ZBrushCentral

Dynamesh smoothing an unattached group.

ZBrush Usage Questions
#1

Congrats on the new version pixo.
I have been playing with dynamesh and it is a blast. Inserting a mesh and then remeshing with group enabled it seems like that mesh cannot be smoothed. Once that mesh is attached it smooths no problem. Wondering if it is possible to smooth an unattached mesh before committing it to the main object.

Thanks in advance.
Cheers

#2

If I understand you right, I think I just made a thread on the same thing:

http://www.zbrushcentral.com/showthread.php?161377-Z4r2-Subdivision-smoothing-quirk-with-inserted-mesh

It appears Zbrush doesnt apply smoothing when subdividing locally (masking part of a mesh, and hitting “divide” to subdivide the rest.) In other words, when you insert a mesh into a single subtool, it is considered part of that new mesh, even though it is not continuous. So when part of that mesh is auto-masked out as part of the insertion process, it will subdivide when you press “divide”, but not smooth, as if SMT in the geometry palette is not pressed.

There are lots of work arounds for this , depending on your situation.

  1. You can make a pre-smoothed/subdivided version of whatever you’re trying to insert, and insert that with the mesh insert brush.

2)You can combine the meshes via the traditional methods in the subtool menu, which will let you establish subdivision beforehand, and then dynamesh.

  1. If appropriate, you can apply a deformation effect, like Smoothing, or one of the Polish sliders in the Deformation menu which will soften the appearance. The new “clay polish” settings in the geometry palette can also do some neat things.

It’s also worth noting, that if you’re dynameshing, the lack of smoothness probably wont show up anyway in re-meshes. You’d have to be working at high dynamesh resolution in order to pick up subtle creasing.

If I have misunderstood, I apologize.

#3

Spyndel, thanks for the workarounds. Actually I noticed the subdividing without smoothing. Thats ok because the mesh is really a concept one so no biggie. What I was wondering though was the inability to smooth the inserted mesh with the smooth brush after the inserted mesh is remeshed with the main mesh. If I use groups and keep the insert separate I cant smooth it after remeshing, until it is joined with the main mesh.

My setup is strange because I am working at a size in zbrush that is the size I want the model to be in 3dsmax and that size is the size used by game engines. My model is about 100 or so percent larger than zbrush sizes. Not only that but my pivot is placed on the max grid at the feet of my character and not on the top of its head.

If I GoZ out of zbrush my model stands on the grid often at 2 meters high and can be exported direct to the unreal engine. This sometimes has a strange effect on features in zbrush due to pivot and size problems. Will test it and also test other smooth brushes and report back here if I find anything.

Thanks for the reply. I read your thread btw, but didnt want to hijack it.

Cheers.

#4

Ok did some tests.

If you start a dynamesh sculpt with a sphere or other primative and draw it on the canvas extending down as you go the inserted meshes can be smoothed with the smooth brushes. My giant mesh is probably editable in this manner only it must be so big you dont see any result even with the brush set to 100. It would if you could go up and down in resolution but I dont think this is possible.

So nothing going on with zbrush, just my crazy mesh, as usual!