ZBrushCentral

Mesh efficiency and polycount question

ZBrush Usage Questions
#1

I am trying to do a basic classical type sculpt as practice–but I find that my polycount ends up running over 5 million after 6 subdivides and I still have a bit more detail to do.
I started this mesh in maya because I find that when using zbrush for the base mesh always ends up giving me a sculpture with too many polygons and not enough smoothing and etching options. I just cant get a handle on zspheres. I still end up with a runaway poly count.

And it really kills my enthusiasm to finish it once i hit 5 million.

My machine may be able to handle over 10 million but must I always end up with such a high polycount?

How can I improve mesh efficiency? Or is HD geometry the only option?

Attachments

figurepolycount.jpg

#2

They look nice, but I think the face poly density should be higher.
You can retopo, or just go to HD.

#3

Are you remembering to turn off the “quick” button in the Transform palette and set the smooth amount on the Tool>Display Properties> to see what you actually have. At that poly count you should be able to get more detail I think.

#4

“Are you remembering to turn off the “quick” button in the Transform palette and set the smooth amount on the Tool>Display Properties> to see what you actually have.”

**um since I never heard of it the answer is probably no.

I will check the options on retoplogy and HD too.

#5

I read up on retopology and creating new topology.

I have one option of taking the original base mesh back into maya and adding more polygon density–then taking it back into zbrush and using a zproject brush to project the face over the new base mesh-is this correct?

Or I can use a zsphere, edit, go to rigging, add more lines to the base mesh of the current model, and then create a new adaptive skin…I tried in a test but cant figure it out yet–I just end up with weird lines running zigzag on the face and either end up with a weird wireframe version of the mesh or a piece extracted off the mouth area.

If i can figure out what i am doing wrong, I wonder which of the two is the easier approach or one feels gives the most creative control with the least hassle. I havent tried HD yet.

#6

Your first proposal will work.

Your second option will also work. But you do need to bone up on retopology. Check out the “Topology & Flow Lab” in the Main forum.

#7

Thanks. I will check it out.I cant figure out how to get the zproject brush to transfer the data yet but working on it!