Fixing merged subtools meshes for printing

Merged subtools don't flatten into a single new mesh so the merged subtools layer needs this:

Unify skin (at the highest possible resolution).
Append new skin to subtools.
Divide if necessary.
Project.

Now I have a printable mesh.

Prepping for ZSphere sketch from profile reference

Prepare a jpg profile view preferably with skeleton ready in square aspect ratio.

In lightbox (,) go to tool, image plane, poly plane (double clicks)
Deformation > rotate > 90 degrees Y axis
Divide, divide, divide (or the image will look crap)
Standard brush, drag rectangle stroke, load alpha image of profile view.
Zplugin > projection master > tweak settings and 'drop' (need to activate reverse side and polypaint).
Drag rectangle to place image (drag from center out to bottom right).
Zplugin > projection master > 'pick up'

Append ZSphere.
Transform > activate X symmetry.

Make ZSphere model.
Make low poly adaptive skin.
Transform > activate X symmetry and tease out shape.

Orienting, prepping and exporting models for 3D printing

Sid Naique's article on orienting, prepping and exporting models for 3D printing HERE

Quick reminders for me pulled from Sid's article (you'll probably do better reading the whole thing on Sid's blog)

your model should be standing up in ‘positive’ Z-Axis and facing towards ‘negative’ Y-Axis. 

most of the 3D Applications have Y-Axis pointing upwards (and so does ZBrush). But 3D Printing requires Z-Axis to be up and not Y-Axis

change the grid to have Z-Axis pointing upwards. To do this, go to a button called ‘Floor’ on the right and simply change its Axis from ‘y’ to ‘z’.

make the grid horizontal by rotating the camera, as it should be, your model should look like its resting on the grid, horizontally, with the blue line(Z-Axis) pointing upwards.

tools-deformation rotate x axis minus 90 degrees

If your model is still not facing in negative Y direction, then rotate it in Z-Axis till you get the right orientation


This will allow the websites to render an appropriate preview image/thumbnail of your model as soon as you upload it. 

Decimation Master

reduce the polys on the inside of your hollow model.