ZBrushCentral

every time save file reach 500mb file wont open

ZBrush Usage Questions
#1

Ok, i’ve been notice that every time a save file from zbrush reach the size of 500 mb the file saves, but never opens. It always give memory error.
But if the file is 499 mb, it opens without any trouble… I allways need to check if my saves are reaching 500, so i dont loose work…

Yesterday, i lost hours of work… file is 503 mb, so it wont open…previous save is 497 so it opens, but its a bit way back on the work…

Its a bit anoying working fine, saving fine, and next day, pufff…

I know i need a better pc, i’m working on a lap top with 3 gb of ram and XP 32 bit, but its strange the limit of the openable files be 499…

Thing is, is there any possibility to open this file? So i can split the parts in two files? Without buying a new pc…

I’ve tryed to open the file with 3.5 but it wont opened…but weirdly, 3.5 doesnt open my 4.97 file either! But 3.1 opens it!

#2

I’ve been having this problem with 3.5, where if the file is too large it would constantly give me memory errors and wont open it. 3.1 seems to be fine. But I’m also having that problem with files in around 400 mb… and I have 8 gigs of ram.

#3

I’ve just recently run into this error.
Have either of you been able to get it resolved?
My file fails at 700 mb.

Is there a way to export all the Subtools to their own Ztool without having to load the entire mesh into Zbrush?

What is interesting is that I had the file loaded with Max SubD and Zbrush was taking up 1,300 or so Mb of Ram. When I load the file, Zbrush only gets to 800 mb before returning the memory error.

#4

Well,if you are going to render in Max, you can divide the work in parts. 2 or 3 zbrush files, each one with a part of the work.( if you have a lot of subtools. if you have only one or two subtools… you are doomed…).

Another thing, that problem get worst in 3.5. I cant load files bigger than 300 mb in 3.5, but in 3.1 a can load files with 500 mb.

The solution is more ram…

#5

I second that. I just noticed I have three ztool file iterations, the only three that are over 300, and today none of seem to want to open up., :mad:

#6

I don’t have a problem opening any file size in Zbrush. Granted, most of the time my files don’t get to 500mb.

Think about it as if it were photoshop or any other type of tile for that matter.
at some point you need to start breaking apart huge files, or committing changes into the actual work. A non-destructive workflow can only get you so far.

tips for saving.
always at the lowest subD on all tools.
remove all masks on all tools.
have all geometry visible on all tools.
collapse layers once you’re done with them (if you think you’ll need them again collapse them and export out a .obj so you can import that “layer” at a later time if changes are needed.)
Delete lower levels of SubD’s if they will never be used again.
save in iterations, often.

After saving the file, open it. If you can’t open the file after your 15min save then you’ve only lost 15min of work…not 4-5hrs or increments because they’re all either too large to open or corrupted for some reason.

I have to do this often when working inside of a large max file as it likes to create errors during its saving process…

#7

Thats the problem. If you files dont reach 500 mb (3.1) or 300 mb (3.5) you can open them (most of the times)
Problem is when you’l need those subd levels or those layers. I think its not possible to colapse just some layers.
But hey, problem is my fault, not having suficient memory.
The solution i found for me was to save separated tools in separated save files, so it dont reach 500. I render my stuf in max, so thats no a problem.

That problem with max, i had it in max 7.5, after that, i never had the same problem again.
The weird stuff is that it seems that the limit im 3.1 is 500 and the limit in 3.5 is 300(+/-)…