STRANGE ReTOPO PROBLEMS (STILL)

[SNARK]

Hi.

I’m having a couple of strange problems with ReTopo. Here is my workflow:

• Select and draw out ZSphere and enter ‘Edit’ mode. Set Draw Size to ‘1’. Set Adaptive Skin Density to ‘1’.
• Go to ‘Topology’ > ‘Select’ > Choose polymesh.
• Go to ‘Rigging’ > ‘Select’ > Choose same polymesh.
• Turn on ‘Edit Topology’. This creates a mask on the entire polymesh that must be cleared.
• Activate symmetry and begin reTopo by holding down ‘Shift’ and LMB-clicking the first point anywhere I want.

My problems are the display and the actual ReTopo. When I first select the polymesh from the Topology sub-palette it comes in with the polyframe all highlighted in orange and all the points selected. If I turn ‘Edit Topology’ on and off, that clears up. But, when I re-select through the rigging sub-palette I get the orange stuff again and I can’t shift-click any new topology. If I delete all the points, clearing the mesh, I still can’t reTopo. I have attached a couple images using the default star polymesh to illustrate. I’m sure I’m missing something simple. Any thoughts?

Thanks!

~S.~

Attachments

[aurick]

Why are you clearing the mask? I have been able to retopo the star without doing this.

[SNARK]

Hi, Aurick. Thanks, for the response.

I’ve been using the reTopo feature without problem for months but when I started ZBrush the other day it just wasn’t working right. I ought to be able to select a zsphere, enter edit mode, go to Rigging and select my polymesh, go to Topology and turn on Edit Topology then begin shift-clicking new topology. However, I’ve not been able to do this. When I turn on Edit Topology and shift-click on the polymesh I’m liable to get any number of odd results, from no result at all to the appearance of a partial mesh (see attached image) to the ability (for a few clicks) to actually draw some new topology. Whether I use the default star or a polymesh of my own making doesn’t matter. Nothing is consistent and all actions are slow. I’m wondering if I need to re-install the program? I’m also having trouble using the Move Brush. I select and drag points that won’t move or move very slow or move after selecting them 5 or 6 times. This is all new behavior.

Thanks!

~S.~

Oh, the ‘Clear Mask’ thing. In the past, when reTopo was working, every time I would turn on Edit Topology a mask would automatically be applied to the whole polymesh. It took me a while to figure out that was why I couldn’t move or edit points.

Attachments

[cannedmushrooms]

Also after you clear that mask most of the points are hid

Cntrl / shift click anywhere in the open part of the canvas to make the rest of the points appear.

For drawing a new point (I know this sounds stupid but I do it too) Make sure your Zadd is on, Draw size at 1, Intensity 100
The angle of placement can get you alot also. Tip the Part a little if its a flat plane when you place a new point.

Just some tips;)

[SNARK]

Thanks, Jason.

Your insights always demonstrate just how deeply you have investigated this software. ‘Cheers’ to your stamina and devotion. We all benefit.

Thanks!

~S.~

[SNARK]

I appreciate your attention.

What I’m trying to do is really very simple. I have a small piece of geometry (a bit of curved wall with a window hole in it) that I want to fully reTopologize. I’ve turned it into a polymesh and saved it and have my Zadd turned on (with Intensity all the way to 100) and my draw size set to ‘1’. I should now be able to go to ‘Rigging’ and select the mesh then go to ‘Topology’ and turn on ‘Edit Topology’ and start Shift-Clicking new topology. But, it isn’t happening.
I’ve re-started the computer a few times and initialized ZBrush a few times but I get odd behavior. Like I said, it has worked fine in the past.

Now, something isn’t right. No matter what I do I can’t get that first point or any ‘new’ topology to show up. When I look at the preview window I see pieces of topology floating in air with no relationship to my click order. If I shift-click on the mesh nothing appears until I tilt the mesh a little then pieces of the original topology show up, as if shift-clicking had caused a part of what was already there to become visible. Once, I was able to click a circle of unconnected points around the window hole but only these little red dots showed. In the preview also were a circle of floating red points.

And then there’s the Move Brush issues of selection and speed. These things used to work fine. Should I re-install? How would I do that?

Thanks!

~S.~

I have attached a zip file of the model if anyone wants to open it in their own Z3 and see if you have any of the same problems.

Attachments

[aurick]

There seems to be a problem with the model. I can’t get to where I can retopo it at all.

Also, reinstalling ZBrush should always be a last resort. Have you tried disabling your plugins to see if any of them might be causing problems? This is done by holding down the Shift key while ZBrush is launching. (Double-click to launch, then immediately hold Shift until it finishes loading.)

[SNARK]

Thanks for the response, Aurick.

I started Z3 with plug-ins disabled but it doesn’t matter if it’s a mesh I made or a native Z3 mesh, I get the same results. I have posted an image of a ZCube that I made into a polymesh 3D. When I Shift-Click points on it (4 points, in a square) nothing appears, but when I tilt the model a little, a grid appears roughly representing the four points I clicked in a square. I have also attached a zip file of this converted Z3 polymesh 3D cube.

I then tried to reTopo the polymesh ‘Star’. Same thing. Nothing appears until I tilt the model a little when I can see little orange dots everyplace I shift-clicked. I don’t know if that shows in the attached image. I also attached a zip file of the Star tool from my machine.

The model I sent earlier of the bit of wall with a window hole in it was made from a Z3 primitive cylinder then turned into a PM3D.

Thanks!

~S.~

Attachments

[SNARK]

Well, there is something fundamentally wrong with my install of Z3.1. Topology tools simply don’t work anymore. The Move Brush simply doesn’t work anymore. I feel my only recourse is to re-install. Tomorrow, barring professional advice, I will re-install.

Thanks!

~S.~

[cannedmushrooms]

sorry snark I was gone for awhile there

I downloaded this tunnel thing and I see why you cant see the topology to edit.

1. take your original tunnel and load it as a tool into Zbrush
2. Clone it
3. Select a Zsphere
4. goto the retop rigging select mesh
5. goto topology select mesh and choose the clone
6. click edit topology
7. cntrl and shift click anywhere off the object
8. Mask clear mask

Sounds like Zbrush is giving you a run for your money.

Of course the reinstall method will require 2 naked migits with bannana suits to turn the special golden keys at the same time.

AT THE SAME TIME

this is to prevent hackers from dressing migits in apple suits and stealing Zbrush through their cellphones

duh

The world is now a safer place with this key protocol in place

Enjoy and have a happy Zbrush day;)
(this message will self destruct and your Zbrush key will now self destruct making you call or Email pixologic with another lame excuse to why you forgot to push the special Deactivate button before your computer caught fire)

[SNARK]

Hi, Jason (and Aurick).

I had to be off the grid for a few days when I began to suspect a hardware component to my problems. I’ve reformatted the HD and have done a complete, clean, re-install from disc of all my software. I felt I needed to absolutely exclude the possibility of any problem with my machine before trying to trouble-shoot ZBrush.

Anyway, Jason, after carefully following your workflow, I have been able to set up and view the existing topology on my models as an ‘orange-line’ mesh (as per your example). I am also able to delete edges/points using ‘Alt’. However, I am still unable to draw new topology using ‘Shift-Click’. Do I need to re-topologize at a higher resolution? I am trying this at level one and trying to increase the lowpoly resolution in specific areas.

I am encountering a number of repeatable artifacts which I will briefly list:

• When I apply my first ‘Shift-Click’ on the model to establish a start point, then move to my second ‘Shift-Click’ to establish the first edge, the only thing that happens (everytime) is that all the intersection points in the mesh become instantly highlighted with little bright circles, indicating total selection of all points (see 2nd image). When I then click on the canvas outside the model, all points become deselected (see 1st image). However, my new topology (points and edge) are not visible. The figure is a PM3D mesh made from a ZSphere figure.

• Even though this is a PolyMesh3D (made from ZSpheres) when I tap ‘A’ (as you would to preview a ZSphere mesh) nothing should happen. However, I get the result visible in the 3rd image. Holes. Something isn’t right. What simple step in the process am I missing?

I love this program but it is frustrating me.

Thanks!

~S.~

Attachments

[cannedmushrooms]

Turn your draw size down to 1before you shift click the first point.

You max strip length could be set to high. But it really looks like your missing half your topology.
You should upload that model via zip

[SNARK]

Hi, Jason.

Thanks again for your attention. I really do appreciate your instruction. You have so much patience, that quality possessed of all great teachers. I am dense. I am beginning to think I am personally cursed over this ReTopo thing as nobody else seems to have the same problem. Maybe my ‘Preference’ settings are wrong?

My ‘Draw Size’ is always ‘1’ when working with ZSpheres.

Is there something wrong with the way I’m using ZSpheres to create the polymesh? There are some ZSphere settings in the ‘Preferences’ palette that I’ve never used.

