Hi,
I am using Photoshop CS (yes, that old, I know, but it worked with Zbrush 4R8 perfectly). In the new Zbrush2018 I get this message when using Zapplink. Photoshop says “Can’t open because it is not the right kind of document” when sending it to Photoshop.
Why does this happen? How can I fix it?
Thank you.
The Photoshop version shouldn’t be a problem. The basic code of ZAppLink has not changed. Have you installed any extra plugins for 2018 that are from earlier versions? And do you have antivirus software that might stop writing to the Public/Documents/ZBrushData2018 folders?
I am also having problems with ZApplink in ZBrush 2018. The document does not open in Photoshop CS5 Extended. Nothing happens. It works OK in 4R8 and the extra plugins I have in ZBrush 2018 are the same ones I have in 4R8. It opens the application but there isn’t any document transferred.
A bit more information would be useful. What OS are you using? What extra plugins? Does removing the extra plugins make any difference ? (It’s possible that plugins that work OK in 4R8 will cause a conflict in 2018.)
Thanks,
Hi Marcus,
I’m using Windows 7 Pro. I only have 2 extra plugins. Middle Button and Axis Tool Position. I removed both plugins and I still get the same result.
Hi zber2,
Many thanks, that’s useful. As I can’t reproduce this error I’m going to need to test further. I’ll send you a PM.
Marcus,
I did notice a difference in one file in ZAppLinkData folder between 4R8 and ZBrush 2018.
The file “folder.TXT” for 4R8 had this contents… C:\Users\Public\Documents
The file “folder.TXT” for ZBrush 2018 had this contents… plugin folder
Hi zber2,
Yes, that’s not relevant - the folder.txt file is created solely so that the plugin can confirm the folder exists and can be written to.
I suspect this is a path issue but at the moment I don’t know what’s happening as whatever I try ZAppLink still works for me. 
I am able to load the PSD file manually in Photoshop after the files are created in the ZAppLinkData folder, then when I save the file in Photoshop, ZBrush will pick it up with the changes I made.
Thanks zber2, that’s very useful. I’ll look into what might be going wrong with the path.
Marcus,
I don’t know if this will help you or not, but when I use Corel Photo Paint (which works with 4R8) as the target app, I get an “Invalid File Name” error message after ZAppLink opens Photo Paint. No error messages with Photoshop. Again, I can open the PSD manually and save.
Many thanks zber2,
This confirms what I had suspected - that the problem lies with a malformed file path. It’s a puzzle as to why it should only affect some people but I’m looking into it…
Thank you. I will try disabling my antiviruses and yes I have some plugins installed. But with same plugins and same antivirus, it works on ZBrush4R8
Hi Jordi,
Many thanks. Yes, it looks as though it’s a problem with the file path that the plugin is sending to Photoshop. I’m looking into it.