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sculpt non-destructively with morph target and multiple layers?

ZBrush Usage Questions
#1

Hi folks,

I am new to zbrush and trying to figure out an efficient non-destructive workflow to add details to a hard-surface character that is already poly-modeled in Maya with designed shape. I just want to add some scratches, bent edges, and some details in Zbrush (no major form change or re-design).

I subdivide a subtool to level 6 and store a morph target (the hard surface character contains more than a hundred subtools if all appended in). I then create a layer (call it layer A) to sculpt some details. So now as my understanding the morph target and layer A is linked to subdivide level 6 and I can try out sculpting details and morph back to the original designed shape. I really enjoy this part as long as all following layers are created at level 6.

The problem comes when I further subdivide. When I subdivide the subtool further to level 7 and sculpt more details with a newly-created layer B, I then lose the freedom to morph back to the original designed shape that is stored as level 6 morph target. I know I can completely delete the layer B (level 7), but what if I already spent hours on layer B and want to keep some scratches/scars done in layer B?

Is there a way to work non-destructively in this situation where you have sculpted details across layers of different subdivide level and the morph target is stored at a lower subdivide level?

Thanks! I will really appreciate to hear any insight or comments.

#2

If your model outline (shape) doesn’t change then just subdivide to 7 and then start working with morph target and layers. You can still work on lower layers.

If you want to create layers and/or morph target with what you currently have but need to subdivide you can duplicate the tool and look into the Project All feature.

#3

Thank you for the input. If sculpting details at level 6 or 7 across all subtools, I am facing an issue of polycount limitation. As there are over a hundred of subtools for the character, I have tried to subdivide only key subtools (the ones I definitely want to add scratches/dents/etc.) to level 6. Sooner or later I hit 50+ million of Total Points Count, and the viewport lose its interactivity. This is without sculpting layers per subtool. Any suggestions on this?

Maybe I can store a morph target at level 6 for going back to a subtool’s original shape and create a mask for layer 7 to keep some details selectively? I am looking for an option to going back a subtool’s original form non-destructively and selectively. If it is doable across multiple sculpt layers, that’s awesome.

Overall, I just want to add interesting beat-up details to the hard-surface character whose overall design/shape is decided and UV already laid-out. The sculpted details will be exported as displacement/normal map for rendering.

cheers,
Jason