Tris to Quads

Chris Fullmer

You'll probably have to do some serious diggin into how z-brush inports mesh and what it needs. It is a very special program in that it works fundamentally different than most other 3d modelers, so it will have special requirements probably. SU on the other hand is also special, so it creates geometry very differently than other 3d modelers. I would say SU achieves its speed in modeling through a lack of precision in its inner workings. Whereas z-brush achieves its results through extreme precision. Perhaps they are just too fundamentally different? Who knows, maybe my assessments are completely off base?

Chris

Frederik

Like Gaieus, I also thought SU didn't triangulate the mesh...
If you export to obj-format you can tick and untick the "Triangulate all faces" in the options...
So - if things are already triangulated, why this option...??

raduteo

That did nothing as far as I can tell.

pilou

that can maybe help you
Merge button must be enable
Cursor weld activated
Tri to Quad also

For have this menu "Import"
create any volume 3D then Menu Tool / Make Polymesh 3D
You have now Menu tool/ Import

raduteo

(missed some posts while posting the above message)

Yes, I know the 2 are very different programs but isn't there a program that I can use as a "middle-man"? SU can export in so many different formats there must be a program out there that can import the model, adjust it to suit Zbrush's needs, but the question is which is that program?

Thanks.

Khai

@frederik said:

Like Gaieus, I also thought SU didn't triangulate the mesh...

it doesn't. I export from Sketchup in Quads...

Chris Fullmer

That's great to say, but how about an explanation of what you mean and how to do it.

Khai

simply model with quads and export. when I was trying out Pro, I just exported. now I'm using the free version and the export ruby, thats all I'm doing...

the main thing I think is I don't leave any N-gons... I split them down into Quads before I export...habit from modeling in trueSpace for Poser..

raduteo

..I would try what you said if it were more explicit (I mean, retard proof), I'm not really technical savvy, I'm just trying to model...

Thanks.

pilou

@unknownuser said:

now I'm using the free version

SU kmz -->Blender-->obj-->Zbrush
SU skp-->DoublecadXt dxf 2000 2003-->Blender-->obj-->Zbrush

Khai

@raduteo said:

..I would try what you said if it were more explicit (I mean, retard proof), I'm not really technical savvy, I'm just trying to model...

Thanks.

it's simple. I make sure there's no faces with more than 4 sides (3 if I have no choice). that's all.
if there is a face with more than 4 sides I draw in lines to split it down to 4.

Khai

@unknownuser said:

@unknownuser said:

now I'm using the free version

SU kmz -->Blender-->obj-->Zbrush
SU skp-->DoublecadXt dxf 2000 2003-->Blender-->obj-->Zbrush

well I'm using this http://sketchuptips.blogspot.com/2007/01/wavefront-obj-exporter.html without any issues...

pilou

Can you post an of your file Skp example?

raduteo

I tried to export it to blender and then to Zbrush and still, nothing.
I attached a model as an example.

Thanks.

SR.skp

raduteo

Hate to be a pest but is there a clear solution on how to export/edit/re-export from another program a SU model so that it can be usable in Zbrush?

Thanks for your time.

Khai

ok I can see why thats not working for you.

you need to split the faces into four sided polygons.

here's what I mean.

see how on the right I've split the face into four sided polygons? thats what you need to to. Quads (four sided) are preferable, but if you need to use a Tri (triangle) do so.

you can then use the linked Ruby Script I posted earlier to export the mesh as an OBJ straight into Zbrush with no other programs needed.

pilou

With any manipulation I obtain that
As I have SU free version I must use DoublecadXT-Blender-Zbrush
(trying the obj plug export in the past but had some problems with complex models)
Seems works fine!
You must enable "Double" in the Menu Tool / Initialize) for have double-side faces
(click image for zoom 1/1 )

Khai

@unknownuser said:

With any manipulation I obtain that
As I have SU free version I must use DoublecadXT-Blender-Zbrush
(trying the obj plug export in the past but had some problems with complex models)
Seems works fine!
You must enable "Double" in the Menu Tool / Initialize) for have double-side faces
(click image for zoom 1/1 )

doublesided faces?

ye gods man. those don't play well with a lot of 3D apps. the method I've shown, using Quads will work with any 3D app that imports OBJ files.

but I'll leave you to your convoluted workflow...

pilou

@unknownuser said:

double-side faces?

Internal, external so your are sure to have an opaque face!
But that take double time to calculate

Khai

@unknownuser said:

@unknownuser said:

double-side faces?

Internal, external so your are sure to have an opaque face!
But that take double time to calculate

double siding the face makes it opaque from both sides. if you are only viewing from 1 side, you don't need to double side the faces at all.

with a solid that has no requirement for a view from inside that would require a solid view, all you are doing is doubling the polygon count and also with a few applications introducing a zero thickness doublesided polygon.. not good, since they clash and when displayed rendered you end up with 'hatching' as each face try to display at once.