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Dynamesh Problem, Inserting negative meshes (Sub) only adds, doesn't subtract!

ZBrush Usage Questions
#1

I’m trying to Boolean one object from another using the dynamesh feature and the following directions from either this…

http://www.pixologic.com/docs/index.php/Dynamesh

or this…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hmCPrYD_Rq4

…gets me the same frustrating results, the two objects merge into one. The inserted mesh joins when I want it to subtract. I think the absolute best thing would be a step by step keystroke/mouse click instruction list.

DO NOT reply with “just hold ALT when inserting a mesh” because that is getting me nowhere. Obviously a crucial step is not being mentioned in both the above tutorials.

As to the “Just hold Alt” tip, the “insert mesh button” will not let me click it when I’m holding alt, only after i have clicked it not holding alt can i then hold alt when selecting the tool i wish to insert from the pop up window showing all current tools to select from. Still after doing that both combine instead of subtract.

Please someone provide a step by step keystroke/mouse click instruction as to how this can be done because I’m close to loosing my **** over this.

#2

when you hold alt and insert a mesh it is shown as “added”, but as soon as you perform a dynamesh (remove mask first, and then do the stroke “remove mask” again for invoking “dynamesh”) it will be substracted. use a high enough dynamesh resolution to get nice results. at least this is how it works for me…

#3

There are basically two methods of cutting.

  1. Draw out the dynamesh that you want to cut into
  2. Select the desired insert brush
  3. Activate “Zsub” (you must do this first before drawing out the insert mesh)
  4. Draw out the insert tool WITHOUT holding ALT.
  5. Control + Drag on a blank section of canvas to clear the mask
  6. Control + Drag on a blank section of canvas to cut

The other method

  1. Draw out the dynamesh that you want to cut into
  2. Select the desired insert brush
  3. Activate “Zadd” (not Zsub)
  4. Draw out the insert tool “WHILE” holding ALT.
  5. Control + Drag on a blank section of canvas to clear the mask
  6. Control + Drag on a blank section of canvas to cut

Holding the ALT Key flips the mesh. To understand what I mean try doing some tests with the “InsertHead” brush. This is a good brush to demonstrate the point, as it’s easy to tell when the head is flipped upside down.

To make matters more confusing the flipped mesh thing works differently depending if Zsub or Zadd is active. Once you understand that concept, the process makes more sense.

I hope that helps

#4

Awesome, thank you both for your responses.

Looks like my big issue was that I was trying to insert a custom shape that I made from a polysphere. Instead I inserted a new polysphere, manipulated it into the same shape as the one i had pre-made, and presto it did what it was supposed to and removed the intended material.

Thanks Again for your help!