Hi guys
I have a question. I hope somebody can answer me.
I would like to know if it is possible when using the clone brush for example when creating stitches to deform the underlying geometry as well? So let say I have created a single stitch mesh and I use it with the clone brush as a MeshInsert. I am creating the stitches but at the same time I want to be able to create the holes in the underlying geometry. Is that possible at all.
Thanks in advance.
I believe it’s for use on the 2.5D canvas, not geometry.
Thanks Doug. I am talking about geometry not 2.5 canvas.
Yes, but the clone brush is a 2.5D tool. It has nothing to do with geometry, except maybe to paint displacement in projection master, hence Doug’s statement. You may be referring to another brush.
If I understand you correctly, and I’m not sure that I do, there are multiple approaches to what you want to do. Zbrush has several “stitch” brushes–check Lightbox for more. You can use those brushes to create stitch displacement along a curve. If you want holes, or at least hole indentations, it’s a matter of using an alpha that has the holes in there as well, or perhaps creating one alpha for the stiches, and another for the holes. These wont be actual physical see-through holes in the geometry, but they will appear to be such under all but the closest scrutiny if the alpha is high enough quality and the mesh is high enough resolution to hold the details. This would be by far the easiest solution.
If you’re talking about using the mesh inset brush to place actual physical 3d stitch objects against a thin cloth like 3d mesh, and simultaneously cutting real, see through 3d holes into the geometry I want to say that no, that isn’t possible. Except that it is theoretically possible, it’s just so logistically challenging, and subject to Zbrush technical whims, that you’re probably better off using a more conventional approach to putting holes in something separately, and treating the stitching as a separate issue.
But theoretically, you could use an Insert multimesh brush to place stitch objects flanked by two long cylinders along a curve. The brush imbed would have to be such that the cylinders penetrate the cloth but the stiches rest above. Have fun with that. Then run Polygroups>Auto Groups to separate all the individual objects, isolate all the stitches, group them together and split them into a separate subtool. Hide the cloth, and group all the cylinders together as a Negative mesh for dynamesh subtraction. Then use Dynamesh, probably at near maximum resolution and hope that Dynamesh can capture that detail without closing the holes (the larger the holes the better). You may also have to do them bits at a time, because Dynamesh can only handle so many negative subs at once or it will fail to work.
Far far easier just to create the cloth with holes in it separately, or punch the holes in the cloth after the stitches have been placed, via the traditional methods Zbrush has for punching holes in things (extract function, curve bridge brush, dynamesh, etc). Far easier still to use an alpha based solution.
Ops . I am really sorry guys. My bad. I meant to say “curve brush” not clone. Yes Doug was right about the 2.5 canvas. My bad.
Thanks for the answer Spyndel. Appreciate it.
I thought it was not possible. I tried alot of things and they didnt work.
Using displacement is out of question as I have close ups that require the things to look really realistic.
I already created the stitches using the curve brush . It works brilliantly . Now I am just simply manually creating the holes underneath them. Actually they are not exactly holes. They are just cavities in the cloth.
Regarding your theoretical approach. I cant afford of using dynamesh , I am to far ahead in the process.
Thanks again.
In that case, if you require an extreme close up with explicit geometry, I would think the best solution is to model the cloth with the stitch holes via the methods ZB has for punching holes in things (Dynamesh, Curve Bridge brush, mesh extract, etc), then to draw out the stitches as individual objects from hole to hole, for instance using the Curve Tube, or Curve Strap brush, or some custom variation thereof. Or draw the stitches and punch the holes after the fact.
Any method of punching see through holes in the cloth is going to involve changing the geometry of the underlying cloth mesh however. Given that, I’m not sure why it has to be too late for Dynamesh. Remember, subdivision levels can be rebuilt, detail projected, polypaint and textures transferred to new UVs.
Yes these points are all valid. The thing is that I have a shoe with more than 2000 stitches. 
Also on the underlying geometry I have alot of layers with different types of details. I will do just indentations for the holes and use displacement . The stitches are real geometry.
Thanks for the help.