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Using Zmapper for UV mapping.. possible Zscript?

ZScripting Help
#1

I figured I’d toss this idea out to scriptwriters…

I’ve asked a number of times, but have gotten litle or no resonse at all on this idea.

Zmapper gives you a flat normal map. is there any way to convert that normal map information into uv information as well, and then save your obj with the normal map info replacing the uv mapping information?

The normal map should be a dat set of coordinates of the obj’s points. That’s all a uv map really is as well.

Maybe one of the zscripters can write a script so zmapper can be used as a uv mapping utility, instead of just a normal mapper?

Unless saving a obj with the zmapper massaged nomrla mapping already changes the uv mapping?

#2

Short answer? No.

Your existing UV map is a crucial ingredient to make what ZMapper does possible. If you extract a UV map from it… you already had that UV map.

Beyond that… If it -were- possible, you can bet it’d be included in v2.5 without any effort required of the ZScript writing community. This is sort of a silly time to devote that kind of labor to such a thing, y’know?

#3

Just to add a note: zscripters are restricted in what they can do because there’s no way - at present - of getting the relevant data from the mesh for enhanced UVmapping or carrying out operations on vertices. Hopefully the relevant ZScript command [there is one] will be extended in the near future to include this functionality.

Whatever happens I would expect Pixologic themselves to produce more plugins in the future along the lines of ZMapper. Certainly I can imagine that there would be many people who would welcome some sort of cut and slice UVmapping controls.

#4

Thanks for the feedback. I was hoping zbrush could be used as a replacement for something like uvmapper pro, or deep uv, but I guess that’s not in the cards at this point.

Maybe 3.0?

#5

It depends what you are doing but ZBrush’s existing UV tools are very powerful. If you are painting your textures within ZB, and you don’t need a UV map that is easily readable in an image ditor, then the GUV tiles or AUV tiles are brilliant.

#6

We should live that long!
Maybe 2.5 :wink:

Pelt Mapping is the newest, sexiest feature making the rounds, and all the 3D platforms are trying to get an edge by providing the best implimentation of it. Currently, I think that honor goes to Luxology Modo, but that could change at a moment’s notice. In the meantime, we know ZBrush 2.5 has been delayed to add features, that some sort of comprehensive UV tool for clean layout is at the top of most everyone’s wishlist. Not every feature of 2.5 has been announced yet, so it’s very possible this one’s in development.

I usually discourage speculation about the new features, but this one seems a safer bet than most. Not pelt mapping specifically, but some sort of interactive UV tool(s).

(The generated tiling became a whole lot more intuitive in 2.0 with the introduction of GUV tiles. Perhaps that trend will continue, and deliver the one-button solution you’re asking for. But from a practical standpoint, you need to take control of the seams and proportions yourself…)