ZBrushCentral

Various questions about the types of zbrush files.

ZBrush Usage Questions
#1

So there’s a bunch of files you can save out and I just want to verify what each does and how they corresponds to one another.

VMEM
I’m aware you can redirect the vmem folder, but is it also safe to delete the files inside?. I’m assuming they correspeonds to older sessions of zbrush, is this a correct assumption? Are they used in conjunction with any other feature in zbrush so erasing those will have strange effects later on?

PROJECT FILE
The project file can save history in a separate file and can get pretty big, but sometimes I save one out to be able to go back and create movies of the scuplting process later on. However, it seems that it saves all history for each tool and not only for the one I had selected. Is there a workaround for this?
The project file, does it store the tool itself or does it load it from the separate .ztl file? if not, is there a need for the .ztl file or should I just keep saving the project where I have the undo history.

TOOL
Can you unload tools? I usually save out some versions of my models and then load them in to view the progress, perhaps cleaning the last one up, deleting unwanted meshes and appending them to the earlier version in case I’d need another pair of shoes at a different time and place.
After many tools have been loaded the screen estate becomes pretty cluttered and I’d like to unload them once I’m done and don’t need them. This would also solve the huge project file issue I’m experiencing.

DOCUMENT
What is this and when and why do I want to save the document?

I’m hoping I’m making myself clear enough for you to understand my questions.
Have a great day everybody!

#2

Most of the information you want you’ll find here:

http://docs.pixologic.com/getting-started/basic-concepts/saving-your-work/

Additionally:

  1. VMEM - so long as ZBrush is not running you can delete these files. ZBrush will recreate them as needed.
  2. Unloading tools - you can select any tool in the Tool palette and press Tool>SubTool>Delete All. This will delete all the subtools and replace the tool with the default Star.

HTH,

#3

Vmem is basically your scratch disk. I’m not sure if you can delete it or not.

Project files zpr are their own file type. They are not referencing a file from another location. They contain all of the data within them, textures, alphas, tools, etc.
To make smaller project you need to delete unwanted information from the project. If you need to remove tools then select the tool. Then go to tool.subtool.delete all. This will remove the mesh and all information that would be saved in the project.
If you end up with a lot of stars (the left over icon from a deleted tool) then you can click the small R near the top of the tool panel, it will reset your tool UI.

A doc is 2.5D, you would save it if you’re working in 2.5D.

#4

Thanks alot. That answered all my questions.
I have read the docs ofc, but couldn’t find a straight answer to some of the things i was curious about.

How do you yourself think about saving your model. Using mostly tool or by project?
Seeing as the project file can get huge holding all that history, is there a way to bake selected strokes. I assume not :wink:
So how do you face the decision when to save project or tool. Is it just a matter of file size and wether or not you want to keep the history?

Thanks again marcus_civis and beta_channel!

#5

You don’t have to save the Undo History with a project. To save without, simply turn off the Undo History option at the top of the File palette.

Projects are useful in that they save all the models or bits of models. But they can get pretty huge. If I’m working on a particular model I tend to just save the ZTL. I can then save different versions so that I can go back to a previous version if necessary and I don’t use so much disk space.

It’s really about finding what works for you.

#6

Thanks. That cleared everything up =)
There are some quirks to the program I haven’t fully understood yet