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Importing from Max

ZBrush Usage Questions
#1

Question about importing…
I have a 3D Max Character complete with about 8 separate objects (head, shirt, pants, boots, etc.). I have exported these objects as separate OBJ files. So I have 8 obj files ready to import into ZBrush.

My problem is that Im having difficultly importing these objects into ZBrush because ZBrush wants me to draw each object as a new object and its difficult to draw them so they align exactly in the position they were in max. I also want them to be sepatate SUBTools but I find this difficult to setup as well.

Is it possible for me to export all 8 pieces into 1 OBJ file, import this file into ZBrush and ZBrush automaticly sets up each object as a subtool? If not, what is the best way to import these items?

#2

yes, it’s very simple

export out one OBJ file with everything in it.
then draw that one the canvas
go into edit mode
tool>polygroups>auto group
tool>subtool>group split
I think group split creates a crease…but just in case it doesn’t
tool>geometry>crease (do this before adding subD’s)

autogroup will take every element from max and make it a different polygroup
then group split will split all of those into different subtools

if your 8 different pieces have their own elements in them, then the easiest way is to get subtool master

then import a single piece (head for example)
then click on subtool master>multi append>then select all the obj’s. They will all import in the correct location as well as being their own subtools.

#3

Thanks for replying! Your suggestion looks like it will work, but I’ve encountered a new problem that will delay testing your suggestion. Im typing the new problem I have now, called “Low Poly to High Poly and Max Problem”

#4

You don’t have to “draw” all the objs into position. Just load all 8 into zbrush (make sure you click off each one, to another tool, so you can load the next - otherwise ZB thinks you want to load over the present one), draw one down and then add the others as sub-tools. Then it will position them correctly, as they were in Max. This is of course dependent that all the seperate parts are placed correctly in Max.

#5

any chance to bring the subtools as one element back to MAX 2010 ?
Subtoolmaster export obj’s for each subtool…

#6

there is…but it probably wont give you what you wat when you import back into Zbrush.

Run some tests and see if it works for you.

Plugins>transpose master>TposeMesh.
This will combine all of the subtools at their lowest subD level.
after this action happens export out that model.
you now have one obj file that contains all of your meshes.

The problem here is that you have to keep them all as one object when inside of Max. You then also have to keep Zbrush open while you do the UV’s etc, once you’re done with that you have to import over the TposeMesh and complete the Transpose master action (the second button in the pallete) if you want to keep all of your subtools so you can work on them independantly inside of Zbrush again.

Your better off looking for a custom importer for max 2010 that will allow you to import multiple obj files at once. I don’t use max anymore but I’m sure someone somewhere wrote one.