ZBrushCentral

After you drop a model to the 2.5 D canvas, Can you ever rotate it in 3D again

ZBrush Usage Questions
#1

I am looking into using the transform gyro in paint mode, I have never used this at all as I work mainly in 3D.
One feature I like with the move gyro in paint mode Is the ability to drag one object over another and
have it follow the surface of that object in real time as you drag, an I have a question about that.

So for example you have a 2.5D dog model on your canvas and then you place a small sphere on the canvas as well , then you click Move in the Transform palette and you can drag the sphere over onto the dog and it will snap to the exterior form of the model as you drag so that you can place it where ever you like on the 2.5 D surface of the dog.

I would like to be able to do this type of action in “3D” and also be able to rotate the dog so that I could position the sphere on parts of the dog not shown in the 2.5D view of the dog on the canvas. Is there any way to bring the scene back into 3D edit mode? or any similar feature in edit mode to drag one sub tool over the surface of another ?

The closest thing I use is insert mesh brushes, But you don’t see the insert moving along the surface in real time as you drag like with the move tool in paint mode.

Thanks

#2

If the Gyro is active then you can simple turn Edit back on. But this will only put the model you were moving about with the Gyro back into 3D mode. The other model, that was dropped to the canvas, will stay that way.

However, there is a way to do what you want using old methods from early versions of ZBrush. Note that as these are old methods you may not be able to work with high resolution meshes and there are limitations. For example, you can’t work with subdivision levels. And sometimes these old methods conflict with new features so don’t be too surprised if you get a crash!

What you do is this:

  1. Draw your first model on the canvas. You can use the Gyro or Edit mode to position it how you want. Then turn off Edit.
  2. In the Marker palette (that you’ve never taken any notice of before :wink: ) press the M+ button. This marks the position of the first object.
  3. Pick another model from the tool palette and repeat the process. Place it, turn off Edit and then press the M+ button to mark it.

You can keep on adding objects if you want.
4. When you want to put the object into 3D, clear the canvas (Ctrl+N) then in the Tool palette, select the MultiMarkers tool. It’s in the bottom line of the 2.5 tools, with an icon like an ‘M’. Draw it on the canvas and turn on Edit.
5. Although this looks like 3D you can’t use it as it is, you need to press the Make Polymesh button in the tool>Modifiers.
6. There’ll be a new tool in the Tool palette with a name beginning “Composite”. Select this.
7. You can now press the Delete All button in the Marker palette. This gets rid of all the markers on the canvas and you can start the process again if you want, with the composite model in a different position. You need to make sure to delete the markers first otherwise when you next select the MultiMarkers tool you’ll have duplicates of the mesh you’ve just made.

HTH,

#3

Wow! That’s cool.
You are a fountain of knowledge!
Thank you Marcus.