Hi, first time user.
I’m working on a sculpt, but whenever I try activating transparency, it instead hides everything else. Kind of like solo.
I’m not sure what’s causing this, as it acts normally in a fresh scene.
Transparency off:
Transparency on:
Also, I have transparency mapped to ALT+Z combination. which seemed to be free when I did the mapping
Hello @Afeso
Be sure to upgrade to the most recent version of Zbrush–currently 2020–before troubleshooting issues. Out of date versions are not officially supported, and there are too many variables associated with troubleshooting obsolete versions.
In Zbrush 2020, I’ve tried a number of different ways to reproduce this issue, but havent managed it yet. This doesn’t happen under under normal circumstances. There are a number of places where you can adjust the transparency of objects in transparency mode, but most of these result in a change of the appearance of the transparency, not making other tools disappear altogether.
A couple things to be aware of.
If this behavior is only happening when you try to navigate around the model or transform it, it could be due to Solo Dynamic mode. You’ll notice there’s a toggle for dynamic mode at the top of the solo button. It doesnt appear to be active in your screenshot, but if it is, Zbrush will apply the solo mode behavior when rotating or transforming your model, even if the Solo button itself is not active.
Not your problem, since your version is out of date, but in the new version there are a number of new visibility features that may make inactive subtools appear on a different part of the screen.
Otherwise, I can only suggest basic troubleshooting here. Upgrade your program first.
Close and restart Zbrush, and in an entirely new session (not with your previous file loaded) attempt to activate transparency on one of the tools that comes with Lightbox, like the demo soldier. If it works as expected here, then we know that you know how to do it, and we know that Zbrush can do it. If it fails here as well, there may be an issue with your installation, and you may need to contact support.
Assuming it works there, now open your file, and load the same tool into that project. Attempt to activate transparency on it.
If it works as expected on the new tool, but still doesnt work on your other tool, then the issue is likely with the original tool itself, and you have to determine how they are different.
If transparency fails to work on the lightbox tool as well in the new file, even though it worked previously, then the problem may be with the file itself and the way you have something set up, though Im not sure what this could be off the top of my head.
Good luck!
Hi @Spyndel
Thanks a lot for taking your time to respond. looks like it might be a my version, or even my hardware since I have an older system.
tranzparency with the demo soldier works on a fresh scene works. but when in add that tool to the current project, the solo like behavior comes back.
Thanks once again.
This is very useful information! Thank you. This verifies it is likely not an installation/hardware issue (transparency works fine under normal circumstances.) It also assures me that you know how to activate transparency, and that you know what it looks like.
The fact that a successful tool fails to work as expected when imported into that project file, suggests to me this is likely something to do with the way you have your scene set up that neither of us are spotting just yet.
To verify this, export your problem tool from your project file (Tool > Save As, not to be confused with File > Save as). Open that tool in a completely fresh program session ( not into your problem scene). See if transparency works on it there.
Hello @Spyndel
sorry for the late response.
so I tried what you suggested. I opened the demo soldier, and using Load Tool. Transparency worked for a while, and then reverted to the solo like behavior (didn’t do much besides actually using the standard brush.
Then I restarted zbrush, opened the demo soldier again, and this time I used the Load Tools From Project option, and choose the current saved version of my original project.
This happened (Which Seems to be Matcap releted.)
Tried out transparency, and it worked
Switched back to the skin4 MatCap, and the scene looked like expected.
Selected a different subtool, and transparency still worked.
but when I went and opened the original project, transparency started acting like solo again.
Thanks a lot for taking your time to assist me with this issue. I’m pretty much done with where I want to on this project in zbrush, and now, I’m finishing it up in Blender, but will definitely be using your suggestions if I run into any issues in the future
Thanks once again
I am experiencing similar behaviour in ZB 2020. I use transparency via the Activate Edit Opacity button a lot in my work. I set up planes at the back of the scene and add sketch images to thes e planes to act as viausl guides for what I am sculpting. In 2020 the Activate Edit Opacity works as expected for a while (like ten minutes) but then starts to act as if it is the Solo button. When it is turned on I can only the active subtool. It usually coincides with using a Universal Camera. I tried quitting and re-opening the project but that didn’t help. It worked properly when reloading the tool after startup, rather than the project, maybe as the tool doesn’t have any camera information.
@Afeso hey thanks for this query, even I got into some kind of same trouble where transparency is not showing only few subtools transparent and hiding rest of them, then I changed the material as you discussed above and it worked. it may be some error with the “polyskin” matcap I guess. anyhow now its working thanks again for all of you guys .
@bharat_kiran Hey there! I’ m having the same issue but your solution hasn’t helped me in this case. I’m trying to figure out the exact reason. Did you just change all the materials on all the subtools?
Hello all!
Just letting you know clearing my viewport via Document>New Document than drawing in my tool again solved this issue for me. Hope it works for you too!
Thanks Jodz4…I am having the same issue on ZBrush 2020.1.3…I tried your work around and it worked great!
Thanks J0DZ4, that worked for me as well! I’ve been able to trace my specific issue to having image plane reference views up - making a new document temporarily fixed transparency, but as soon as I load or store a view, transparency goes back to soloing subtools.
You are my savior! I totally fixed the problem with your way!
I have the exact same issue, as soon as I load or store a view, transparency goes back to soloing subtools.
@Daniel_Alexandre , that’s exactly what I found also! I have repeated the experiment on two different licenses/installs of zbrush today. The bug is consistent and it’s exactly as you say… in a brand new scene there is no issue using transparency. But as soon as you import an image into your reference view, or even change views (front, side, custom1, etc.) BAM! Transparency no longer works.
@Spyndel Does this information help shine light on the underlying issue? There seems to be a real correlation between reference views and transparency failing.
