ZBrushCentral

Mask By Alpha when using Transpose Master?

ZBrush Usage Questions
#1

Hi,

Is there anyway to use Mask By Alpha when using Transpose Master? It works fine outside of Transpose Master, but when I press TPoseMesh the Mask By Alpha option is greyed out under Masking. This would be really useful to use as I need to mask off some tricky areas for a facial expression. Trying to hide these areas by selection is a real pain.

Also what’s happened to the Lasso tool selection? I eventually found it under the Stroke palette and managed to get it to work once, but I’ve been trying again and all I get is the usual Rectangular selection.

Thanks.

#2

not sure on mask by alpha, but you can change your masking type by holding ctrl and clicking on your brush palette icon, this will bring up all the possible options for brushes that mask. Simply select the lasso version and you’re all set. Sometime it takes 1 quick mask to update to the lasso from the marquee.

#3

Thanks. Strangely enough I got it to mask using the Lasso now, but not select - previously I couldn’t get it to mask :confused: In the older versions 2.5 and 3, etc. there used to be the simple option of being able to just select which one you wanted to use by clicking on an icon. Now it just seems a bit convoluted to me.

#4

The mask by alpha option is not available for Transpose Master because the plugin does not keep UV mapping when combining the mesh. If it’s essential for you to work with it you could do it this way:

  1. Set all your subtool to subdivision level 1.
  2. Make sure Tool>SubTool>Uv is ON in the ‘Merge’ section and turn OFF Weld.
  3. Press Tool>SubTool>Merge Visible.
  4. Select the merged mesh and pose as if it was a TM combined mesh.
  5. When done, export as a GoZ complete Binary format (select from the file type dropdown in the Save dialog).
  6. Switch back to your original model and then press the TPoseMesh button to create a TM combined mesh.
  7. Import the GoZ file you exported at (5).
  8. Press TPose>SubT to transfer the pose.

On theLasso, I wrote a little plugin a while ago which you may find useful:
Lasso selection

HTH,

#5

Fantastic. Thanks Marcus.

Though when merging the subtools, will this change the point order? The reason I as is that some of the subtools will be set up as morph targets in Max. That is I need to then take them back into Max and use the as morph targets for meshes.

Thanks again :slight_smile:

#6

All should be good but I suggest you test out the process before spending time on it (as well as back up models, of course).

Also, I forgot to mention that you should turn off Weld in the Tool>SubTool>Weld section before merging the subtools.

#7

Thanks for that. Should come in very handy Marcus :+1:

Thanks Marcus. Works perfectly :smiley: