Sketch your mesh!
MeshFromMask example – ZBrush artist: Paul Gaboury
MeshFromMask is an amazingly fast and simple mesh creation tool. Simply outline your desired shape with the masking lasso and this shape will instantly be turned into an editable mesh. Although your stroke must begin on a mesh, it can then be continued over open canvas if you wish. You can add to your shape, subtract from it or cut holes with real-time updates to the generated mesh.
Lasso, circle, rectangle, and curve stroke types are supported, as are alphas. The selection brush now also supports the smooth control and precision of Lazy Mouse.
MeshFromMask also has two modes: it can create soft organic shapes or precise flat shapes of uniform thickness with bevels.
MeshFromMask is available as several new dedicated masking brushes in the Brush palette. Hold Ctrl in order to select the MeshFromMask brush you want to use.
Organic shapes
MeshBalloon
This brush will create an organic balloon-like shape based on the mask shape you draw.
MeshSplat
This brush will create a splatter effect that fills the mask shape you draw.
Flat shapes
MeshExtrude
This brush will create a shape of uniform thickness based on the shape you draw. Each shape will have the same thickness as the other shapes. The shapes can have a bevel – see MeshFromMask functions below.
MeshExtrudePropDepth
This brush will create a shape of uniform thickness based on the shape you draw. Each shape will have a thickness proportional to its size. The shapes can have a bevel – see MeshFromMask functions below.
MeshProject
This brush will follow the curvature of the underlying surface.
Using MeshFromMask
Hold Ctrl and select the MeshFromMask brush you want to use. You must start drawing the mask on top of an existing polymesh which must not have subdivision levels. Still holding Ctrl, draw out a shape. Release the mouse when you have finished and the mesh will be created.
As long as the model has not been moved or rotated, you can add to the shape by drawing another mask. Before releasing the mouse, hold Shift. ZBrush then uses the outline of the two masks to create a single shape. Shapes can be cut out in the same way by holding Alt.
The way the mesh is created can be further controlled by using the Picker>>Depth subpalette. Turn on Cont Z to have the shape mould itself to the underlying mesh. Turn on Once Z to create the shape free in space.
The thickness of the resulting mesh can be set by adjusting the Draw>ZIntensity slider. For the organic shapes this will be the amount the mesh is inflated. A setting of zero will result in a single-sided mesh.
Remember to hold Ctrl when adjusting any of these settings!
Using with Live Boolean
MeshFromMask can be used with Live Boolean turned on to quickly create intricate shapes using the Boolean process:
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- hold Shift just before releasing the mouse for Addition
- hold Alt just before releasing the mouse for Subtraction
- hold Shift+Alt just before releasing the mouse for Intersection
MeshFromMask functions
The MeshFromMask functions are in the Brush>>MaskMesh Modifiers subpalette.
Resolution
Resolution affects the polygon density of the MeshFromMask mesh. Higher values result in a denser mesh. For MeshSplat this can result in greater detail at higher resolutions, or fewer splats at lower resolutions.
Smoothness
The amount that the mask border is smoothed.
Bevel
The width of bevel applied. Higher values result in a larger bevel. (Only available for MeshExtract, MeshExtractPropDepth and MeshProject brushes.)