ZBrushCentral

Creating materials zones

ZBrush Usage Questions
#1

I have a 3d model (tool) I have worked on, but I want to be able to create various materials zones so that when I export it as an OBJ it also has a MTL file which defines the various zones.

How do I do that?

#2

Where do you want to export? 3ds Max will accept polygroups as material IDs with GOZ and obviously each subtool also can have his own material without need of polygroups as long is one per subtool as it will be individual objects. If you need a subtool with multiple materials check that your target program reads polygroups.
You have some extra options of the FBX exporter and the multimap exporter, that also export geometry.

#3

I want to be able to create a MTL file to go with the OBJ file.

The MTL file is basically just the definition of where all the materials zones are on the model.

http://www.fileformat.info/format/material/

At the moment, when I export it to OBJ, it is all one material. I want it to have multiple materials. Or if there is another way to do this without creating a MTL file, let me know.

EDIT: Ok, it does seem to be exporting a MTL file with the OBJ. So now I need to make new materials zones. I tried doing this by creating different polygroups on the model but they don’t seem to become new zones. How do I make plygroups into materials zones?

#4

I only can help you with Max, and Max accepts the polygroups as ID zones

#5

I believe you’re bringing the obj into Daz Studio, correct?

Take a look at the discussion in this thread, on page 5. I think the information you need is here: http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/35962/daz-and-zbrush/p5

#6

The ZBrush FBX plugin has an option to export polygroups as materials, so if the program you are importing to supports the FBX format, try that.

#7

If you are using DAZ, you need to go into the Polygroup Editor. Click on individual groups in the editor and then assign your material to each surface.

#8

Thanks for your help everyone. It’s actually incredibly easy to do. I mainly got it from this link
http://hivewire3d.com/forum/forum/discussion-forums/software-discussion/zbrush/859-preserve-polygroups-after-importing-model-to-daz-studio-mini-tutorial

Here’s what you do

  1. in zbrush paint the areas of the model you want to be your new material zone.
  2. go to Polygroups and select From polypaint
    3) export the tool to OBJ format
  3. in DAZ Studio import the model
  4. open Geometry Editor mode
  5. open Tool settings
    7) under face groups you can now see the two groups (the main model and the newly made group)
  6. click the + of the new group
  7. in the viewport the new group will now be selected. Right click on it and select Geometry Assignment > Create surface from selected
    10) a “Create surface” dialog will pop up asking you to name the new zone. Enter a suitable name
  8. export the model as OBJ.

Bingo! the new model now has two material zones!

#9

Hang on… I may have spoken too soon.

When I render it, only the new material zone shows up!