Polygon Actions perform various modifications on a model's polygons using the ZModeler brush, while Polygon Modifiers tune the behavior and outcome of Polygon Actions. These settings provide greater control over transformations, allowing for precise modifications, custom interactions, and dynamic workflow adjustments within the ZModeler brush.
All Modifiers are listed below alongside their corresponding Actions.
Creates a curve around the border of the selected polygon(s), adding new curves to previously existing curves. The generated curve is functional with Curve Actions or Curve brushes.
A polygon Bevel Action offsets and connects selected polygon edges by creating angled transitional surfaces. You can interactively adjust width, curvature, and edge sharpness with modifiers.
Determines the number of edge loops (1, 2, 4, or 8) inserted within the bevel polyloop, controlling the smoothness and transition of the beveled edge when using Dynamic or standard Subdivision smoothing.
Controls the placement of edge loop rows within the bevel, influencing smoothing in both Dynamic and standard Subdivision modes.
Linear: Evenly spaces Rows for a smooth transition.
Sharp: Moves Rows closer to surrounding geometry for sharper edges.
Soft Edge: Shifts the Rows toward the bevel's center for a smoother transition.
Custom: Allows manual placement of Rows (-100 to 100). A setting of 0 creates a Linear transition; positive values sharpen edges by moving loops outward, and negative values soften transitions by shifting loops inward.
Creates new geometry to connect polygons with adjustable shape, curvature, and tessellation, both dynamically and through parameters.
Alt/Option-modifier: Tap Alt/Option to change the Polygroup while bridging Connected Polys.
The Bridge Modifiers control how geometry is bridged between connected polygons, including profile shape, curvature, resolution, alignment, width, symmetry, polygroup assignment, and topology type, enabling precise control over the bridge's shape and flow.
Each profile option offers a unique shape applied to the bridged geometry between Connected Polys. The Resolution, Curvature, and other modifiers further define each shape.
Control how curvature and elevation apply to bridged polygons interactively or with a fixed value.
Interactive: Press and hold a polygon to create the Bridge and drag it left and right to adjust the curvature and elevation interactively.
Custom: Sets a fixed curvature value, turning off Interactive capabilities.
Control the number of edge loops added to the bridged polygons, interactively or with a custom value.
Interactive: Press and hold a polygon to Bridge and drag up and down to adjust the number of edge loops interactively.
Custom: Sets a fixed resolution value, turning off Interactive capabilities.
Defines how the Bridge aligns with its surrounding geometry, affecting the overall flow of the new topology.
To Tangent: Aligns the Bridge along the tangential direction of the adjacent polygons, following their surface curvature.
To Normal: Aligns the Bridge to the averaged surface normal of the selected polygons. This method is generally preferred when bridging between polygons with a low angle difference to maintain a smoother transition.
Control how the width of the bridged geometry distributes across its length.
Variable: Allows the Bridge to dynamically adjust its width, which is most noticeable when the selected polygons have differing edge lengths. This variation helps maintain proportionality when bridging mismatched polygon sizes.
Constant: Keeps a uniform width across the Bridge, ensuring even spacing regardless of the original polygon edge lengths.
Balances the width of the bridged geometry when connecting polygons with different edge lengths, helping to maintain even row distribution.
On: Ensures that rows maintain an averaged width across the Bridge, creating a more uniform transition when bridging polygons with varying edge lengths.
Off: Preserves the natural variation in width between the connected polygons. Leaving Off
can result in uneven row spacing when bridging polygons with different edge lengths.
Determine how Polygroups propagate to the generated bridge topology.
Rows: Assign distinct Polygroups to the newly created edge loops along the Bridge, making it easier to manipulate specific sections separately.
Flat: Assigns a single, unified Polygroup to the entire bridged surface, treating it as a single entity.
Defines the edge flow and polygon distribution on the sides of the Bridge, impacting both structural integrity and subdivision behavior.
Tri & Quad Loop: Generates a mix of triangles and quads along the Bridge's sides, ensuring compatibility with varying edge counts on connected polygons.
Triangles: This creates only triangular polygons for the side topology, which helps maintain structure in specific low-poly modeling workflows.
Quads: This creates only quadrilateral polygons for the side topology and is ideal for smooth subdivision deformation.
