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Merging subtools lose subdivision

ZBrush Usage Questions
#1

I’m trying to merge multiple subtools that have the same number of subdivisions into one, and no matter what I do, zbrush deletes all subdivision levels.

This wouldn’t be an issue if I could reconstruct subdivs, but when I try to it fails 100% of the time.

I’ve tried using Geometry->Insert Mesh after cloning my subtool, but that doesn’t work with a model that has subdivisions.

I have tried merging with the subtool master plugin, but still same results, no subdivisions are retained.

This is problematic as I’m trying to set up a character for udims and unwrapping and grouping parts together. Figured that would make things easier, but I’m at a loss as to what’s happening and why things aren’t working.

EDIT:

I managed to get two subtools to merge while retaining subdivision levels. Is this limited by power of the PC, or the number of polygons being merged? Why does it work some times but not others? What can I do to ensure this works 100% of the time?

#2

In my experience (short) you will have the lowest subdivision level. For example if you merge a subtool with 3 subdiv level with another with 1 subdiv. you will have one subtool with 1 subdiv. But, if you merge two subtool with 3 subdiv, you should have 1 subtool with 3 subdiv level.
Be carefull that you merge all the subtools in the same sub div level. Otherwise it wont work.
The other thing that you can do, is merge and loose the subdiv level, bit then use the ‘Reconstruct Subdiv’ In the geometry panel.
I hope it is usefull!!!
Good Luck

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#3

Hi @CD_Legasse ,

@CROKO3D is correct. You need to make sure the merged subtools are all at the same level of subdivision, and that level needs to be the highest one you want to preserve for all subtools.

However, I am aware of a bug in this area that can affect wide open meshes that aren’t closed volumes, based on whether they have an odd or even number of polygons. Once example would be a cylinder that is missing both endcaps. In these cases, even if the subtools are merged properly you may not be able to reconstruct the subdivision levels. You can work around this by splitting the meshes to individual subtools again, for instance with the “Split to parts” function, or making sure that the mesh is a closed volume when you merge it. This issue is under investigation.

Good luck!

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#4

@Spyndel this happened to me today, I was losing my mind. Closing the cylindrical shape (it was a shoelace) fixed it. Thank you.

1 Like