Should the polymesh be subdivided? Right now there is only 1 level with about 1000 polys.

My machine is barely 3 years old with 2 gigs of RAM and ‘Windows XP Home’. It has always handled ZBrush and Maya with no trouble. Also, I’ve just reformatted and re-installed software. Clean.

Here are my machine stats:

Intel( R ) Pentium( R ) M
Processor 1.50 Ghz
1.50 Ghz, 2 GB of RAM

I have attached one zip file. It’s a subtool set-up showing what I’m trying to accomplish: a tortoise character with a top shell and a bottom shell. I would actually like the two shell parts to be one piece. Right now, the body and top shell are zspheres but the flat bottom shell is made from a Primitive (cylinder, I think). The shell parts need to be re-topologized more than the body does.

I felt I was close to understanding the program but when I try to put things together I feel I’m a hundred miles away from understanding this program.

Is there a way I can record a modeling session and send you a script so you can see my workspace as I get to the point where I can’t ReTopo? Maybe you could ‘see’ what I’m missing.

Current Workflows:

As I understand it, there are two basic ways to re-Topologize a model. Either you re-Topologize some parts like the mouth and face and leave the rest alone, or you re-Topologize the whole thing from scratch. As I also understand it, there are two similar but different workflows depending on which of these ways you go.

I’m using the Standard brush with a Drag Rectangle stroke, no Alpha or Texture. Fast Shader.

This is my understanding of the workflow details to re-Topologize a part of a mesh:

• Open ZBrush while holding down the ‘Shift’ key to disable all but the built-in plugins.

• Load the ZSphere model I want to reTopo > Convert the model (at level 1 subdivision) to a PolyMesh3D.

• Clone it.

• Select the ZSphere tool, draw it out on the canvas and turn on ‘Edit’ mode.

- Open Topology subpalette and select the new polymesh clone.

- Open Rigging subpalette and select same polymesh clone.

- Return to Topology subpalette and turn on ‘Edit Topology’.

- Ctrl/Shift-Click on canvas outside model to unhide points.

• Open the Masking subpalette and clear the mask that has automatically been applied to the entire mesh - I can now see the existing topology as an orange wireframe.

• Shift-Click on wireframe model to set first point - Nothing Happens.

• Shift-Click elsewhere on model to set second point and establish first edge - Nothing Happens. I can, however Alt/Click to delete points and edges.

This is my understanding of the very similar workflow to re-Topologize the whole model:

• Open ZBrush while holding down the ‘Shift’ key to disable all but the built-in plugins.

• Load ZSphere model I want to reTopo > Convert model (at level 1 subdivision) to PolyMesh3D.

• Clone it.

• Select the ZSphere tool, draw it out on the canvas and turn on ‘Edit’ mode.

- Open the Rigging subpalette and select the new clone.

- Open the Topology subpalette and select the same clone.

- Turn on ‘Edit Topology’.

- Ctrl/Shift-Click on canvas outside model to unhide points.

• Open the Masking subpalette and clear the mask that has automatically been applied to the entire mesh - I can now see the existing topology as an orange wireframe.

• Shift-Click on wireframe model to set first point - Nothing Happens.

• Shift-Click elsewhere on model to set second point and establish first edge - Nothing Happens. I can, however Alt/Click to delete points and edges.

The underlined portions of the workflow show where the small differences are.

Thoughts?

~S.~

[ryankingslien]

Hello Snark. I am confused about one thing. You are pressing SHIFT and clicking on the model. When you press Shift ZBrush switches to a topology brush, of sorts, that basically recreates the topology underneath your stroke.

If I understand your intentions correctly you will want to simply click on the model and not press Shift.

I hope that helps.

Best,

Ryan

[SNARK]

Thank you, Ryan.

I will try that. Every tutorial I have studied has said to ‘Shift-Click’ to apply new geometry. However, whatever works, right?

I love this program and this forum community. You guys always try to help.

Thanks!

~S.~

[cannedmushrooms]

you are retopoing to low of a frame
you will find if you divide him once that the next level works out great. The sub level 1 is to low and the geometry folds in on itself.
The topology mesh has cross sections because it is too low.

Heres the exsample

shift click will connect the Zsphere to a new chain then you can click all day long. but to connect to a new chain you must shift click.

Heres the kicker its way freeken hard to tell if things are connected or not connected half the time without devoting yourself to a life of hiting A for every new sphere. So its safer to shift and click with each new sphere.

your mesh that your retoping can be that low BUT you cannot use the low topology as a starter topology without it folding.