Saving a UV in zBrush (related to GoZ)

jaxprog

If I create a UV on a Genesis 8 Female model in zBrush (like UV master), how do I save that UV as its own file and reload back onto the same model for later use at a different time?

Now I know what some of you are going to say. For example, the UV becomes a part of the model and therefore there is no need for a separate file. You load the model up and the UV is right there with it.

However, here’s my problem why I need a separate UV file.

If GoZ a G8F model from Daz Studio its UV follows through with it. (I know this to be true because zBrush will let me delete the UV from its menu item.) I apply a mask on the G8F model. I want to reuse this mask in the future and I create an alpha.

I examine the alpha and see that the original daz G8F model’s UV created seams in the mask alpha. If I clear the mask on the model in zBrush, I reapply the mask using this perverted alpha then the seams show up in the mask applied to the G8F model. The mask now differs from the original created mask. Totally not what I want!

Workaround. Go to UV Master and paint protect and attract areas on model. Unwrap the model. This means I have a new UV. I create a new mask and create an alpha on it. The alpha preserves the mask as originally designed per the new UV. I have exactly what I want, but I can’t reuse it again for later use. It’s a one trick pony.

You see I use GoZ to bring the model back and forth from Daz Studio to zBrush. If I were to load a saved G8F model with the new UV it won’t go back to Daz Studio because Daz Studio didn’t send it and Daz Studio won’t receive back what it didn’t send originally. (Digression: There is an exception, that is if the newly created mesh in zBrush was built on sent the G8F model and is a new zBrush subtool, GoZ will allow it to transfer back as if it were the G8F model.)

Therefore, I need a separate UV file to apply on the G8F model each time Daz Studio sends the model to zBrush so that new model being created from the mask in zBrush will fit G8F model’s pose or deformation. In other words, a G8F model has pose in Daz Studio which is equal to say deformation in zBrush. It comes over to zBrush via GoZ. The new model mesh I create in zBrush from the mask matches the pose and GoZ sends it back to Daz Studio as a perfect match.

I can’t do that perfect match with a saved model. I need a saved UV file, which I can reuse, and apply it the model each time it comes from Daz Studio from GoZ.

Another anticipated response I see being given to me is I can save the protect and attract painting schema on the model in UV Master. I can save and reload it for reuse. I agree with you, but each time you click the Unwrap you get a new UV which differs from the previous one. Different UVs means an alteration on the alpha mask once the mask is applied to the model. The shape of the mask may be consistent on the alpha, but once it’s applies to a different UV which the mask was not created from, then problems will arise. Therefore, I need one consistent UV file I can save once and reuse over and over again.

So, lets review the original question:

If I create a UV on a Genesis 8 Female model in zBrush (like UV master), how do I save that UV as its own file and reload back onto the same model for later use at a different time?

I appreciate your time and patience.

Richard Haseltine

From memory:

1. Export as OBJ from ZBrush after remapping, at base resolution.
2. In Daz Studio go to the Surfaces pane option menu (the oined button in the top corner, or right-click the tab)>Load new UV Set, then select your OBJ.
3. If all is well >File>Save As>Support Asset>UV Asset.