In this section we will cover the different Actions that can be applied to the points of a model. To access the point menu when using the ZModeler brush, hover over a point and right-click the mouse or press space bar.
Some Actions operate in a specific direction. In this case, pay attention to the Edge Indicator so that you can control how the Action will be applied.
For descriptions of the Targets see the Point Targets page.
Bridge
The Bridge Action connects two selected points and establishes an edge between them. To perform this operation, the two points must share the same polygon. Since ZBrush is based on triangles and quads the Point Bridge function cannot be used to create an edge or set of edges which connect two distant points.
The different Targets associated with the Bridge Action define how this point Action will be applied to the model. The Ring Target connects the clicked point to all the points of the shared polygons it is attached to, while the Two Points Target connects two points by clicking them in succession.
Modifiers (only with Ring Target)
- Crease Ring, Do Not Crease: Opt to apply creasing to the edges created by the Bridge Action.
- Regroup Ring, Do Not Regroup: Opt to change the created edges to a new PolyGroup.
Crease
The Crease Action applies edge creasing to the edges connected to the clicked point
Alternative Operations
- Alt+click: Uncrease an already creased edge and vice versa.
Delete
The Delete Action removes the clicked point, creating a hole in the model. By default, ZBrush creates triangles around the deleted point, deleting half of them.
Do Nothing
The Do Nothing Action is an empty Action. When this is active it will prevent the possibility of accidentally performing a Point Action while using the ZModeler Brush. If you know that you only want to use Poly or Edge Actions, having this active and hovering over a point will instead result in a Poly Action.
Extrude
The Extrude Action creates an extrusion from the targeted point by clicking and dragging. This Action will create a pyramidal shape perpendicular to the extruded point.
The position of the cursor around the point defines which of the connected edges will be transformed during the extrude Action. To see this, move your cursor slightly around the point; you should notice the highlighted connected polys change to show the direction of the extrusion.
The extruded polygons will receive two PolyGroups: One for the extruded face and another for the polygons connected to the extrusion. Performing additional extrusions will keep the same PolyGroups until another type of Action is performed.
Alternative Operations
- Ctrl: Stop the extrusion process and switch to a Move Action.
- Shift: Move the point along its normal.
- Alt: Change the PolyGroup of the extruded part.
Make Curve
The Make Curve Action creates a curve point-by-point, corresponding to the points clicked on the 3D mesh. This created curve can be used by other Brushes, such as the Curve Tube brush or ZRemesher Guides brush. It can also be used by ZModeler’s Curve Actions.
Mask
The Mask Action applies a mask to the clicked point (or corresponding auto-masking), preventing that point from being manipulated until the mask has been cleared.
Clicking on multiple points is possible and will let you protect multiple points as needed.
Move
The Move Action lets you freely move the selected point relative to the screen’s working plane.
Alternative Operations
- Shift: Constrains the Move Action along the closest X, Y or Z working plane. It is important to move your camera to an aligned angle before using the Shift modifier with a Move Action.
QMesh
The QMesh Action creates an extrusion of targeted point by clicking and dragging. This Action will produce a pyramidal shape perpendicular to the extruded point.
The position of the cursor around the point will define which of the connected edges are to be transformed during the QMesh Action. To see this, move your cursor slightly around the point; you should notice the highlighted connected polys change to show the direction of the QMesh extrusion.
By default, the QMesh operation is exactly the same as the Extrude Point Action, except that:
- The created mesh will attempt to fuse with the adjacent polygons, including merging with any polygons that are crossed during the operation.
- The created mesh can be completely deleted when performing an extrusion that crosses an existing polygon that is connected to the extruded polygons.
Draw Size impacts the detection of the fusing operation: A small Draw Size generates a stronger fusion attraction while a larger Draw Size generates a lower fusion attraction.
Options
- Full, Half, Quarter Step: Define the number of steps that the QMesh extrusion will have between the clicked points and the maximum height, when it’s connected to an adjacent polygon. These modifiers have no effect when the extruded point is not able to fuse with adjacent polygons.
Alternative Operations
- Ctrl: Stop the extrusion process and switch to a Move Action.
- Alt: Change the PolyGroup of the extruded part.
Slide
The Slide Action shifts the clicked point along the path of its connected edges.
Split
The Split Action creates a circle shape with its center on the clicked point position. This Action is very handy when creating tube-like shapes starting from existing geometry.
Point Target Modifiers
- Keep Quad Center, Triangulate Center: This modifier toggles whether to allow the generation of triangles when creating the split shape.
- Crease Ring, Do Not Crease: Toggles whether to apply creasing to the created edges.
- Regroup Ring, Do Not Regroup: Toggles whether to generate a new PolyGroup for the created polygons.
Ring Target Modifiers
- Crease Ring, Do Not Crease: Toggles whether to crease the created edges.
- Regroup Ring, Do Not Regroup: Toggles whether to generate a new PolyGroup for the created polygons.
- Equalize Radius, Do Not Equalize: Toggles whether to modify the created points so that they fit a circle.
Stitch
The Stitch Action allows you to weld adjacent points on your model together. You must first click one point, then the one to be welded to it.
Point Target Modifier
- To End Point, To Mid Point, To Start point: Define in which direction the points will be welded together: at the second point’s position, at a location exactly between both points, or at first point’s position.
TransPose
The TransPose Action automatically masks all points except the clicked one and switches to TransPose mode. You are then able to perform all the usual TransPose operations on the clicked point.
Please keep in mind that while using TransPose, you are no longer in Edit >> Draw mode. This means that the ZModeler brush will be deselected. To continue using ZModeler, return to Draw mode.