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My Zbrush Plugin!
May 16, 2012 - 2:01pm
- 7430 reads
I have been slowly posting this around some forums some of you may have seen it already . Most of them are pretty simple but I am trying to add some features that seem crazy to not have in the native program. Hopefully they can save you some time clicking stuff.
I am going to continue to add scripts as I make them. Feel free to let me know if you run into any issues or have any suggestions.
Mask Grow: this script will attempt to grow your mask similar to how you can grow a selection in Photoshop. Enter how many polygons you want it to grow by in the slider and click grow. This is best used at medium to low SubD levels. At higher SubD levels it takes forever and the effect is barley noticeable. Zbr3 does have a "Grow" and "Shrink" mask now but it works differently and blurs the mask.
All SubTools to SubD level: this script will put all your subtools at the SubD level indicated by the slider. This is similar to "All High" and "All Low" in the SubTool menu only with more customization.
PP to Mask: if you have any Polypaint this script will convert it into a mask based on color value with a single click. This is useful if you want a way to preserve complex masks. Note: this script will work with layers as long as the layer(s) are not active.
Colorize Toggle: this script sets colorize (Polypaint) on or off for all your SubTools at once. Toggling them individually if you have lots of Subtools can be super time consuming.
AutoMask PG: ordinarily the brush setting "AutoMask by Polygroup" is a slider. While this feature is awesome when you want it... it's irksome when you don't. This button toggles between 100 (on) and 0 (off) with a button press. Ideally this button should be pulled into your interface somewhere so it's handy.
- Random Color: this script was requested by someone on the ZBC fourms. It will assign a random color to each of your subtools. This is useful when rendering a flat color pass so you can easily select your subtools when compositing.
Huge thanks to my friend Matt and Marcus on the ZBC scripting forums. Couldn't have done anything without their continual help.
To instal:
Place ZSC file in your *\ZStartup\ZPlugs directory.
I have revived some comments that the written description for the Quick Load scripts are a tad confusing. I made a video demo to hopefully clarify things.
Hey guys! I have added a couple features to the plugin. These have to do with Subtool visibility. When you have lots of Subtools nothing is more aggravating then when you accidentally unhide all the Subtools you just took the time to carefully hide.
**IMPORTANT!**
I have also made the plugin look at a folder for some of the new data files the plugin generates to keep the clutter to a minimum. If you have used this plugin in the past, more specifically the Quick Load features, you will have to move the file "storedpath.zvr" into the "NicksToolsdata" folder to keep any stored Tool or Project paths. If you don't care or use those features then you can delete the .zvr files and Zbrush will make new ones in the right directory.
- Hide Above/Below: this script hides Subtools above or below the active Subtool in the Subtool menu. This is best used if your Subtools are somewhat organized. Just so their isn't any confusion this DOES NOT hide Subtools above or below based on the canvas position.
-Store/Restore Visibility: this feature is like an extended "Solo" or Isolation mode. When you press "Store Visibility" the current visibility status of all your Subtools are stored. You can hide/unhide subtools any way you want and then recall the stored visibility later. This is useful when you have alot of Subtools and want to just work on just a section. This is saved in between ZB sessions as well.
The script can be kind of slow with high SubD levels. If you want to speed the script up, select the top Subtool before running!
It is very important you do not add/delete or rearrange subtools after storing if you want to recall them again. It will give you an error and you will have to store the visibility again. The script looks at total subtool count so if you change it then it gets confused.
***
This is fantastic! Amazing work 
Do you have a logo or something that I could put into the first page so I can promote the thread?
*edit* I move the thread to the tips and tricks forum as its meant for this kind of stuff 
I got a couple cool updates to share. Firstly, I tried to make the UI a little more readable by making some pseudo-sections. I also have started including a "READ ME" file that includes all the descriptions for the scripts. This way you will always have them locally if you need them.
**IMPORTANT!**
If you have used this plugin in the past, please remove the old content first by deleting the "NicksToolsdata" folder.
If you want to keep the Quick Load project settings, you can copy the file "storedpath.zvr" into the new "NicksToolsdata" folder. If Zbrush fails to start you should just delete this file.
- Material Cycle: This script was inspired by our very own [URL="http://www.polycount.com/forum/showpost.php?p=1595056&postcount=113"]Hazardous[/URL]. Check out the link to see an better example than my GIF. He and many other artists swap their matcaps frequently during sculpting. I wanted to try and make this process faster and easier.
To use this script pick your desired material and then select a number to assign it to. Click "Set Mat" and the material will be assigned to that number. Whenever you scroll to that number or use the "<<Mat/Mat>>" buttons the material will be assigned to the mesh. Continue doing this for your other favorite materials. You can overwrite a material using the same process or clear it out altogether using the button. Note however that if a number is "blank" you will have to press the "<<Mat/Mat>>" again to move on to the next mat so I don't recommend leaving "blank" spots between numbers. The materials will stay assigned between ZB sessions as well.
For optimum use, you should assign the "<<Mat/Mat>>" buttons to hotkeys. I use the Left and Right Arrows. This script can also speed up your startup. Immediately after ZB loads I just tap the left arrow key and my sculpting gray blinn material is assigned and I am ready to rock!
Also note that the materials HAVE to be loaded first before they be cycled to. So ether use the materials in your Zstartup folder or load them before hand.
- Batch Rename: This one has been requested ALOT. Rightfully so! This script is mostly self-explanatory. You can set a prefix/suffix as well as any padding before the serial. You can also adjust the starting number of the serial with the slider. The "Underscore" button toggles if underscores will be placed before/after the prefix/suffix. (Ordinarily ZB will change all your underscores to hyphens.) Pressing "Rename" will rename only the visible subtools.