Selecting the target edge(s) applies a crease.
Alt/Option-modifier: Hold Alt/Option and click a creased edge to remove the crease.
The Crease Modifiers control edge creasing based on edge length, area, angle, target location, and edge type, providing precise control over how creases are applied to polygon edges.
Determine which polygon edges receive creases based on their length.
All: Applies creasing to all edges of the selected polygons.
Long: Applies creasing only to the most extended edges within the selected polygons.
Short: Applies creasing only to the shortest edges within the selected polygons.
Determine how creasing applies to edges based on the existing Polygroups or the surface area within the selected target.
All Faces: Applies creasing to all edges within the selected polygons, regardless of Polygroup boundaries.
Polygroup Border: Applies creasing only to edges where two different Polygroups meet, reinforcing the boundary between them.
Polygroup Inner: Applies creasing only to edges fully contained within a single Polygroup, leaving border edges uncreased.
Determines where edge creasing is applied based on the angles between polygons in the targeted region.
All: Applies creasing to all edges, regardless of the angle between polygons.
Shallow: Applies creasing to edges where polygons meet at low angles, creating smoother transitions.
Sharp: Applies creasing only to edges where polygons form a sharp angle, preserving hard edges.
Determines where creasing is applied within the selected target area, focusing on all edges, boundary edges, or internal edges.
All: Applies creasing to all edges within the selected target area, regardless of position.
Outer: Applies creasing only to boundary edges where the target area meets unselected geometry or open edges.
Inner: Applies creasing to all edges except boundary edges, affecting only internal edges within the target area.
Determine which edges receive creases within the Target area. Some Edges settings can interact with Target settings, potentially overriding or complementing each other based on their combination.
All: Applies creasing to all edges within the selected target area, including boundary and internal edges.
Outer: Applies creasing only to edges at the boundary of an opening, such as the perimeter of a hole or an open surface.
Inner: Applies creasing only to internal edges within the target area, excluding any edges that form an open boundary.
Remove selected polygons, leaving a hole.
Disable Polygon Actions, preventing unintended modifications.
Slides edges to equalize lengths, converting polygons into squares.
Extends selected polygons to create new geometry, either connected to or detached from the original surface. Modifiers control the attached or detached method, step increments, and Polygroup behavior.
Ctrl/Cmd-modifier: While extruding, hold to convert the target polygon(s) extrusion into a separated island.
Alt/Option-modifier: Tap to change the Polygroups assigned to the extruded surface while extruding.
Shift-modifier: While extruding, hold to convert the extrusion into a Polygon Move Action.
Defines how extruded polygons interact with the surface and step spacing, including connection, detachment, and extrusion increments.
One Side Poly: A standard extrusion method that connects the extruded polygon(s) to the surface.
No Sides Polys: Detaches the extruded polygon(s), creating an island. Hold the Ctrl/Cmd-modifier while dragging to apply this behavior.
Step By Brush: Applies a stepping extrusion behavior, determining the spacing between extruded polygons based on Draw Size—larger sizes increase the distance between steps, while smaller sizes decrease it.
Step Size: Applies a uniform stepping extrusion with fixed spacing, independent of Draw Size.
Reverse the selected polygon(s) surface normals.
Based on their surface normals, apply a balloon-like inflation effect to the selected polygon(s).
These modifiers control the Inflate deformation's movement based on the normal direction of faces, edges, or points.
Face Normal: Inflates polygons along their shared normal, moving them perpendicularly on a flat surface.
Edge Normal: Inflates polygons based on the average normal of their connected edges.
Point Normal: Inflates polygons using the normals of individual vertices, creating a varied directional effect.
Place NanoMesh geometry onto the target polygons as independent, non-welded components.
Shift-modifier: While dragging within the target polygon(s), hold Shift to apply the Insert NanoMesh to all polygons that share the same Polygroup as the selected polygon.
Adds a center point within a polygon and connects new edges to the surrounding points.
Based on the topology of the target area, this action adds single or multiple edge loops within the target polygons. This action respects masking.
Alt/Option-modifier: Press and hold the target polygon(s) and repeatedly tap Alt/Option to change the Insert Polyloop's Polygroup.
