ZBrushCentral

Masking

ZBrush Usage Questions
#1

Hi there,

after a couple of weeks I´m grappling with zBrush, no I do understand a little more of this software - I´m one of those 3.0-deniers, working on a Mac. In other words: I run only 2.03

A question: I just imported a dxf-model, what is really flat (imagine a box with a small height).

I want to work only at ONE side of this model, protecting or not affecting the back side.

If I try to mask the front side, for example with the masking rectangle, always both sides, front AND back, are affected.

Is there a function in zBrush 2, what makes me able only to work on the FRONT side of a (flat) model? (I must NOT mask, my question counts for normal brushing, too)

Sorry for my poor english, I´m german and not really good in phrasing english.

Viele Grüße

Stephan

#2

u can try the projection master making the model sideways and turn the doublesided off or try display in the tool pannel keeping the double side off…

#3

you should be able to select/hide the one side you want, look at your box/flat from the side an hide everything at the bottom, make sure you polygroup what is visible to make it easier when you have to unhide/rehide.

#4

Hi there,

first: thank you for your reply, but this does not solve my problem, because my model is a bit more complex than only a flat box (I just compared it, so that you can imagine, what I want).

So, if I understood it right way, there is no possibility do edit a flat object only one-sided? Here is a screen shot of my dxf 1.jpg

I just want to enhance some parts of the inner side, keeping the outer form.

No idea? Or have I to switch back to my good old c4d?

Thanks for your trouble helping me,

Stephan

#5

In C4D or whatever app was used to create the model, assign different grouping so that the inner and outer surfaces are different polygon groups.

Back in ZBrush you will then be able to Ctrl+Shift+Click on the side that you want to work with. The other side will be hidden and so won’t be affected by your edits.

Taking it a step forward, you can also use a different approach. Ctrl+Shift+Click on the side you want to protect. That will hide the side you want to edit. Now Ctrl+Click on the canvas to mask the visible polygons. Then Ctrl+Shift+Click on the canvas to return to full visibility. You’ll now be able to see the whole model while you work, but one surface will be masked and protected from your edits.

#6

Hi Aurick,

thanks for your effort, but I´m too stupid, it seems:

  1. I create two different selections in cinema for front and backside polygons

  2. I export the mesh as .obj (I tried it with .dxf, too)

  3. I import in zBrush

  4. I make it editable by pressing »T« and place it in front on the canvas

  5. CTRL-Shift-clicking (the selected tool is »Edit« and »Draw«) results in nothing

  6. Masking does only work for the whole mesh as ever

Can it depend on my 2.03-version? Exporting two different meshes makes no sense, because I cannot merge them together

I´m just a bit frustrated, because I have a great mind to learn zBrush, but I don´t want to create the monster-head no. 2564…

Hope, you can help me

Thanks und viele Grüße

Stephan

#7

As I recall, polygon selections do not export out of C4D. They’re an internal thing. You need to actually create different groups. This is normally done by breaking the model into different objects, which can then be grouped under the same null so that you can interact with them together.

#8

Hi Aurick,

thanks a lot for your help - you are right, making polygon selections is an internal thing in c4d.

But breaking the model in different objects seems very complicated and arduous to me, I think, this job will keep an absolute c4d-job, that´s a pity.

Don´t misunderstand me - I´m not a guy who wants for every problem a special button. Professionals have to find a technique, how they solve their problems, so do I.

But it is, in my opinion, a lack in zBrush, that you can not differ between front and back polygons, because 3D does not only exist in modelling fruits, monsters and symmetrical swords…

Do you know, if the unseen and miraculous version 3.0 for Mac solves this problem? :slight_smile:

Greetings and a good time,

Stephan

#9

As a matter of fact, it does. ZBrush 3 has a feature called Backface Masking. When you turn it on, edits made to the mesh will only affect the side that you’re working on – even if the other face is mere pixels away.

So yes, we’ve seen a need. And you should be enjoying it soon. :slight_smile: