Go ZBrush
General
GoZ is short for Go ZBrush. It allows communication and the exchange of information between Cinema 4D and ZBrush.
The previous version used a C.O.F.F.E.E. script to import and export the mesh data. Since C.O.F.F.E.E. is no longer being used, an alternative solution had to be implemented.
The old script couldn't deal with millions of polygons, couldn't import polypaint information or polygroup information.
How to Use
Inside Cinema 4D
Before starting
It's better to close ZBrush if it's already running.
Use the install command
Inside Cinema 4D, use the GoZ Install command to create the script and change the configuration files that will be used by the bridge. This will make the current Cinema 4D installation the active application for ZBrush.
This command needs to be run only once or each time that you have linked ZBrush to another application, and Cinema 4D was no longer the active application.
How to use Polygroup paint
If you want to create a , Polygon Group you can use the command GoZ Assign Polygroup to apply to the selected polygon a new Polygon Group. This command will automatically create the Polygroup tag if it doesn't already exist.
You can also create the tag manually and use the button inside the Polygon Group tag. The tag can be found under Tags > Other Tags > Polygon Group in the Object Manager.
How to use and export Polypaint
If you want to export Polypaint, the Vertext Color tag must be named "Polypaint" in order for it to be recognized and exported to ZBrush
Exporting the mesh
You can select the mesh you want to export to ZBrush and click on GoZ Export. Wait for ZBrush to be launched and you should find your mesh as a new tool (or sub-tool if you specify the corresponding option within ZBrush).
In ZBrush
Check the ZBrush documentation regarding workflow at http://docs.pixologic.com/user-guide/ZBrush-other-programs/goz/workflow/ or http://docs.pixologic.com/user-guide/ZBrush-other-programs/goz/workflow.
The commands
These commands can be found in the Extention Menu / Go ZBrush.
This command allows you to install the batch files and change the configuration files necessary to link your Cinema 4D application to ZBrush. If ZBrush is already runniing, you should relaunch it so it will refresh the configuration.
This command allows you to import the last object imported or the object that is currently active in ZBrush. Importing a high-density mesh with its Polypaint information can take a while. You can disable the Polypaint import in your Cinema 4D preferences and only perform the import, which will be faster.
Objects can also be sent directly from ZBrush to Cinema 4D. This can be done using the GoZ function in the Tool menu. Make sure to always only send the currently selected Subtool to Cinema 4D (or the application connected with ZBrush via GoZ) in the event you use Subtools.
This command allows you to export the selected mesh to ZBrush. If ZBrush is not already running, it will launch and automatically load your mesh in ZBrush.
This command will add the selected polygon to a new Polygroup.
The ZBrush Polygroup tag
Selecting and deselecting polygons of a polygon group
The Polygon Group tag lets you save selected polygons for use in ZBrush as polygon groups. Also, polygon groups created in ZBrush will be passed to this tag in Cinema 4D and can be used there as normal polygon selections.
If polygon groups are saved in the Polygon Group tag, you will see this in Cinema 4D in the form of different colors on an object's surface when the tag is selected. In the image above you can, for example, see two red groups and one bray group on the sphere.
To convert these to a normal polygon selection, click on the Select From Polygon Group button in the Polygon Group tag. This will enable a special selection tool. You can then select all polygons of a polygon group in the Viewport, or add or remove a selection.
Depending on what you select in the Polygon Group tag's Mode menu, the following will happen:
- Select: Any existing polygon selection will be deselected and a new selection consisting of the ones on which you clicked will be made.
- Add: A new polygon selection will be created consisting of the polygons on which you clicked. Any existing selection will be maintained.
- Deselect: The polygons on which you click in the polygon group will be deselected.
Polygroups in ZBrush
Polygroups can also be highlighted using color. To do so, press Shift+F or activate the Draw Polyfram icon, as is shown at the bottom right of the image below.
