Hi, I’ve been having some trouble with exporting my polypainted model from Zbrush. I wish to 3D print the model over at Sculpteo in full color material, but all methods I’ve tried to export the color along with the model have failed. I first exported the polypainted model as an .OBJ file which saved an .MTL file along side aswell. I uploaded these to the sculpteo website (in .zip format) but once uploaded, it said there was no color information there. (I thought the .MTL file contained the color information). Then I saw that another way of doing it was to produce a UV map and then use the “Create texture from polypaint” button to create a texture from the polypaint. I tried this method twice using UV master and normally but both failed.
I exported the created textures in .JPEG format and then uploaded as a .zip file with the .OBJ and .MTL files but still, once uploaded, the 3D printing website said the model contained no color information.
Am I going wrong somewhere? Is there a simple way to export the full color model for 3D printing without doing the UV map? I just want the polypainted model to be printed, but I have only had trouble so far. Any help would be greatly appreciated, thanks.
Use the VRML format via the 3D Print Exporter plugin which is included with ZBrush. The documentation for it is in your ZBrush installation’s Documentation folder.
Thanks, I didn’t know about this part of Zbrush, but still having trouble. I exported the polypainted model (polypainted using spotlight) as a VRML file using the 3D Print Exporter plugin and made sure color was turned on in advanced options. So this should generate a file with all the color information contained. Sculpteo says it accepts VRML files and that color is supported in this format, but when I uploaded it, I found that it still says “Your design does not contain any color, you may consider to use a more robust material (plastic ones, for example)”. Would this be a problem with the website, or something at my end?
Thanks
Jakenix,
I know you posed this color printing issue 2 years ago, but for a long time I have struggled with the same scenario and testing as you. Can you point me to a solution that worked for you? I have tried so many combinations of file formats and steps that I know longer know what to attempt.
I have polypainted (not UV mapped or separate textures since I wash crashing ZBrush with those steps), merged, with and without Dynamesh, Remeshed, and decimated models, ranging from 100K to 3M points. Shapeways says that my models are not manifold and rejects them, however Sculpteo corrects them, but without displaying color. I tried Netfabb, MeshMixer, and Meshlab to correct the manifold issues and also exported in various formats (VRML, OBJ, PLY, STL w/ color settings). In the end, Sculpteo still sees no color from the PLY, WRL, OBJ, with or without the MTL, and Shapeways just rejects the model. I fear that I should not have polypainted prior to correcting the geometry and completing the sculpting, and that I will need to repaint. I think I’ve read every thread on Shapeways and Sculpteo, so I am going back through ZBrushCentral and Pixologic videos for ideas. Can you point me to an end-to-end ZBrush / MeshLab -> Sculpteo and Shapeways full color print workflow? The more detailed the better 
I admit I am rather new to this. I’ve taken one ZBrushWorkshops class, practiced ZBrush inconsistently for about 1.5 years, and printed about 3 dozen items in white plastic. But I am a novice to digital color, UVs/ maps, and fixing or optimizing geometries.
Thank you for any pointers or guidance!
I’m replying to this old thread because I was having issues with 4R7 having got it almost perfect before. This is not a 100% how-to since various people have different methods of working. Just some tips.
First off if all you have is a very high rez, polypainted model you’re basically screwed. If someone has had success at this please chime in.
Export your files as VRML only. Texture option should be PNG - why? Because I was having problems for the longest time using Shapeways service because the JPEG name wasn’t recognised but JPG was!
You do not need MTL files in your zipped package. Only the VRML and PNG files.
Now the reason I’m back here searching again. I am testing this using 4R7 and AGAIN was having problems. Found out why: I had to open the PNG in Photoshop then flip the image once vertically and then horizontally !!
This is never an easy process and it’s something I wish Pizologic could work on. It’s fine producing fancy Keyshot images with 50mil models but when it comes to exporting models for 3D Printing the process is less than ideal.
As I said before if anyone has found the perfect way to export polypainted high-rez models for printing please let us know.
Incidentally, in a Joseph Drust video here, he shows how to export without UV’s or textures: http://www.zbrushcentral.com/showthread.php?185028-RECAP-3D-Printer-World-Expo&p=1075192#post1075192
BUT - Just make sure in Preferences, under Decimation Master tab, that “Use and Keep Polypaint” is checked. That way, when decimating model to printable size all the polypainting stays with it!!
Another BUT ! - The poly’s are kept high where there is paint so if the whole model is polypainted this kinda defeats the purpose!
I found this works for me:
Export as OBJ out of Zbrush with standard export. Polypaint info is added
Install this script for 3DS Max. It works on 2023
Import with polypaint
Bake texture in 3DS Max
Export normal OBJ with texture maps
Whish Zbrush was more stable for UV unwrapping.
Many apps need more working features for 3d printing in full color.