ZBrushCentral

Storing masks

ZBrush Usage Questions
#1

I was wondering if there is any way to save selection masks and recall and apply them as needed. For instance:

  1. mask off an area and work on it.
  2. Save that selection set.
  3. clear mask and mask off another area.
  4. work that area.
  5. save that mask (the saving could be done either before or after the working)
  6. clear the mask and go back and load the original mask and re-work that area.

Is this kind of thing possible in ZBrush 1.55b?

3D Studio mask has something like this with “selection sets”. Am I missing something in ZBrush or is it not there?

#2

I believe the current method is to Tool :small_orange_diamond:Selection :small_orange_diamond:Create Alpha for each of your selections. Applying them again is of course with Tool :small_orange_diamond:Selection :small_orange_diamond:Alp.

Hope that helps.

#3

Yep that works like a champ! Thanks. :slight_smile:

#4

Yeah, that kinda works. It doesnt recreat the mask EXACTLY but its better then nothing.

#5

MTB: You have to be sure to set Alpha :small_orange_diamond:Alpha Blur to 0, or else when you reapply the alpha it will blur.

I’m hoping this system might be expanded in a future version of Zbrush. I’m especially looking for a way to combine 2 selection maps so that they merge, instead of as now, they either overwrite the current selection or “blend” and don’t create a black/white merged selection.

#6

You should also note that as masks are done on a polygon basis, they are sensitive to changes in polygon density so won’t survive through divides.

#7

Yeah, but it’s better than nothing. :slight_smile:

#8

It would also be cool if we could paint and store Stencils on-the-fly (i.e. with the scene visible) – though I realize the stencil’s wrap mode might complicate things

#9

The alpha is very precise if Blur is ‘0’. You can paint a mask precisely, store it as an alpha, and apply it to a different or cloned tool. I have gone to the extreme of editing pixels in PS and re-importing the alpha until the selection was just right. I wish ZBrush made precise polygon selection easier.

#10

Cool thanks!!

#11

informative thread and good subject,also make alphas, textures and increase size(clone),then reapply(make alpha).

#12

There is no “selection” under tool menu now. How is this done with 3.1?

#13

Actually I found an answer in an other thread referring to the masking palette, I was just momentarily blind I guess. But I found a bit of an issue too. I have AUV tiles on my model, when I store the mask to alpha I get black lines in the grid. When I mask by alpha to bring it back I get the lines showing up on my model. I will be searching for other discussions that may have talked about this but if anyone knows I would love a tip here.