ZBrushCentral

Zbrush 2020 Unable to save file

ZBrush Usage Questions
#1

Hi,

I got a problem with Zbrush 2020 when I try to start it. It displays a few message boxes like this one zbrush_fail

After closing all the popups I still can’t use the app. I tried to desinstall to no avail. Any idea?

Thanks!

Unable To Save FIle
#2

Hi @joebount

Sorry you’re having some trouble here.

One possible issue–Zbrush requires a C Drive on the computer.

One note: Be sure to disable any Antivirus during the entire installation process (download to install)–it’s a common source of installation issues. Be sure to re-download a fresh installer–they can become corrupted.

Otherwise this error seems to indicate a problem with the path Zbrush needs to use for virtual memory. This is probably going to require you to make a Support Ticket and provide them with the system info they will need. They are better equipped to troubleshoot those sorts of issues.

#3

Thanks for the answer.
I do have a C drive on the computer (but I didn’t install it there). Also I forgot to mention that I manage to launch it once (the first time) and loaded my prefs and keymaps from 2019.
After that no luck even after reinstalling the software. :-/

#4

The particular folder that you are using for your scratch disk directory either doesn’t exist, the path to it is incorrectly formatted in the text file designating the path, or folder permissions are insufficient for ZBrush to be able to write to it. The Everyone user group should have Read & Write permission for the ZBrushData2020 folder and enclosed items.

#5

Ah ok. It must have happened when I copied my prefs from 2019 to 2020. Do you know by any chance where these values are stored for 2020? I deleted the 2020 folder but I still get the error. It must be some remnants somewhere.

Thank you!

#6

@joebount did you find a solution?

#7

Unfortunately not. I have been sticking to the previous version for work reasons and haven’t had the opportunity to have a look. I did have a look at the time but wasn’t able to find the files location
@aurick any chance you could point us to a solution please?

#8

For Windows, you’re looking for C:\Users\Public\Public Documents\ZBrushData2020. For macOS it would be /Users/Shared/ZBrushData2020.

That folder is created when ZBrush 2020 is first launched. If it is not created then something in your system security is preventing ZBrush from doing so. For Windows, my recommendation in that case would first be to right-click on the shortcut for ZBrush 2020 (or directly on it in its installed folder) and choose “Run as Administrator.” This will launch ZBrush with elevated permissions, hopefully allowing it to create that folder. Once created, you don’t need to do Run as Admin anymore and it’s generally a good idea to not do so.

If Run as Administrator doesn’t work, the next approach is to simply create the ZBrushData2020 folder yourself, in the correct location. Then ensure that the Everyone user group has Read & Write permission for that folder and its contents. From there, ZBrush should be able to make use of the folder when you next launch it, creating the remaining files that are necessary.

If you still have issues, please submit a Support ticket, using the ZBrush Diagnostic Utility: See Here

#9

Thanks @aurick,
below some error messages I received even after I made this folders:

Unable to save file
!:/users/Shared/ZBrushData2020/ZBrushScratchDiskPath

Unable to save file
!:/users/Shared/ZBrushData2020/ZStartup/ConfigFiles/ZBrushID

Unable to save file
!:/users/Shared/ZBrushData2020/ZBrushQuickSavePath

Unable to openfile
!:/APPLICATIONS/ZBRUSHOSX 2020/ZResources/Images/Txtrs/Texture Off

Unable to openfile
!:/APPLICATIONS/ZBRUSHOSX 2020/ZResources/Images/ZLogoForNotes

and so on…

I contacted the support, they advised me for clean install but I didn’t made any difference. Waiting for feedback…

#10

Then even though you created the folder, it doesn’t have the necessary permissions for ZBrush to be able to write to it. Make sure that the Everyone user group has read&write permission for that folder and contained items.

#11

@joebount @aurick Found a way around.
Used somenbody’s backup (time machine for mac) with an older OS. Installed Zbrush an than updated the OS to Catalina. Now it’s running thanks to those folders who where created when the older OS was installed.

#12

for god sake, i have same problem with 2020 01 new version.

tried re-installation
install in D drive

i surely disabled defender apps before download and install.

but can’t work. so frustrated. T^T

did you solve the problem?

