ZBrush - Instanced Work/Layering?

Ace-Angel

Hey to all,

I was wondering if it's possible to use Instance in ZB to essentially do the stuff application like Max and Maya allow.

So yeah, is it possible for ZB to do this? Like say I work on a Subtool or Tool mesh and see the changes I'm doing to it, to my 'composed' final, or is there no such function?

Example: Lets say I have a gun, I'm working on the barrel, I would like to work on an 'exploded' or instanced version of the barrel, while at the same time, having access to the 'unexploded' version, or original, in which I can see how the whole gun looks, so I can change the design if I wish.

Reason: There are sometimes nooks and crannies in which I'm unable to access them, especially on highly mechanical objects which are layered or clipping, and Ghost or Isolation are not useful, since I cannot see the whole of the design on the fly, especially if I mutiple layers/version of the barrel I would like to keep on the fly.

Cheers!

cryrid

You can have an instance of the document so that one window can be zoomed (2d) in and the other out, but otherwise they're pretty identical to each other so I don't know of any way to isolate a tool in one but not the other. That can be found under Preferences: Interface: Show Alt Doc View). I'll keep trying out a few things for my own curiosity, but there's a good chance you might just have to get used to Transparency or Solo mode. Timeline should help make them quicker to toggle if that helps make them more useful for you.

Ace-Angel

Thanks Cryrid, will look into that, and cheers for anything for you might discover.

nyx702

There was plugin/script made in like... Zbrush 2 that allowed for multiple independent canvases that would do what you are describing. Basically viewports. However... it hasn't worked since then. Infact I think the script commands are still there but it's not available in the current versions of ZB.

NO IDEA why they decided to remove this feature.

I was actually considering making a script that would place your mesh in a custom view off to the side and then take a snapshot of your model when you pressed a button/hotkey. Something like a "quick reference" button. It's not instant feedback but it would save you from pressing alot of buttons and moving your mesh around.

Bek

If that is just to store a certain camera view of your model that you often use, why not use the timeline? From memory it's under Movie > Timeline > Show timeline.

Ace-Angel, have you tried Xpose? It basically explodes your model. Will of course only work if all the parts are separate subtools.

cryrid

It's more so that he wants to sculpt on one view (isolated / exploded) and have instantaneous access to how it looks with all the other subtools, without having to toggle any keys.

Ace-Angel

Well, that sucks Nyx, that they removed said thingy from ZB, but I guess Pixo is Pixo.

As yes, a plugin like that would be awesome ;P

Well Bek, XPose is an option I was thinking of using, but for some reason, in my version of ZB4.3, in XPose the Layers get locked, so I can't sculpt then, pity because that would be the most immediate solution for lazy people like me.

And yep, what Cryrid said pretty much.