Am new to Zbrush. When I import an obj mesh containing various surfaces, Zbrush does not appear to recognize or maintain them.
For example, if I simply import an obj, then export it, the original surfaces are gone. Is there a way to keep the original obj surfaces defined? I dont need to address the surfaces in Zbrush, I just want them to remain embedded. I have been over the import, export, texture options, but can find no applicable solution.
Thanks
I don’t understand what your problem is. Can you post pictures?
Do surfaces = materials in this case?
Where did the .obj file originate? Is it possible that Displacement maps were used there and you’re not loading and applying them in ZBrush?
If I am reading you correctly, you are importing an .OBJ with different groups, but it is exporting out of ZBrush as one group?..
Go to ‘Tool > Export’ and enable the ‘Grp’ button (Export Sub Groups).
Also, go to ‘Preferences > Importexport > Import’ and enable ‘Import Polygroups’ and ‘Import Mat As Groups’.
This seems to be the info I am looking for, but when trying your suggestion, the surfaces/materials and the UV are still getting lost in ZB import/export.
I really appreciate all the replies!
For example, I start in Daz with any model, and the Daz Surface Editor lists ‘surfaces’: Hair, face, iris, nostril, etc. From Daz, I export an obj, with ‘write groups and materials’ enabled. The Daz-exported obj loads fine into Lightwave where again the Surface Editor lists the same surfaces, and all texture maps applied. I can take the model exported either from Daz or LW and also load into Deep Exploration where all materials load fine.
But if I export an obj from Daz, LW, (or Pinocchio) and import into ZB, I do not see the list of surfaces/groups/materials anywhere (?). The material loader only accepts a zmt file, and not an mtl. And if I then export the obj from ZB, and load it in LW, the materials and UV are gone.
So, how do you keep the original materials and UV intact thru a basic import/export in ZB?
Similar thread/question,answer.
IF the grouping information is correct, polygroups should show (when enabled).
You could use group split into subtools.
It doesn’t read or import .mtl files. (I read why someplace on here or in docs, maybe why bother?).
You can recreate many materials and tweak them but not all that you wish I’m sure.
The less ‘back and forth between softwares’ the better.
What do you intend to do with the model? Animate, still render, game use?
If you have ‘Import Mat As Groups’ selected in Preferences then ZBrush will see those material assignments and convert them to polygroups. In ZBrush, you can assign a different Zbrush material to each polygroup. ZBrush does export the UV map along with the OBJ and with ‘Grp’ enabled in ‘Tool > Export’, will export the polygroup assignmrnts. Perhaps you can turn off ‘Mrg’ (Merge UV cords) in ‘Tool > Export’ to see if it helps. Maybe you have to change import setting in your other apps. I don’t use Daz Studio or Lightwave, so I can’t help you there.
I think I’m getting close, thanks to your help.
The original UV is remaining intact afterall, after import/export in ZB (didnt seem correct at first). I have ‘Import Mat As Groups’ enabled, and there is only one UV, with multiple surfaces/groups. With Polyframe enabled, the groups appear to be separated correctly in the display. But under Polygroups, I dont see anything that indicates a list of current groups. That is only be about creating new groups.
Under Subtools, I click Group Split, and FINALLY I see a list of groups. But then export only allows export of the currently selected group. How do I ‘select all groups’ or ‘export all groups’ as one mesh/object?
Btw, I am searching extensively for these solutions before asking, but I can find no mention of anyone concerned with maintaining materials on an imported obj, in docs, tuts or forums.
Go to ‘Tool > Subtool > Merge’, turn ‘Weld’ off if it is on. Make sure all your subtools are visible then click ‘Merge Visible’. It will create a ZTool with the prefix “Merged_”. Now you can export the whole thing. Make sure that ‘Grp’ is selected in ‘Tool > Export’.
Well shoot, the surfaces/groups are still lost when I load the ‘Merged_’ version in LW, Daz, or Deep EX. I have to think there is something odd in the way ZB is exporting obj. And I tried exporting with ‘Mrg’ on or off. The ‘Merged_’ version does load with the groups intact in ZB, just not in other apps. In 17 years of using LW, I’ve never had trouble with obj from any source.
I have to look at if the GoZ interchange makes a difference, between ZB and LW.
I use Hexagon, Blender and Vue Infinite, and exported a merged DemoSoldier ztool and, as you can see, the groups exported just fine. I have never had any problem with ZBrush exporting groups.
I see that Blender sees the groups exported from ZB. I dont know why LW does not. Obj models from dozens of sources, load into LW with groups interpreted as LW surfaces, just not any obj exported from ZB.
Like I said, I don’t use Lightwave but, unless you have obj import settings in Lightwave that might be specific to ZBrush, then GoZ for Lightwave might be the only way.
I have to update my ZB, as GoZ is not recognizing LW. I have to come back to this later. For some reason, LW is usually the red-haired freckled kid that no one wants to deal with.
As often happens, in the days it may take to find an answer thru forums, I have already moved onto another solution. This is a problem when working off site. In an office full of collaborators, I can just turn around and say, ‘Hey, does anyone know…?’ and I usually get an answer in minutes.
But its good to see forum-goers are so helpful here!