The Insert Polyloops Modifiers control the insertion of edge loops by defining distribution patterns, insertion modes, and polygroup assignments, enabling precise control over loop placement and topology maintenance.
Defines how edge loops are added and distributed within the target region.
Interactive: Adjusts the number of inserted edge loops based on cursor movement (up/down/left/right).
Even (No Tris): Distributes edge loops evenly across the target region while preserving quad topology.
Custom: Inserts a specific number of edge loops based on a defined input value.
Controls the pattern used when inserting edge loops.
Loops: Adds continuous edge loops that follow the topology of the target region.
Grid: Creates a structured grid of edge loops, requiring a flat, loop-free surface.
SunBurst: Generates radial edge loops expanding outward from a central point.
Determine the Polygroup assignment for inserted edge loops.
Alternate: Applies new polygroups to the inserted edge loops.
Same: Maintains the existing polygroup for the inserted edge loops.
Keep: Preserves the original polygroups without modification.
Generates a scaled-down, offset version of the target polygon(s) by introducing new edges along the perimeter, maintaining connectivity with the original geometry.
Alt/Option-modifier: Tap Alt/Option to change the Inset polygon's Polygroups while applying the Inset action.
Control how inset polygons are generated, including their placement, spacing, and size limitations. These settings determine whether insets affect individual polygons or entire regions and how they interact with surrounding topology.
Defines which parts of the original polygon remain after the inset is applied.
Center and Border: This creates a separate polygroup for the inset center and the surrounding border.
Border Only: Removes the center, leaving only the inset border.
Center Only: Removes the border, keeping only the inset center.
Determines whether the inset is applied to individual polygons or as a unified region.
Region: Insets all selected polygons as a single unit, maintaining equidistant spacing across the entire selection.
Each Poly: Insets each polygon individually, creating separate insets for every face in the selection.
Controls how the inset maintains spacing and topology across the affected area.
Equidistant: Ensures uniform inset spacing around the area, adding extra edges if necessary to maintain a consistent profile.
Standard: This adjusts the spacing profile as needed without adding additional quads or triangles.
Legacy: Preserves the profile without guaranteeing equidistant spacing, potentially adding extra quads or triangles.
Restrict the maximum size of the inset.
None: Allows the inset to be any size without limitation.
Default: Limits the inset to a predefined maximum size.
Custom: Sets a user-defined size limit using the slider.
Generates new edges to maintain equidistant spacing when the Equidistant option is enabled.
Default: Automatically manages intersecting geometry to create a precise equidistant inset, adding additional points where necessary.
Custom: Allows manual adjustment of the snapping threshold to reduce the number of additional edges while maintaining equidistant spacing.
The Crease Edges feature lets your inset edges become creases. The above example shows the result of hovering over a polygon face and dragging across it, creating an inset with creased edges. (Crease lines are thicker than regular edges.)
Notice in the above image how every edge in our poly is creased. This is because we picked the Crease New Edges option. Alternatively, selecting Crease Inner Poly only creases the inner edges, not those connected to the polygon's outer vertices (see below).
A mask is applied to target polygons to protect them from changes.
Alt/Option-modifier: To unmask, press and hold the target polygon(s), hold Alt/Option to unmask them, and release the cursor or touch pressure from the screen.
Controls the orientation of the mesh when converting it into a NanoMesh brush. These settings determine whether the stored mesh retains its original alignment or adjusts to match the normal of the clicked polygon for more precise placement.
Alt/Option-modifier: Hold and select polygons for assignment to a NanoMesh brush component. Release the modifier and select the target polygon(s) again to create the brush component.
Defines how the target geometry is oriented when converted into a NanoMesh brush.
To Mesh Orientation: Preserves the original orientation of the mesh when converting it into a brush, ensuring that it maintains its existing alignment during application.
To Selected Face Normal: Aligns the stored mesh to the normal of the clicked polygon when applied. For accurate alignment, switch to an orthogonal view and carefully position the camera before using this modifier.
Move the target polygon(s) consistently along surface normals or a selected axis.
Shift-modifier: Offered only with the Align to Normal modifier, hold Shift while moving to override constraints, allowing free movement in any direction.
Defines how the target polygons move relative to the surface or world axes.
To Normal: Moves polygons along the normal direction of the clicked polygon.
To Axis: Moves polygons along the nearest world axis relative to the working plane.
Create new Polygroups without altering the geometry.
Alt/Option-modifier: Hold Alt/Option and select polygons to make Temporary Polygroup selections or remove them. Hold At/Option and double tap a temporary polygroup to clear all selected. Press and hold the target polygon(s) and tap Alt/Option to change the Polygroup.
Shift-modifier: Press and hold the target polygon(s) and tap Shift to Pick Existing, which copies the selected Polygroup color. (Does not work with some Mode options)
The Polygroup Modifiers control how you assign Polygroups, including assignment modes, coverage areas, and whether new Polygroups overwrite or add to existing ones.
Define how Polygroups are assigned.
One GroupID: Assigns all target polygons to a single new polygroup.
Three Sides: Creates Polygroups based on the three primary world axes.
Six Sides: Assign Polygroups to each of the six world directions.
Topological: Generates Polygroups based on topology flow from the initial selection.
Poly Order: Assigns Polygroups based on the polygon order.
Point Order: Assigns Polygroups based on the vertex order.
Relative Plus One: Creates a new polygroup with a slightly different hue from the existing one.
Relative Minus One: Generates a Polygroup with a hue slightly different in the opposite direction.
Checker: Creates alternating Polygroups in a checkerboard pattern.
Define how new Polygroups are assigned relative to existing ones.
Overwrite: Replace the current Polygroup with the newly assigned one.
Additive: Assign a different Polygroup with each new application.
Pick Existing: Copies and stores the Polygroup of the clicked polygon for reuse.
Controls how much of the target region is affected by the Polygroup assignment.
Full: Applies the Polygroup to the entire selected region.
Random: Applies the Polygroup to a random portion of the target area.
Extrudes target polygons with the added ability to fuse them with nearby polygons or push through mirrored topology to create bridged holes.
The QMesh Modifiers control extrusion behavior, including step alignment, geometry fusion, attraction strength, and snapping options, allowing precise control over how extruded polygons interact with existing geometry.
Defines the number of extrusion steps before reaching the maximum height.
Tenth Step: Divide the extrusion into ten equal steps.
Quarter Step: Divide the extrusion into four equal steps.
Third Step: Divide the extrusion into three equal steps.
Half Step: Divide the extrusion into two equal steps.
Full Step: Performs the complete extrusion in one step.
No Alignment: No stepped extrusion; continuous movement is applied.
Defines how QMesh interacts with existing geometry.
One Side Poly (default): Fuses extruded polygons to adjacent surfaces.
Multi Sides By Brush: Extrudes multiple polygons simultaneously with spacing based on brush size.
Step Size: Generates stepped extrusions with edge loops spaced according to Draw Size or a fixed value.
Determines how strongly new geometry fuses with adjacent polygons.
Normal: Applies standard fusing strength.
Weak: Reduces the strength of the fusion effect.
None: Turns all behaviors off, keeping extruded surfaces separate.
Controls whether QMesh allows fusing operations to create triangles.
On: Enables automatic triangle creation during fusion.
Off: Prevents triangle formation when snapping.
Determines how far beyond the extrusion step snapping occurs.
On: Allows snapping beyond the extrusion step, continuing based on the step size.
Off: Restricts snapping to the maximum height of surrounding polygons.
Scale the target polygons based on the selected center point, with modifiers adjusting the scaling center.
The Scale Modifiers control scaling operations by defining the anchor point, allowing scaling from the mesh center, polygon center, clicked point, or other specified origins.
Defines the anchor point for scaling operations.
Mesh Center: Uses the center of the entire mesh as the scaling anchor.
Axis Center: Uses the center of the nearest world axis as the anchor.
Local Symmetry: Maintains symmetrical scaling relative to local object space.
Polygon Center: Scales relative to the center of the selected polygon(s).
Click Center: Uses the clicked point as the scaling anchor.
Clicked Polygon Corner: Sets the scale pivot to the selected polygon's corner.
Aligns the camera to face the selected target polygon(s) directly, positioning the view perpendicular to the surface.
Defines whether the camera auto-aligns when using perpendicular view settings.
On: Automatically centers the camera when applying the action.
Off: The camera position remains unchanged after applying the action.
