ZBrushCentral

Projection and Masking - Any workflow ideas?

ZBrush Usage Questions
#1

Hey Guys.

I have a bit of questions and general theory problems with Zbrush that i thought maybe you guys could help me with.

First of, the new layers system in Zbrush 4:
Is there anyway to save layers if you modified a mesh with Goz? Example:
I have a model that i worked on for a decent amount of time, making great use of the layers. At one point i could decide to make some edge loops at a specific place to increase detail there. But after i get back into Zbrush i loose my layers?
the new model is projected fine, but all layer information is lost. Any workaround?

I would also like to know if their is any way of only projecting certain areas of a target mesh? say i create a model with no hands or feet for some reason. Later i use GoZ to create the hands and feet for the base mesh. When re projecting the sculpting detail from the original mesh, you get really weird results at the new feet or hands, or whatever you added to the mesh, so my question is, is there a way to mask off or do something to ensure that parts of the mesh is not getting projection information?

I am especially wondering about the whole GoZ workflow. In the demo video Pixo made a while ago about GoZ, you clearly see new geometry being added directly on the exported mesh, and when re-imported, the detailing is still there, except for where the new geo is. This doesn’t seem to work for me. Any suggestions? ( i am using Maya Btw)

ah so many questions and so little time :slight_smile:

i thank everyone who might have any ideas, thoughts or who can simply point out that i am a fool and hopefully doing it all wrong.

Many Thanks!

Rune Rask

#2

  1. Layers: these rely on the point count and order remaining the same - they are similar to morph targets. If you add new geometry the layers have no reference to that data which is why they are lost. If it is essential to keep the layers you would have to clone your mesh before using GoZ, then append the clone after GoZ and use Project All to project the layer info on to new layers.

  2. If you store a Morph Target before project you can use the Morph brush to restore areas to their previous state, cleaning up or removing the projection as necessary.

I regret I don’t know enough about GoZ to help with that. Hopefully someone else will help out.