Zbrush character to animation general question

ARNOLD107 · Jul 2020

hey guys, I am new to Zbrush, I am creating my first character. I made a base female and sculpted armor on it. I want to use this character for a game. So, my question is that is it OK to have the chest armor and body as a single mesh? will I have any problem rigging it? or have to separate them

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5021068/uploads/editor/0x/vym43saqqwvo.jpg

All in green is single mesh

Eric Chadwick · Jul 2020

Typically for form-fitting armor like this, the final lowpoly in-game mesh will all be attached/welded into a contiguous mesh. Including the gray parts.

Reasons you may to keep them separate: 1) modular character with swappable parts. 2) you need flesh under the armor to slide around a bit.

ARNOLD107 · Jul 2020

Character won't be changing armor, my only main concern is Retopology, I mean rigging needs a specific type of topology(or thats what I think, i am noob). If I can retopo with the armor attached as one, it would save me the hassle of separating mesh.

Eric Chadwick · Jul 2020

Make the meshes contiguous, as much as possible, this will reduce headaches later when binding the vertices to the bones (skinning).

For example, take a look at how the shirt transitions to the pants, or the pants to the shoes.

Image: http://wiki.polycount.com/w/images/7/79/Topo_StreetCop1_MashruMishu.jpg

Street Cop by Mashru Mishu. More examples here http://wiki.polycount.com/wiki/BodyTopology

Eric Chadwick · Jul 2020

More reasons for contiguous meshes:
http://wiki.polycount.com/wiki/Normal_Map_Modeling#Contiguous_Meshes

Zbrush character to animation general question

Replies