1 Like
#13

The ZBrushData2020 folder is created when ZBrush first launches. It is not created by the installer itself.

These errors are always caused by one of two things:

  1. ZBrush doesn’t have sufficient permissions to create the folder.
  2. ZBrush doesn’t have sufficient permissions to write to the folder.

For macOS:

  1. Browse to ZBrush in your ZBrushOSX 2020 folder.
  2. Select the ZBrush app and press Cmd+I
  3. In the info window that opens, make sure that the Sharing and Permissions section at the bottom is expanded. Click the padlock icon and enter your admin password to unlock it.
  4. Change the Everyone user group to “Read Only”
  5. Click the gear icon underneath that and choose “Apply to Enclosed Items.” Confirm when prompted.
  6. Change Everyone to “Read & Write” then Apply to Enclosed Items again.
  7. Lock permissions and close Info.
  8. Go to your Macintosh hard drive /Users/Shared and create the ZBrushData2020 folder. It must be written exactly that way.
  9. Select that folder and press Cmd+I to get info on it.
  10. Follow steps 3-7 again for this folder.

Now try launching ZBrush.

For Windows:

  1. Browse to where ZBrush is installed. Right-click on the ZBrush application and choose Properties.
  2. Go to the Security tab.
  3. Select the Everyone group. Make sure that the Allow column is checked for everything except Special Permissions. If it’s not, click Edit and check those boxes yourself.
  4. When done, click OK.
  5. Go to C:\Users\Public\Documents and created the ZBrushData2020 folder if it’s not present.
  6. Right-click on that folder and choose Properties.
  7. Click Edit
  8. Click Add
  9. In the bottom box, type Everyone, then click OK
  10. Allow for all the check boxes except Special permissions.
  11. Click OK

If you still have issues, please submit a support ticket and include your ZBrush Diagnostic Report.

Thanks!

#14

Hello! I read this forum. Did everything as you wrote, but the result is zero. These errors about which other people wrote do not disappear. Zbrush does not start.

I’m very upset that I can’t work in zibrash. What should I do? :sob::sob::sob::sob::sob:

#15

When you are using a mac, you must downgrade to an older OS, install zbrush and then you can update your os again.

#16

i ve got a rrsponse from zbrush support as follows;

What I would like you to do is to perform a clean installation. This is not the same thing as a regular uninstall/reinstall. It involves removing some files manually.

Follow these steps to perform a clean installation and get ZBrush activated:

  1. Uninstall ZBrush from your computer.
  2. Locate and delete the ZBrush folder that is left behind. (It’s found in a Pixologic subfolder in your Program Files or Applications directory.)
  3. If you are on Windows locate and delete the \Users\Public\Documents\ZBrushData20XX folder. If you are on Mac locate and delete the \Users\Shared\ZBrushData20XX folder. (The ZBrush20XX refers to the version you’re reinstalling, such as ZBrushData2020.)
  4. Make sure you are logged into the computer as an admin user and disable your antivirus software. (This includes Windows Defender!)
  5. Now you can download and install the ZBrush full installer by logging into your Pixologic ID account at the My Licenses portal:
    Pixologic :: My Licenses
  6. Once done installing, launch the software and choose the Web Activation method to get activated.
  7. After you have activated ZBrush you can turn your antivirus software back on.

but still i failed running zbrush. bit if i turned the windows active virus detection funcion off, then it goes open. but some hours later the function tirned on automatocally somehow, then zbrush cannot save any files.

#17

I had this problem today. On Windows 10 it seems Windows Security is causing this problem. Zbrush’s permission to write on the folder has been removed. To solve it:

Go to Windows Security
Virus & threat protection
Ransomware protection
Manage ransomware protection
Allow an app through Controlled folder access
Then add Zbrush as an allowed app by going to its installation path and adding its .exe file

Cheers.

3 Likes
#18

i had the problame like that. have you tried uncheck read only in properties.

#19

Thanks this resolved an issue I was having with exporting my .fbx files.

#20

HI GUYS!I just solved it, just create the “VMEM” folder in the installation directory, and in this folder create “ZBrushData202x”,
Then start the program… Waiting for a miracle