ZBrush How to Delete Part?

Understanding Deletion in ZBrush

ZBrush is a powerful sculpting tool that offers a myriad of options for modifying your models. When working on complex designs, there often arises a need to delete certain parts of your sculpt. The following sections will guide you through the various methods of deleting different components in ZBrush, ensuring that you can manage your models with precision.

Deleting Masked Areas

To delete a masked area in ZBrush, start with the area you want to keep highlighted through masking. Follow these steps:

1. Mask the Area: Use the masking brushes to define the part of the model you want to keep.
2. Hide Unmasked Areas: Open the Tool Palette and navigate to the Masking section. Look for the Visibility options and select "HidePt". This command hides the unmasked regions, allowing for a clearer view of what you’re working with.
3. Delete Hidden Parts: Now go to the Geometry section of the Tool Palette. Click on "Modify Topology" and choose "Del Hidden" from the dropdown menu. This action permanently removes the hidden parts of your sculpt.

Slicing and Deleting Portions

If you wish to slice through a model and remove sections, follow these steps:

1. Select the Slice Rectangle Tool: This tool enables you to create a slice through your model at your desired angle and location.
2. Position the Slice: Click and drag on your canvas to define the rectangle for your slice line.
3. Confirm the Slice: After creating the slice, go to the Subtool palette, where you can choose to either delete the area on one side of the slice or both. This results in a clean separation of your model.

Removal of Polygons

Deleting specific polygons allows for more precise modifications. Here’s how to do it:

1. Prevail the Region: Use CTRL + SHIFT to isolate an area of the model. Click on an empty space to reveal the previously hidden polygons.
2. Hide and Delete: Hold down CTRL + SHIFT while dragging over the polygons you want to disappear. Access the Tool menu, navigate to Geometry, and use "Delete Hidden" to finalize the removal.

Deleting SubTools

To delete a SubTool selectively:

1. Select the Desired SubTool: From the SubTool list, click on the specific SubTool you wish to remove.
2. Execute the Delete Command: Simply press the Delete button to remove that SubTool. This action will not impact any of your other SubTools, allowing for flexible editing.

Removing Hidden Meshes

Hidden meshes can clutter your workspace. To delete them:

1. Hide Unwanted Areas: Use masking methods to conceal the parts of the model you don’t need visible.
2. Clear the Hidden Sections: Proceed with the same "Del Hidden" command under Modify Topology to remove the unnecessary hidden polygons.

Deleting Polygroups and Painting

You may want to delete Polygroups or polypainting. Here’s how:

1. Clear Polygroups: To remove a polygroup, first isolate it using CTRL + SHIFT. Then, right-click on the selected area and choose to clear that polygroup.

2. Remove Polypaint: Navigate to the Color menu and select “Fill Object” with a neutral color or click “Clear” to remove any polypaint layer, returning the model to its original material appearance.

Clearing Vertex Data

For cleanup of vertex data:

1. Identify the Vertices: You might want to use select tools to highlight the vertices you wish to eliminate.
2. Delete Vertices: Use the delete function to remove them permanently. Make sure to inspect the geometry afterward and adjust as necessary.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are SubTools in ZBrush?
SubTools are individually manageable components within a single ZBrush tool. They can be independently sculpted and modified without affecting other parts of the model.

How do I undo my deletion in ZBrush?
ZBrush provides an undo feature that can be accessed via the Edit menu. By pressing CTRL + Z, you can step back through your changes, including deletions.

Can I bring back deleted areas in ZBrush?
Once you delete parts of your model in ZBrush, they cannot be recovered unless you have a backup save or use the undo feature immediately following the deletion. It’s advisable to frequently save different versions of your work to prevent loss.