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How to export a Zbrush model as the same exact size it was imported as (Matrix/Rhino)

ZBrush Usage Questions
#1

Hello everyone.

I can’t believe how confused I am but I cannot for the life of me figure out how to simply export a Zbrush model as an .STL the same exact size it was imported as.

So what I do is I create a basic ring in Matrix/Rhino and import it into Zbrush. Then I sculpt on the ring without ever scaling the model. Now I just want to export the Zbrush model as an .STL but I can’t understand how to do that?

The way the 3d Print plugin is setup in Zbrush, it seems like it can only change the scale. There is a button for “original size” but I’m not doing things in the right order or something.

What exactly should I do to not scale the model and simply export it?

Thank you.

#2

I can’t understand all of your details BUT I think:

There is under Zplugins SCALEmaster.
Anyway you should watch that and take two hours to play with all that settings because Scaling Units are basic.
There is access to good tutorial when you press the top button of scale master.

Because it gives you the chance to know how big your model is and and you can change the size and how create size references, even for other applications.

I guess you had different units set in your other application.

For example Maya has by default CM.
So check out what size it had before you imported it and then set the same scale with ScaleMaster.
Then it is impossible that you get any problem.

Attachments

ScaleMaster ZBrush.jpg

#3

OK, thank you. I’ll check that out.

One problem I now realize that I did is that I didn’t change the units in Zbrush to mm so when I exported, Rhino/Matrix believed the numbers to be mm instead of inches.

So hopefully, that will solve my current problem, but I’ll check out your advice too.

#4

yes, that’s exactly what I meant…
but go more in depth with scalemaster, it’s worth it

#5

Well I didn’t try scalemaster yet but I can tell you that just clicking MM before I update my size ratio in 3d printer plugin does not help at all.

It claims my ring is way smaller than when I first imported it. The model was imported from Rhino so I don’t understand when or why Zbrush made it smaller. It’s frustrating to make the ring perfectly sized in Rhino, and then it get’s changed some how in Zbrush.

I afraid that scaling it to approximate size even with Zbrush plugin won’t be as accurate at my original Rhino base model was.

#6

Ok then ZBrush has different units. I guess you can adjust it rasily within 3 minutes with ScaleMaster.
There is no risk, it’s just as simple as changing dpi in photoshop.
just do it

#7

Yeah, thanks again for you advice.

I am thinking that after you import a model like from Rhino, but then you Remesh, divide it, etc… Zbrush does not maintain it’s outter dimensions.

I think I will try your idea but also the plugin “Caliper Master”.

#8

make a test with a simple cube 1m x1m x 1m
and not with a complicated model…
try scale master

and when you have a result, whatever it is, report back here.
curious to know…

I don’t know the other plugin but it’s a bit old (does it still work in 4R7 ?) and not for free

#9

OK, I will try your idea tonight.

Thank you.

#10

Problem solved! Thank you Alexx.

You are right that Scale Master is a good process. I watched all the videos on it and Scale Master is a good way because it lets you pick the outter bounding box dimensions easily for setting your scale.

Caliper Master is another plugin that I tried and it is also very good for scaling models if you want to pick out specific parts of your model and make them a certain size.

I happen to have Caliper Master already installed so I did it that way and it worked fine for me. But, I will install Scale Master and try that next because it should be a little easier to scale by the entire x,y, z bounding box instead of manually picking.

Thank you again.