ZBrushCentral

how to select faces while excluding non camera-visible ones

ZBrush Usage Questions
#1

hello

i am just getting going with zbrush and am having some basic problems that are holding me up.

i am trying to select a few faces on a polymesh, make them visible, and then create polygroups from the visible faces in order to create loop groups.

i am holding down ctrl+shift - and creating a selection box over the desired faces (which is green) and then letting go of shift (which makes the selection box red) - but i end up hiding faces on the back of my mesh as well that i do not want to hide.

is there a way do have the selection disregard any faces not visible by the “camera” ? i have hunted for some sort of backface culling selection option but have not found anything.

i find also that i have problems selecting the exact faces that i want even when i have my selection box pretty darn accurately around the faces i want to select. do the z intensity, focal shift, or draw size parameters have play into selection as well ?

i have done a bit of digging on the forum for answers - and apologize in advance if i simply didn’t find them elsewhere - but any and all assistance would be greatly appreciated !

thank you.

#2

Hi, welcome to ZBC. :slight_smile:

Using the Lasso selection makes selecting polygons much easier. Turn it on towards the bottom right of the UI.

  1. To select a group of polygons and hide the rest Ctrl+Shift+drag the selection, then release the pen/mouse button while the selection is green. (As you found, releasing Shift first will reverse the result.)
  2. Switch on polyframes (Shift+F) so you can see the polygons.
  3. Turning on Tool>Display Properties>Double will show both sides of polygons, making it simpler to select the ones you want.
  4. Sometimes it can be easier to hide the polygons you want first. For example, position your model side on and drag a rectangle over half, hiding the other half. Now use the lasso to isolate the polygons so you’re left with the just the ones you don’t want(!) Finally Ctrl+Shift+click on the mesh - the selection will be reversed.
  5. Create a polygroup by pressing Tool>Polygroups>Group Visible.

Tip: When selecting single faces you only need to include one point to select the whole face.

HTH,

#3

hello marcus

thank you for the prompt reply to my question !

your advice was solid and i have a better grasp of poly selection for creating poly groups.

much appreciation.