Magnets and Edge loops aren't working

[system]

Using 4R3
I am trying to go through a Zsphere tutorial, but I’m running into a few issues that I hope someone better with Zbrush can help me understand ;>
I’m pretty new to Zbrush so any help would be greatly appreciated! I’ve gotta ramp up quick, ha ha

I’ve created the basic shape of the creature in zspheres and it looks pretty good.
Prob 1: When I click A to preview the mesh, I don’t have ‘Divide’ in the Geometry tab. Where I should see it, I see ‘Crease’.
Prob 2: When I set a Zsphere into another Zsphere to create an edge loop, in Zsphere mode it looks like it’s recessed, but when I preview the mesh (A) there’s a bump instead of the intended recess.
Prob 3: When I try to create a magnet, I create the Zsphere, hold ALT and click the Zsphere chain. I see the little white box with the ‘-’ sign and it appears that the magnet gets created correctly. However, when I preview the mesh, it just looks like an additional Zsphere was added. The existing geometry being pulled by the magnet is not there, just the extra geometry of the Zsphere.

Sorry for the long load of questions, but I’ve scoured the forums and can’t seem to find the answers. Thanks for any help!

[aurick]

ZSphere meshes are not true geometry until you actually skin the model. While you’re turning on the preview, that’s exactly what it is: a preview. As a result, the majority of the functions in the Geometry menu will not work and are unavailable. To set the number of subdivision levels you use Tool>Adaptive Skin>Density. Once that has been done you can step up and down the subdivision levels like normal. (Do not use the Resolution slider for this.)

For your other two questions, you need to turn on Tool>Adaptive Skin>Use Classic Skinning. This is because inset and attractor ZSpheres are a ZSpheres I feature and not compatible with ZSpheres II. The second iteration of ZSpheres is more user friendly and tolerant when it comes to positioning your ZSpheres, but the trade off is that you don’t have access to the advanced features that you’re trying to use.

[system]

ZSphere meshes are not true geometry until you actually skin the model. While you’re turning on the preview, that’s exactly what it is: a preview. As a result, the majority of the functions in the Geometry menu will not work and are unavailable. To set the number of subdivision levels you use Tool>Adaptive Skin>Density. Once that has been done you can step up and down the subdivision levels like normal. (Do not use the Resolution slider for this.)

For your other two questions, you need to turn on Tool>Adaptive Skin>Use Classic Skinning. This is because inset and attractor ZSpheres are a ZSpheres I feature and not compatible with ZSpheres II. The second iteration of ZSpheres is more user friendly and tolerant when it comes to positioning your ZSpheres, but the trade off is that you don’t have access to the advanced features that you’re trying to use.

That’s so cool of you to answer my questions! Thanks so much!

I’ll try what you suggested. Thanks again!

[system]

ZSphere meshes are not true geometry until you actually skin the model. While you’re turning on the preview, that’s exactly what it is: a preview. As a result, the majority of the functions in the Geometry menu will not work and are unavailable. To set the number of subdivision levels you use Tool>Adaptive Skin>Density. Once that has been done you can step up and down the subdivision levels like normal. (Do not use the Resolution slider for this.)

For your other two questions, you need to turn on Tool>Adaptive Skin>Use Classic Skinning. This is because inset and attractor ZSpheres are a ZSpheres I feature and not compatible with ZSpheres II. The second iteration of ZSpheres is more user friendly and tolerant when it comes to positioning your ZSpheres, but the trade off is that you don’t have access to the advanced features that you’re trying to use.

Unfortunately it doesn’t seem to have done the trick.

With respect to the indented ZSpheres/Edgeloops thing here’s what I noticed:
If I create the ZSphere #1 and then go into edit, I can create Zsphere #2 and indent it, and the indention is correct.

If however, I create Zsphere #1, then add Zsphere #2 (say, the “snout”) if I then try and create Zsphere #3 and indent it, the indention doesn’t work, and I wind up with a lump, rather than an indention.

The behavior is the same whether I have classic skinning turned on or off.

Thanks again for your help! I really appreciate any advice you can give!

[aurick]

Unfortunately it doesn’t seem to have done the trick.

With respect to the indented ZSpheres/Edgeloops thing here’s what I noticed:
If I create the ZSphere #1 and then go into edit, I can create Zsphere #2 and indent it, and the indention is correct.

If however, I create Zsphere #1, then add Zsphere #2 (say, the “snout”) if I then try and create Zsphere #3 and indent it, the indention doesn’t work, and I wind up with a lump, rather than an indention.

The behavior is the same whether I have classic skinning turned on or off.

Thanks again for your help! I really appreciate any advice you can give!

The very first ZSphere is not a true ZSphere. It’s called the Root and is a placeholder. It does not actually contribute to the geometry at all. (Which is why if you don’t cap both sides of it, you get a hollow end.)

[system]

The very first ZSphere is not a true ZSphere. It’s called the Root and is a placeholder. It does not actually contribute to the geometry at all. (Which is why if you don’t cap both sides of it, you get a hollow end.)

Oh, okay, thanks! Do you have any idea why the indentation only works on the first Zsphere, but not after I start adding the rest of them?

Again, your help is really appreciated!