Other Improvements and Additions
From ZBrush Info
Contents |
Morph target
Tool >> Morph Target >> Morph Width and Height: Revert the width or the height of the current model, but not its length. The effect is dependent upon the value of the corresponding sliders. These settings have mainly been added to benefit the FiberMesh feature and FiberMesh objects automatically have a Morph target created when the FiberMesh is accepted
Export images and textures as JPG files
ZBrush 4R2b introduces the ability to export using the JPG format. Previously, it was only possible to export images using the non-destructive BMP or PSD file formats. While these formats retain all image data, they’re also very large files and cannot easily be posted online or sent via email. This previously meant having to use a third party application to convert the image if you wanted to (for example) share your creation on ZBrushCentral.
When you decide to export an image (via Document >> Export or Texture >> Export) a new exporter window allows you to select the JPG format. If you choose this format the window will give you options to select a compression amount and preview the results. It will also display the estimated final file size. This new exporter also allows you to crop your image by manipulating the corresponding sliders or by dragging the red circles in the corners of the cropped region. ZBrush will only export the area within the red circles.
If you wish to navigate, you can simply click and drag on the image to pan it inside the window. The image will always display the final render at 100% scale.
Visible Symmetry Center
The Visible Symmetry Center mode, locate in the Transform palette allows you work using the local symmetrical axis of whatever portion of the object is currently visible. It doesn’t matter whether or not the visible portion is centered on the world axis. Keep in mind that this symmetry mode is based on the center of the visible object’s bounding box and doesn’t use Topological Symmetry. As a result, it can have unexpected behavior or only provide approximate symmetry if the visible area is not symmetrical to begin with.
Preferences
Automode has been added to the Preferences >> Performance sub-palette. This will automatically set the Multithread step value to provide the best setting as a wrong value can have a negative impact on your ZBrush performance.
Masks Based on Polygroups
Polygroups can be masked by Ctrl+clicking when Edit Move, Scale or Rotate mode is selected (when the Transpose action line is available). All but the clicked polygroup will be masked. Ctrl+click the background to reverse the mask. When masking a polygroup in this way, the generated Mask will be applied to the entire polygroup at 100% intensity. In previous versions of ZBrush, the border of the polygroup was only Masked at 50%.
Stored Ambient Occlusion and Shadows Information
In ZBrush 4R2, shadow and Ambient Occlusion information were stored only as long as the model position and orientation remained unchanged. This let you re-render much more quickly, but the data was lost if you needed to move the model for any reason (or did so accidentally). The computing solution is stored in a way that lets the data be reused even if you move the model, so long as the model is returned to its exact original position prior to rendering. This means that if you use the Timeline to store your model position, do a render and then change the model position as needed. When you are ready to re-render, simply click the keyframe again to put your model back in its original position. Now when you render, the previously calculated shadows and/or AO will be reused.
Preview of Mesh Extract before validation
When using Tool >> SubTool >> Extract the model now instantly creates a preview of the resulting mesh. You can then click the Accept button to finalize the extraction and create a new SubTool, or you can adjust the settings as necessary.
This change allows you tweak the Extract settings and values at will without the need to delete the created SubTool and start over.
Perspective improvement
If you disable Local mode and zoom into your model, ZBrush will keep the current perspective settings. This is different from the default perspective calculation in which ZBrush will visually adjust the camera to the model as you scale it. In simple terms:
- Under the old behavior, ZBrush will attempt to avoid camera clipping by adjusting the perspective on the fly.
- With the new setting, ZBrush will not adjust perspective as the model is scaled, which allows you to go inside the model if you zoom close to your object.
- Auto Adjust Distance: This setting allows the camera to adjust perspective in order to avoid clipping. Disable to make use of the new behavior.
