ZBrushCentral

Move start point of curve when using Frame Mesh etc.

Is there a way to move / reposition the start point of a curve when using frame mesh etc… ?

Thanks!

snap

Hello @solidsilver

I’m unaware of any way to control where Frame Mesh places the point in any sort of deliberate fashion.

If you create this curve around geometry like a sphere or cylinder, and turn this sort of circular curve to face the camera at an axis locked angle with the target mesh visible, you can rotate the the curve if you have a curve brush selected and you drag on the curve. With care, it can be possible to rotate the point around to a new position without deforming the curve.

If the curve is to be a target for a 3d curve stroke, you can always rotate the geometry after it has been drawn out.


Perhaps the better question might be to ask what you are trying to do that the start point placement is a problem? There might be a better way to go about that.

Hi,
Thanks for the reply!

Basically I was trying control where the first mesh was going to be placed on the curve. . I know i used a cylinder as an example but the shapes i typically use are more sculpted so i couldnt really rotate anything around to achieve this. . .

Hi @solidsilver
Another way to control the placement of the start and end points would be to break the polyloops at the point in question.
It’s best to create 2 polygroups on either side of the future curve. Then delete or hide one or more polygons exactly where you want the start to be.
Use Stroke > Curve Functions > Frame Mesh (default keyboard shortcut 7) just make sure you uncheck Border and Creased Edges options.

PGs curve

hope this helps
cheers
Rafal

2 Likes

Great idea @RafalZelazo!


It got me thinking though. I’m not saying this is the best way to do what @solidsilver wants to do–often when you’re talking about wanting exacting control over the placement of instances you’re getting into nanomesh territory rather than a curve function. Remember that you can always use a curve stroke to draw out simple control geometry, like a tube, then manipulate the topology to exactly size or place the nanos.


However, following up on RafalZ’s idea there are some other options for doing this that don’t require you to break the curve. It just comes down to using a combination of selection modes with Frame Mesh. It would not have occurred to me before RafalZ’s post.

In the following example, you’ll see that I have used polygroups to define where I want to place the curve, and used Zmodeler to crease a single edge connected to that border. When I then Frame Mesh with both Polygroups and Creased Edges enabled, it places the point at that intersection.

framepoint

If this kind of polygroup/topology manipulation is too destructive to your mesh, create a duplicate subtool to create the curve with.

Good Luck! :slightly_smiling_face:

1 Like

Awesome @Spyndel :smiley:

This is a great tip, thank you!
It didn’t occur to me that a single creased edge would both attract the curve start point and not be added to the curve itself!

I do this pretty often and your improved version will save me precious time.
Especially now since creasing is permitted on subdivision models - so no duplicating, hiding, deleting, etc. just a simple crease.

cheers
Rafal