Vector output to ZBrush

Started by mhaze, January 23, 2019, 08:12:32 AM

Previous topic - Next topic

mhaze

I've been following an excellent tutorial on how to convert TG terrains to Vector output. Has anyone tried this with ZBrush as I have totally failed to import the map in any usable way. Help and advice gratefully received.

j meyer

#1
Have you seen this video already?

Sorry, had to edit this, because the link lead to the wrong video.
I'll be back soon.

j meyer

Seems like I'm not able to make a link that leads to the video directly.
It's on ZBCentral or youtube under #Ask ZBrush Vol.2 , video no.50.
Titled: #Ask ZBrush:"How can I import and export Vector Displacement Maps for sculpting?"
You should find the solution there.
Sorry for the inconvenient way with no direct link.

mhaze

Hi, Yep I've watched it and tried it- I get a very stretched sphere with the VDM spread over it.  I've saved the output from TG as a .exr  both 16 and 32 bit and tried both in ZB - no luck!

j meyer

Too bad.
Unfortunately I don't know of any solution here.
Maybe Pixologic's support can help.

mhaze

I hope so, I've contacted them.

digitalguru

I don't use Zbrush, but the last I heard it could output vector displacements but not read them, hopefully, that's changed.

mhaze

No, sadly that's still the case.

mhaze

Seems mudbox is the only program that can do this - subscription only!

digitalguru

Yes, but it's not too bad if you only want to use it for a month.
Shame, because there seem to be a lot more tutorials and examples for sculpting nice rock in Zbrush than Mudbox


mhaze

I've found another way this time but.. maybe in the future.

D.A. Bentley (SuddenPlanet)

Not sure if I understand your question, but ZBrush 2018 does support export of Vector Displacement Maps (VDM).

-Here are some links-

Video showing the VDM Export Process (skipped ahead to correct time):
https://youtu.be/F_uus4pQVPA?t=310

ZBrush Docs on VDMs:
http://docs.pixologic.com/user-guide/3d-modeling/exporting-your-model/vector-displacement-maps/

A video showing you how to create a "VDM Brush" in ZBrush (not a map but useful in ZBrush):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aul9wWSovNs

Also there are other Apps as mentioned that can export VDMs such as Mudbox, Modo, and Terragen.

Mudbox Videos:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJJQaQDRkG8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vkb9HX6FSZE

Modo:
https://learn.foundry.com/modo/content/help/pages/sculpting/sculpt_commands.html
http://community.foundry.com/discuss/topic/36800/geometry-to-brush-how-does-it-work

Terragen:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bTKfAeEPDhY&feature=youtu.be
https://planetside.co.uk/forums/index.php?topic=21311.0

I'm not sure, but Blender might export VDMs as well.

Hope that helps,

Derek




mhaze

The problem is importing a terragen generated VDM into another software.

D.A. Bentley (SuddenPlanet)

#13
Quote from: mhaze on January 30, 2019, 12:41:55 PM
The problem is importing a terragen generated VDM into another software.

Ah, I see.  Well there are plenty of programs that can import/convert VDMs to a 3D mesh, so you could just convert the mesh to an OBJ model and import that into ZBrush.  :)

Modo can freeze Displacement, and Vector Displacement to a mesh item:
https://learn.foundry.com/modo/content/help/pages/layout/freezing_geometry.html?Highlight=Vector%20Displacement

Blender seems to be capable of doing this (Export mesh with VDM applied):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vgKjn1mV2hI
https://docs.blender.org/manual/en/latest/render/cycles/nodes/types/vector/vector_displacement.html

mhaze