ZBrushCentral

Alpha snap to native resolution ?

ZBrush Usage Questions
#1

Is there a way to snap an Alpha while in mask mode to the native resolution?

Example: If i have an alpha at 1024 x 1024, can i snap it to this size.

Thanks!

#2

I don’t think there is a way using the alpha directly. What you can do is use the alpha as a stencil. In the Stencil palette is an ‘Actual’ button that will make the stencil the actual size of the alpha. You can then use the stencil directly to mask while you sculpt, or polypaint using black and convert the polypaint to a mask. The stencil won’t allow you to create a mask directly.

A brief workflow would be:

  1. Load alpha into Alpha palette.
  2. Press Alpha>Transfer>Make St to create a stencil.
  3. Press Stencil>Actual. You will probably need to hold the Spacebar to bring up the coin controller and move the stencil in order for the size to update.
  4. Polypaint over the stencil using black. If needed you can invert the stencil first by pressing Stencil>Invr.
  5. Convert the polypaint to a mask by pressing Tool>Masking>Mask By Color>Mask By Intensity. Turn off Tool>Polypaint>Colorize to see the mask.

For curved surfaces, there is a Wrap Mode for stencils:
http://docs.pixologic.com/reference-guide/stencil/

Attachments

Stencil-actual.jpg

Stencil-mask.jpg

#3

Here’s a macro that may be of use. It will mask at the actual size of the alpha. It places the alpha with its center in the center of the canvas so you need to position the model correctly. However it’s simple enough to redo if necessary.

Save the file to your ZStartup/Macros/Misc folder and press Macro>Reload All Macros. You should then have a new button in the Macros>Misc sub-palette called MaskActualSize.

To use you need to make sure the alpha you want to use is the currently selected alpha. It doesn’t need to be assigned to the masking brush as the macro does that. Position your model and press the button.

Download macro:

#4

Thank you for the reply! Much appreciation Marcus!

#5

Hey Marcus. That macro is amazing! Thank you for that. Quick question… Is their a way to view / look at the model at actual size. Since the alpha is static it effects the size on the model because the model however is not being " viewed " at actual size.

Hope that makes sense,

Thanks again,
Josh

#6

I’m not entirely sure what you mean by ‘actual size’ for the model. But if you resize your document so that it matches the size of your alpha you could then scale your model so that it is the size you want relative to the document. When the alpha is drawn it will fill the document.