ZBrushCentral

Can you save a Mask?

ZBrush Usage Questions
#1

Hi, I don’t think it’s possible, but if I paint a mask (sometimes very detailed) it would be nice to be able to save it with the file so that it can be called upon at some point in the sculpting process.

For example if I mask an area on an object and then apply a deformation or an mesh extraction to that object, then I turn the mask off and do some sculpting, but later want to recall the mask it would be really nice to be able to do this. If I paint a mask, can I save the painted mask as a Morph Target and then Switch “On” the morph target to recall my mask?

Thanks

#2

You can save a mask by using the “make alpha” cntrl in the masking palette.

You can also save a mask by converting it to a texture. You can then apply that texture at a later point, and convert it to a mask by using one of the “mask by” controls in the masking palette.

The process by which you do this is somewhat different in 3.5, as the texture controls are different, so Im at a bit of a loss to give you an up to date how to just yet…but Im sure it has something to do with the “New from Masking” control in the Tool>Texture Map palette.

You’ll need UVs for this.

[edit] If you just anticipate a one time quick recall, you could not bother with UVs by using polypaint. Invert your mask, and Paint black everything else.

#3

Thanks Scott, I will give this a try! :slight_smile: