This section covers basic information for posing with Transpose Master. Transpose Master merges a Tool's subtools into a cloned model, offering a simplistic model to pose multiple objects synchronously at once.
ZBrush on iPad's Transpose Master works the same as in ZBrush desktop. Learn more in our external ZBrush Transpose Master documentation.
Follow the steps below to pose a Tool with multiple subtools.
The example below demonstrates using the DemoSoldier model found at Home Screen > New Sculpt > 3D Meshes section.
The Transpose Master menu is accessible in two locations:
1. Right canvas toolbar > Subtools > Transpose Master menu
2. Palettes > Tool > Subtool > Transpose Master menu
This example demonstrates steps 1 through 5 described below. The objective is to set up and create a TPoseMesh cloned model for posing.
1. Load a project with multiple subtools for posing (DemoSoldier).
2. Make your desired subtools' model visibility active.
Step 2 illustrates how all subtools' model visibility setting are active. Subtools with model visibility disabled are left out of the cloned mesh created in the next steps.
3. Open Subtools > Transpose Master menu.
4. Tap to enable the Grps option.
5. Tap TPoseMesh. ZBrush populates a new Tool with all subtools merged.
The Transpose Master Grps option keeps all subtools' polygroups in the merged TPose model.
Move to the next section to apply posing changes and send changes back to the source subtools.
Picking up from the previous section, the below example demonstrates steps 1 through 25 to pose the TPose model and transfer the pose to subtools (TPose|SubT).
Apply steps from the previous section to follow along below.
1. Select the MaskLasso brush > hold Ctrl/Cmd > drag over the top of the character's leg to mask it.
2. Hold Ctrl/Cmd > tap on the available empty canvas to invert the mask.
3. In the default toolbar (bottom of the screen), tap Gizmo3D > hold Alt/Option to unlock Gizmo3D from the subtool > drag the Gizmo3D move cones to the desired center point for rotating the leg.
Step 3 demonstrates that Gizmo3D position can be moved without affecting the model when holding Alt/Option.
4. Drag the Gizmo3D rotation wheels to rotate the unmasked leg surface.
Step 4 demonstrates that the masking steps applied in steps 1 through 3 produce a rigid pose of the leg surface, which is intended to flex and bend.
Solutions to resolve this are covered in the next steps.
5. Undo the Gizmo3D rotation > tap Polyframe to view available polygroups.
6. Apply the following actions to create a new soft mask for posing the leg:
Hold Ctrl/Cmd > drag within the empty canvas space around the model > release pressure from screen to clear the mask.
Hold Ctrl/Cmd + Shift > tap the leg to select its associated polygroup.
The Ctrl/Cmd + Shift shortcut activates the Selection, Trim, Knife, Crease, and Clip brushes. It also selects polygroups assigned to the surface.
7. Hold Ctrl/Cmd > drag over top the leg to draw a mask > release pressure from screen to apply the mask.
8. Hold Ctrl/Cmd + Shift > tap within the empty canvas space around the model to return to full model visibility.
9. Hold Ctrl/Cmd + Shift > tap the knee pad connected to the leg to select its polygroup.
10. Hold Ctrl/Cmd + Shift > drag on the canvas over top the knee pad > release pressure from the screen to apply a mask.
11. Hold Ctrl/Cmd + Shift > tap on the empty canvas to show all parts.
12. Hold Ctrl/Cmd + Shift > tap the boot to select its polygroup.
Step 12 shows how the boot has multiple polygroups, and how these applied steps do not result in selecting the entire boot.
13. Open Palettes > Tool > Visibility > tap Grow All to show all connected vertices for the selected mesh.
14. Open Palettes > Tool > Polygroups > tap AutoGroups to assign unique polygroups to each visible mesh shell.
Step 10 demonstrates that AutoGroups can be used to create singular polygroups for all visible mesh shells that are disconnected surfaces. When using Transpose Master to merge subtools, AutoGroup can be used to assign a unique polygroup for each model part. Additionally, you might use AutoGroup when model parts are isolated within selections.
15. Hold Ctrl/Cmd + Shift > tap the right boot to hide it from the selection.
Step 15 demonstrates hiding and showing polygroups to isolate a surface for masking by utilizing selection methods.
16. Hold Ctrl/Cmd > drag over top the boot to draw a mask shape > release pressure from the screen to apply the mask.
17. Hold Ctrl/Cmd + Shift > tap within the empty canvas space around the model to show all parts for all surfaces.
18. Hold Ctrl/Cmd > tap on empty canvas space to invert the mask.
19. Hold Ctrl/Cmd > tap the model to apply a single mask Blur action.
When a model's base surface has a very low active point count, blurred masks have a stronger effect due to a low vertex count being unable to hold the mask edge shape. To improve mask Blur and Sharpen quality, increase the active points count with DynaMesh, Subdivide, or SculptrisPro.
20. Long press Gizmo3D in the default toolbar > tap Transpose Line to activate.
Transpose Line is a similar tool to Gizmo3D in its ability to move, scale, and rotate a model. When activated, Transpose Line orients to Gizmo3D x/y/z-axis coordinates.
This example demonstrates aligning Gizmo3D arrows along the direction of the object, making it easier to pose..
21. Tap the green y-axis line drawn at the start of the Transpose Line circle.
22. Drag the edge of the starting Transpose Line circle to move it around in screen space without affecting the model. Position it at the character's ankle to orient the Transpose Line along the leg's path.
23. Long press MSR > tap the Rotate option.
MSR refers to the Move, Scale, and Rotate options offered for Transpose Line. The MSR icon replaces the Gizmo3D icon when Transpose Line is active.
24. Drag in the middle of the end Transpose Line circle to rotate the selection around the drawn Transpose Line path.
Rotation occurs at the Transpose Line's pivot point. The pivot position is indicated on the transpose line by the x/y/z-axis lines attached to the visible Transpose Line circle. The pivot can be assigned to the first or third Tranpose Line circles.
Tap the edges of the first or third Transpose Line circles to swap the pivot between both ends.
25. In Transpose Master > tap TPose|SubT (transfer pose to subtools) to send the pose changes back to the source subtools.
26. Repeat the process by creating new TPoseMesh clones and sending changes back to subtools with TPose|SubT.
ZBrush for iPad's Transpose Line and Transpose Master work the same as in ZBrush desktop. Learn more in our external ZBrush documentation sections:
Modeling Basics > Transpose
Transpose Master
Learn more about all essential tools used during this process in these guide sections:
Selection Brush Essentials
Masking Essentials
Gizmo3D Essentials