Setting background image for reference.

system · July 3, 2019, 7:56am

I’m trying to use Image Plane>Load Image to set an image behind my model (which is in edit mode) to use as a reference while building zspheres. But when I try, two things happen:

One, the model I’m currently working on disappears!

Two, the image I tried to load is not set behind the model I’m working on, but gets put on a “3-D plane” in the tool palette.

How do I get the image behind my 3-D model? I’m following very simple instructions from a video, and copying it exactly, but getting very different results.

zber2 · July 4, 2019, 12:14am

Don’t miss any steps and do them exactly as written and start with an empty canvas.

Import the images you want to use via the ‘Texture’ menu. For example “Front View” and “Right view”.
Select the “Front View” image so it is in the Texture slot.
Open ‘Image Plane’ plugin, Reference Views and with the ‘Front’ button enabled, click ‘Load Image’
Select the ZSphere from the ‘Tool’ palette and draw it on the canvas and enable ‘Edit’ mode.
In ‘Image Plane’ plugin, click ‘Store View’
Go back to Texture menu and select the “Right View” image so it is in the Texture slot.
In ‘Image Plane’ plugin, Reference Views, select ‘Right’ button and then click ‘Load Image’. At this point, the ZSphere will disappear.
It’s important that you click on the ‘Tool’ icon and select the ZSphere again from the ‘3D Meshes’ palette. When selected, draw it on the canvas and enable ‘Edit’ mode.
In ‘Image Plane’ plugin, click ‘Store View’ You are now set up for Front and Right views.
In ‘Image Plane’ plugin, Reference Views, click ‘Save/Load’ and save the views so you don’t have to do all this all over again in case you have to continue the project at a later date.
Once you start to edit the ZSphere, you will have to orientate the zsphere to the front and right views. You can turn on X Symmetry to determine which is which. For example, hold down Shift and rotate/snap the view for the front view and with ‘Front’ button selected in ‘Image Plane’, click ‘Store View’. Select the ‘Right’ button in ‘Image Plane’ and repeat the proceedure for that view. Now just select ‘Front’ and ‘Right’ buttons in ‘Image Plane’ to change the views.

The Flat Color material will be selected, so you can change that if you want.

Wazer · July 5, 2019, 1:55pm

zber2:

Don’t miss any steps and do them exactly as written and start with an empty canvas.

Import the images you want to use via the ‘Texture’ menu. For example “Front View” and “Right view”.

Select the “Front View” image so it is in the Texture slot.

Open ‘Image Plane’ plugin, Reference Views and with the ‘Front’ button enabled, click ‘Load Image’

Select the ZSphere from the ‘Tool’ palette and draw it on the canvas and enable ‘Edit’ mode.

In ‘Image Plane’ plugin, click ‘Store View’

Go back to Texture menu and select the “Right View” image so it is in the Texture slot.

In ‘Image Plane’ plugin, Reference Views, select ‘Right’ button and then click ‘Load Image’. At this point, the ZSphere will disappear.

It’s important that you click on the ‘Tool’ icon and select the ZSphere again from the ‘3D Meshes’ palette. When selected, draw it on the canvas and enable ‘Edit’ mode.

In ‘Image Plane’ plugin, click ‘Store View’ You are now set up for Front and Right views.

In ‘Image Plane’ plugin, Reference Views, click ‘Save/Load’ and save the views so you don’t have to do all this all over again in case you have to continue the project at a later date.

Once you start to edit the ZSphere, you will have to orientate the zsphere to the front and right views. You can turn on X Symmetry to determine which is which. For example, hold down Shift and rotate/snap the view for the front view and with ‘Front’ button selected in ‘Image Plane’, click ‘Store View’. Select the ‘Right’ button in ‘Image Plane’ and repeat the procedure for that view. Now just select ‘Front’ and ‘Right’ buttons in ‘Image Plane’ to change the views.

The Flat Color material will be selected, so you can change that if you want.

Thanks Zber2, not my question but defiantly the answer i was seeking…

zber2 · July 4, 2019, 12:15am

Your welcome Wazer!

system · July 4, 2019, 12:15am

Thank you for your patience! This helped a lot.

zber2 · July 4, 2019, 12:15am

No problem Nickeroon, your welcome.

image123 · July 4, 2019, 12:15am

Setting up an image plane should be a more automated function in Zbrush. Is there a way to make the tool you are working on transparant in order to use or see the image behind?

zber2 · July 5, 2019, 1:55pm

Use the ‘Model Opacity’ slider in Texture > Image Plane > Reference Views to make the model transparent.

zber2 · July 5, 2019, 1:55pm

I should also mention that if you are working on a Tool in Edit mode, then you decide you want to use ‘Image Plane’ and load an image and the Tool suddenly disappears when you do, then just open the Tool palette and select something else first like another primative, but don’t draw it on the canvas, then reselect the Tool you were working on and draw it on the canvas.

Basically, what is happening, as far as I can tell, is if you have a Tool in Edit mode and you load an image into ‘Image Plane’, it puts you into 2.5D mode. So, the currently selected tool you were working on will now be drawn in 2.5D and to get out of that you have to select a different Tool.