ZBrushCentral

Saving Masks

ZBrush Usage Questions
#1

Hi,

is there any easy way of saving a mask drawn using the CTRL Key for later use ?

Example: I create a intricate network of lines on a mesh that has already been modified and painted with the the usual scultpting tools as well as polypainting.

I know for sure that I will need to reuse this Mask later on. But how can I save it. My current workflow is saving the current tool. Fllooding the whole thing whith white color. Flooding the masked area with black. Create a Texture from these colored polys and export it. Then I reload my real mesh with its real colormap and apply the mask again via “Mask by Alpha”.

But is there a easier way of temporarily saving the current polymask for later reuse during the painting session ? Because I"m usually saving out tons of Masks for later use (not just in Zbrush but in Photoshop as well) and it is becoming a time factor.

Thanx,
Jens.

#2

Yes. The way I do it is first make sure that your model has UV’s applied. Now convert the mask to alpha then you can export that alpha as a texture for later use.
The only strange thing that happens to me when I do that is when I re-apply the texture the regular alpha shows up, but then there’s always some kind of anomolies like seems left between the UV’s that I have to clean up. It still works though.

You just have to import your texture back into the alpha channel then use the alpha to mask function.

Just figured out a quck fix. After you import your alpha, use the alpha to texture function. After applying it as a texture, use the fix seems function. Now just use the texture to alpha function to apply it as an alpha again. Now just use the alpha to mask function and it should look good now.

Now read over this again quickly 10 times, lol.

#3

Jesus Christ. Now I feel stupid. Now that you say it:
I don’t know how I missed this big button labeled clearly
“Create Alpha” in the Masking Menu. Now that happens if you don’t even bother to read the labels any more …

Thanx a lot Woody. I go now and bang my head against my cintiq … :idea:

jens

#4

…convert to texture, fix seams, back to alpha. I hate to think of how much time I might have wasted trying to figure that out on my own. Thanks!

#5

THanks guys this works well. A lot of steps but it works.

#6

thank you very much that helped al lot.