ZBrushCentral

Corrupt ZTL file - how could it happen?

ZBrush Usage Questions
#1

Hi!

I opened an old file that used to work and bam, it doesnt open. It crashes Zbrush once I open the file.

Dumb as I am, I have deleted all the OBJs and temp files during work.

I know that I might have tested some plugins or so - could something have gotten into the ZTL and causing crashes during startup?

Or are there any workarounds or solutions for stuff like that?
Comparing the header and footer of the file in UltraEdit shows me that the file doesn’t seem corrupt in that way that it differs from a working file.

This post is rather meant to see if there is any solution for this than solving my problem (even though it would be very welcome).

#2

from what i’ve read a corrupt file is junk, and it usually happens when you have exceeded the correct memory preferences for your system. although i’ve had it happen on tools with less than 500polys, but that was due to edgelooping.
i’d look into a file recovery software(there are free ones) that might be able to locate some of the files you deleted.

#3

yep…a corrupted file is gone for good.

ways to “help” avoid future problems though

ALWAYS…
put all subtools at their lowest SubD before saving.
remove all masks before saving.
unhide all geometry before saving.

Make sure your mem settings are appropriate for the amount of ram that you have in your system. Make sure you have at least 15% of free space on the HD where Zbrush is installed.

Also give Zbrush a second to compute what all you’re doing. If you just stepped down from 13million polygons to under 1k let Zbrush sit for a couple of seconds before you save as well.

Also…always back up your work.

#4

Spaceboy; yep, my model wasnt that big either. Maybe not less than 500 polys but still.
Its the first time it happened and I havent played anything with my mem settings or so.

Goast; thanks for the tip. So if I have many sub-tools, then you would suggest that I go to the lowest SubD level on each of them?

I decided to make backups on the ZTL (although it might not help me much if both appear to be corrupt by some reason), and the all subtools at the highest subD level and merged together.

However, I have a feeling that I might have done something like what you mentioned; saved before ZB was really done. Or it could be like you both said, the memory settings etc.

Too bad ZB doest have a backup-on-save.

#5

Is there another program to use to open ZTL’s so that you can at least get to the separate subtools (to export them as .objs) in the ZTool? Because I am having the same issue.

#6

Yep, having a tool like that in emergency cases would be really good.
You never know when it happens. Or at least if ZB would have an incremental saves function. Then you would be able to go back some steps in history.