ZBrushCentral

16-bit alpha import problem R2

ZBrush Usage Questions
#1

Hello,
I’m having a problem importing 16-bit alpha images in ZB4r2. It seems that my grayscale 16-bit images will not import correctly if they are larger than 512x512. The Alpha preview window displays the file info correctly (ie: 2048x2048 16-bit) but the preview is blank. Then when I press “Crop and Fill” it seems there is no alpha info because the document is completely flat and blank.

my config info:
Windows 7 Professional, Xeon [email protected] GHz, 64-bit, 6 GB RAM

Attachments

import01.jpg

import02.jpg

#2

Im having the same issue as well. Seems others are too. The only thing I know is that it seems to depend on document resolution. I make textures at 1024 square and none of my previously created or even newly created out of 4R2 work. I’ve tried tests at smaller than that and they do work.

#3

Good, others are having this issue as well. I thought I missed something. They open fine in 4.0 so I am forced to use the old version since a 512x512 Displacement just doesn’t cut it.

#4

Same boat.

Below are other forum threads with the same issue (so people don’t have to go digging around for them). Ideally, I’d like to get some visibility on this.

http://www.zbrushcentral.com/showthread.php?161850-zbrush-4r2-importing-16bit-alphas-and-textureshttp://www.zbrushcentral.com/showthread.php?161958-Zbrush-4R2-and-Previously-Created-16-bit-Grayscale-Alphashttp://www.zbrushcentral.com/showthread.php?161685-16-Bit-Greyscale-Image-994px-Size-Limit
-Paul

#5

I am experiencing this also using PSD 16-Bit Grey-scale Alphas that are 1024 x 1024. I reduced one to 512 x 512 and it works as expected. Would be great to get some info. on this - most of the alphas I have created myself are 1024 x 1024.

Thanks,

-nbreslow

#6

I am not in the habit of bumping threads but this one is confounding me. There are three other posts referred to in this thread and I have been following all of them hoping for more info. though there hasn’t been any. If someone from Big Z could shed some light it would be much appreciated. Thanks!!

-nbreslow

#7

I agree. I find it impossible to work around it. Yes, I can create smaller alphas for brushes without affecting quality too much but this is not where it is causing me problems.

  • Trying to import a PSD to use as a Mask on a character or environment- 512 Limit is killing me there.
  • Importing an Alpha to use as a “Stencil”.
  • Or even just re-importing a baked Displacement map !

Could anyone who is using 4R2 despite this issue give me a hint how you deal ?

#8

This is still a problem for me…are there new guidelines for alpha creation? If so, would be great to see updated documentation or hear from a ZBrush staffer on this. Thanks in advance,

-nbreslow

#9

Marcus Civis posted a fix for this.
“Try setting Preferences>Performance>Preload File Size to its highest value and try again. Note that I don’t think the new setting will store with the config.”

I just tested it and it works. Thought I’d post here incase anyone is following this thread. This made my week.

-Paul

#10

Thanks for the update Paul, I would have missed it. Hopefully this will be part of the R2b fixes next month. :+1:

#11

Agreed - thanks for following up and posting the fix. Much appreciated. :slight_smile:

-nb