ZBrushCentral

Need URGENT help: zsphere and adaptive skin problem (answered)

ZBrush Usage Questions
#1

Hello all! :slight_smile:

I am creating my art exam piece in zbrush, and it was all fine and dandy until one day zbrush didn’t want to cooperate with me.

I was Zsphere modelling the figure with adaptive skin density set to 4. I used to check out the smoothness in other levels, but mainly previewed everything at level 4. The modelling went on smoothly so far (I’m still quite new at zbrush, but am getting the hang of it), one day I saved the tool and the next day I opened it up to continue working. This is where the problem came up for no reason.

Whenever I try to even SLIGHTLY move a zsphere (at density level 4 and above) , the skinning is totally ruined, instead of smooth skin I get jagged edgy thingies poking out everywhere. BUT once I turn down to density 3 I can continue modelling as usual, without any major worries. Problem is, density 3 is too low for me :frowning:

I’ll illustrate what I mean:

Before:

before.JPG

I’ve played around with a gazzilion settings and nothing worked, I even tried reinstalling zbrush but that didn’t help either. I’d be really thankful if someone could help me fix this, because my exam deadline is haunting me :frowning:

P.S. I’ve checked the older threads and I might have missed an answer to the problem…so if i did miss something please throw in a link.

Attachments

after.JPG

#2

Low preview density doesn’t really matter much because you can always subdivide later. If you have “Use Classic Skinning” on, then turn it off and see if that allows you to raise your Preview density.

#3

never sculpt on a zsphere mesh unless you’re not going to edit the zphere chains. if you want to sculpt on the mesh you need to convert it into a skin before you edit it.

#4

I thought about subdividing the mesh later, but that option is unavailable. And I tried playing around with the classic skinning option but it didn’t help me out either.

Ah I learned that zsphere rule the hard way, but I never sculpted on this particular project, I only modelled the body with zspheres. I kept previewing and previewing, and as I mentioned earlier, one day blam-o, zbrush didn’t want to work with me anymore :rolleyes:

does anyone have any other ideas? I have an exam plan B, but it would be an AWFUL shame to lose the model i was working on, because it looked pretty decent

#5

Without seeing the ZTL its impossible to say what has happened. But there is absolutely no need to model with the Density set above 2 (the default). You say that you only get the problem with Density set to 4, so set it lower. ZSpheres are primarily intended for making a base mesh which is subdivided later for detailed sculpting. So this should be your workflow:

  1. Construct your ZSphere model with the Density set to 2. Note that when ZSpheres show transparent you will have problems with the skinned mesh, so if this happens re-arrange the ZSpheres.
  2. Preview to check the progress of your skinned mesh.
  3. When you are happy with the ZSphere model, press Tool>Adaptive Skin>Make Adaptive Skin.
  4. Make sure you select the skinned version of your mesh in the Tool palette. You will then be able to subdivide further to add sculpted detail.
#6

Yes I know that a low density is more than enough, but you see when I preview the model at, let’s say density 2, the model’s too boxy, i need to see the smooth version. But now if I model at density 1-2, everything’s alright until I turn up the density and see a jaggy model.

Anyway, the method you gave works :slight_smile: though I’m still wondering why that adaptive skin preview thingy gets so screwed up, I don’t think there are any “hidden” zspheres, and I didn’t sculpt on the mesh…hm…