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How to keep PolyGroup names intact with a ZBrush 4R2 exported .obj? [Answered]

ZBrush Usage Questions
#1

Towards an effort to create a new Poser character from Z-Brush 4R2 mesh, when I export the specific poly group names are replaced with generic geometry names. The mesh is a ZBrush tool consisting of merged subtools each uniquely identified. Upon export the mesh group names are substituted with generic, non-descriptive names although the grouping hierarchy is properly maintained. Poser likes very specific group names, and reassignment out ofd ZBrush means a trial and error game of rename the group.

Othere must have found the proper way to retain polygroup names. Otherwise why would the option to change polygroup names exist in ZBrush

#2

ZBrush doesn’t have any feature for naming polygroups. If you combine subtools into a single mesh the subtool names are not retained in any way (though all polygroups are, and a single subtool can have several). If you are creating your model in ZBrush there is no way to name the polygroups before exporting.

#3

So renaming subtools before merging does not apply the subtool name to the polygroup name?? How are we supposed to identify the exported groups in the obj? There should be a name mapping mechanism or at least a cross reference table. I cant be the first to encounter this issue. There must be a work around.

#4

What makes this really bizzare is that the merge subtool actually parses the subtool names and reports back if they are not unique with an error. If it was being reassigned to something unique & generic to their naming convention, this step wouldn’t be necessary.

#5

Really? What are you using the merge? (I don’t get that behaviour.)

I may be able to help out with a little plugin that will export all subtools to a single OBJ, using the subtool names. But it will take a few days to do.

#6

I imagine that would be a very popular plug-in for the character creators.
After further repeating my steps I realize it was Decimination Master plugin that found the duplicate group names, however its export too doesn’t maintain the original name.

#7

I’ve added this functionality to the Poser Utilities plugin here:
http://www.zbrushcentral.com/showthread.php?163130-Poser-Utilities-plugin-(beta)-for-ZBrush-4R2-(updated-January-4-2012)&p=906360&viewfull=1#post906360

Note that UVs are currently NOT exported (though I intend to add this in due course). Also the selected subdivision level is used for each SubTool, so make sure the level you want is selected.

HTH,

#8

THanks SO MUCH. This will be extremely useful.