Clicking polygons highlights them as a white polygroup, allowing manual assignment of Polygon Actions.
For best results, turn off the Temporary Polygroup option when using this action.
Activate and center the Gizmo3D between two selected polygons.
Slices the topology between two targeted polygons, creating a partial edge between them.
Determines whether slicing automatically applies creases to the newly created edges.
On: Sliced edges have Creases to maintain sharpness.
Off: Sliced edges have no creases.
Deforms target polygons into a spherical shape. Press Shift while dragging the cursor to modify the Spherize shape.
Rotates polygons around a center point chosen in the Sub Mode modifiers.
The Spin Modifiers control polygon rotation with origin, alignment, and axis locking options.
Determines the point around which polygons rotate.
Mesh Center: Rotates polygons around the center of the entire mesh.
Axis Center: Uses the nearest world axis center as the rotation point.
Local Symmetry: Maintains symmetry while rotating.
Polygon Center: Rotates around the center of the selected polygon(s).
Clicked Center: Rotates around the exact point clicked.
Clicked Polygon Corner: Sets the rotation pivot to the selected polygon's corner.
Apply rotation constraints to the alignment of the Spin action.
None: No alignment constraint.
15 Degrees: Rotation increments snap to 15 degrees per step.
Custom: Uses a user-defined alignment setting.
Determines whether rotation is constrained to the closest world axis.
On: Lock the rotation to the nearest world axis.
Off: Allows free rotation.
Changes edge orientation. The Spin Edges action supports adjusting polygons clockwise or counterclockwise for NanoMesh, MicroMesh, and more.
Define the rotational direction of the Spin action.
Clockwise: Rotates the edge flow in a clockwise direction.
Counterclockwise: Rotates the edge flow in a counterclockwise direction.
Divides the selected target polygons into quads and rebuilds the surrounding topology by connecting edges to a center point.
Mask all but the selected target polygon and activate Gizmo3D, which snaps to the polygon's center and aligns with its surface normal.
Remove creased edges from the selected target polygon(s).
The Uncrease Modifiers control how creasing removal works based on edge length, target area, transition angle, and application targets, allowing precise adjustment of creasing throughout the model.
Define which edges to remove creases from.
All: Uncreases all edges.
Long: Uncreases only longer edges.
Short: Uncreases only shorter edges.
Determines where crease removal operations apply.
All Faces: Applies to all faces in the selection.
Polygroup Border: Uncreases edges along polygroup borders.
Polygroup Inner: Uncreases edges inside a polygroup.
Controls how transitions between creased and uncreased edges behave.
All: Uncreases all transition areas.
Shallow: Uncreases only gentle transitions.
Sharp: Uncreases only sharp transitions.
Controls where creases are applied within the selected target area, affecting all edges, boundaries, or excluding boundaries.
All: Applies creases to all edges in the model.
Outer: Creases only the outer edges.
Inner: Creases only the inner edges.
Determines whether creases apply to all edges in the target area or only to the boundaries of an opening.
All: Creases all edges in the model.
Outer: Creases only the outer edges.
Disconnects topology while keeping the shape intact. This action does not split the model into separate Subtools.
ZModeler Modifiers provide global settings that refine how ZModeler Actions interact with geometry. These settings adjust surface detection accuracy and influence how targets respond to modifications, offering greater control over specific modeling operations.
Control how ZModeler detects and targets flat surfaces. Adjusting this setting changes the allowable angle difference between the selected area and affected surfaces. A higher tolerance includes slightly uneven areas, while a lower tolerance restricts actions to nearly flat surfaces.
Planar Tolerance applies to specific ZModeler Actions and Targets that affect multiple polygons.
Default (15 degrees): Target surfaces within a 15-degree angle difference from the selected area.
Custom Tolerance: Adjusts the maximum angle difference for targeting surfaces. Higher values allow actions to affect less-flat areas, while lower values restrict targeting to near-flat surfaces.
Repeat the last applied polygon action when you single-click or tap the target polygon(s).
On: Enables Repeat Last, allowing a single click to apply the previous action based on the tolerance setting.
Repeat Last Tolerance: Defines the movement threshold required for an action to qualify as Repeat Last.
Off: Disables Repeat Last, preventing automatic repetition of the last action.