

THANK you, Spyndel .great forum and community.

Very sincerely,
Tony