ZBrushCentral

Too much weight working on an hard surface model, why?

ZBrush Usage Questions
#1

hello guys,

In those days I am working on an hard surface model.
I am experimenting that, even if the subtools are not so much (almost 15 pieces), the weight of the project is very hig: 1.142.000 KB, so the first question is: Is this weight too much for a model composed by a low number of sub tools?

Consiedr that, at that point, I have just started. I can’t imagine the final amount of KB that will compose the mesh at the end!!!

The way I work is the follow:
I am extracting sub tools masking them from a concept mesh (a dynamesh about 300.000 polys) and then polishing every piece with various techniques: clip curve, Hpolish and so on.

If I need more detail, I subdivide the mesh. One, two or three time. Not more. So I have sub tools that start from 50.000 to 60.000 polys and others that are more thick, about 200.000, 600.000 polys.
Generally I use poly polygroups meshes, If necessary I add GroupLoops or Edgeloops. Other times I auto group the polygroups. I noticed that if I transform them in dynamesh, then they result in more heavy object in therms of KB weight.

I described the way I work just to help u to figure what I am doing. Maybe there is somethig wrong in my methods.

Finally, I think the weight of my project is too much.

Don’t sure if I am right or not.

Some one could help me, please?

Thanks for the attention and best regards

matteo

#2

May be, are you saving your projects with the UndoHistory activated? This increases a lot the file size

#3

Not sure I understand the question. Project files can reach about 2 GB. Not saving undo history can reduce the size and I believe reducing all subtools to the lowest subdivision level also. Ever tried to work without Dynamesh?

#4

Saving without undo history was a huge difference for me. If i’m not mistaken a file that was around 200mb was reduced to 16, with the undo history turned off so give it a try. Another thing you can do is to decimate each subtool once you are happy with the final shape. This can be a huge space saver too.

#5

Most of the time it’s better to save the model as a Ztool (ZTL) instead of saving the entire Project (ZPR). But it really depends on what you’re doing and what information you need saved. ZTL files are just a single tool (with all subtools included). ZPR files include all the subtools and depending on settings undo history, these files can get very large very quickly and easily, even with small subtools.