This script has to temporarily save the Subtool to rename it. This can make the script somewhat slow with multiple very dense meshes. I have renamed multiple 8-million polygon meshes with this with no problem. HOWEVER....PLEASE save your Tool before using this. You never know.
Download!
Thanks again to Marcus on the ZBC forums for constantly answering my nagging questions!
Fantastic!
-Jeremy-
I have implemented a Quick/Iterate Save feature as requested by someone on PolyCount.
Sorry. No Gif for this. Should be pretty self-explanatory. You guys are smart fellows.
To start the "Iterate Save", first chose or create a file with the "Set Save" button. In most cases you will be choosing the file you already have open however you can create a new name for the iterations if you wish. Then whenever "Iterate Save" is pressed a copy of your current tool will be saved. You can set this to a hotkey.
If "S" button is enabled the original file will be overwritten too (on by default). This works for both Ztools and Zprojects.
Update!
I added a few Miscellaneous scripts and I made a new sub-section for the new SubD related scripts. A couple bugs were fixed. A UI issue that caused buttons to overlap and something that was causing the batch rename Set to store incorrectly.
Oh... and probably the biggest fix for this update is it now works on Mac!
New Features
- ExportOptions: This script will toggle the Subtool Export Options, Texture, Merge UV Cords, and Sub Group, for all your Subtools. This is a minor annoyance but with large/many subtools Mrg UVs can be time consuming and has been known to crash Zbrush.
- Undo/Redo All: These buttons will Undo or Redo multiple times on each visible Subtool. How many times the script Undo/Redos is based on the "Amt" slider. This is perfect if you want to Undo actions that happen to all subtools such as Decimation.
- All SubTools to SubD level: this script is the same as it has been in the past however it is now used with the "All Minus" and "All Plus" buttons.
- All Minus/Plus: These buttons will go up or down SubDivision levels for all visible based on the SubD Lvl slider. If the slider is at 3 then pressing "All Minus" will take all your subtools down 3 SubD levels from their current.
- 1-9 buttons: Pressing these will put your SubD level at the number indicated. Ideally these would be hotkeyed for quick SubD level changes.
- H button: Puts the active subtool at the highest SubD level.
Shoot! I forgot to mention a feature!
With the 1 thru 9 buttons. If you mesh doesn't have SubD levels, pressing one of those buttons will divide that many times. So if you press "5" it will be like essentially pressing "Divide" five times.
Hey nyx702! I have been asking myself why Pixologic doesn't add a mask grow function for awhile now and you have obviously created a fix! I am going to download this script and check it out!!!!! Thanks cant wait to use it!
@micahmcneely: Yea I know! Seems crazy to not have.
Update time!
Just in time for the holidays. I have made a few new scripts as well as tweaks to others. The biggest addition is probably Smart Dynamesh. An edit to note is that the "AutoMask PG" button is now a toggle. Before you could not tell if AutoMask Polygoups was on or off. Now you can. It shouldn't cause any problems if you have it in your UI.
As Always let me know if you have any problems or have any ideas for new scripts. I realize the menu is getting pretty long. I may add some sub-menus in the future updates.
New Features
- TxtrAsignAll: This button will assign the currently selected texture (in the texture menu) to all visible subtools. The subtool must have UVs.
- Checker Toggle: This script will turn on the Checkerboard texture for the current subtool or all subtools if the "All" button is toggled. When the button is toggled off it will turn the checkerboard off or reassign the previous texture. The subtool must have UVs.
- Smart DynaMesh: This script takes the guess work out of getting an acceptable poly density with DynaMesh. No more moving the Dynamesh Resolution slider around and repeatedly undoing to get polygons you want. The script will create a Dynamesh near the "Target Polycount" slider. This is especially useful for hard surfaces that you know you will need a dense mesh.
Use this script instead of initially pressing Dynamesh then just Dynamesh as normal. This script is also great for reducing the polycount of your Dynamesh when the mesh gets too heavy. Reducing the polycount this way has very little detail loss.
- Target Polygoncount: Slider used for the Smart Dynamesh. Number is in Millions.
- Use Backups Folder: If this is enabled all the files created with "Iterate Save" will be put into a new folder called "Backups."
- Info/Help: This button will take you to the plugin's homepage (my website). There you can check for updates or lookup how to use a particular feature.
I have updated my plugin with a couple new features. These new buttons will hopefully reduce the amount of time spent browsing for commonly used files and get you sculpting faster.
There are two main things these buttons do. Store and Load Ztools and Zprojects to be quickly loaded on your next Zbrush session. Ztools and Zprojects are handled a little different so listen up. As always feel free post any questions or suggestions.
-Open: This button will open the browser for you to select a project. This button also automatically stores the project you open. So after you "Open" a project once its forever stored until you open other with this button.
- Store Tool 1-3: These buttons will store the current tool you are on. You can have three different tools stored at once. Clicking it again will overwrite the previous save. If you CRTL-Click the button it will display the path of the tool saved so you know which Tool is assigned to which button.
- Load Tool 1-3: These buttons will load the Ztools assigned to the neighboring buttons.
Note: To get optimal use out of these scripts I HIGHLY recommend making a custom menu with these buttons and docking it above the "Tools" palette so that it will be close to your other Save/Load buttons. As seen in the GIF image.
If you don't know how to make a custom menu this is a great How To.
Character Artist: Funcom --- Website
My Zbrush Plugin --- TileHelper Plugin