■ Using the Topology Tools 239
It is possible to use the Topology tools over multiple subtools. Simply import a ZSphere
as a subtool and click Tool → Topology → Edit Topology while the ZSphere is selected.
You can then draw topology over multiple subtools. In this method you cannot use auto-
matic projection—you will need to merge the subtools at a later time and use the Project
All feature to capture the details of the combined subtools.
- Under the main Tool menu, click the Topology
menu to unroll it (Figure 7.27). Click the Edit
Topology button. The ZSphere will now disap-
pear and the head will be visible. There is a small
red circle in the center of the head (Figure 7.28);
this is the root ZSphere (Figure 7.29).
When drawing topology, make sure the root
ZSphere is not selected. After each face is drawn,
double-click on the background to make sure the
root sphere is not selected. Failing to do this can
create floating faces and other random geometry
that connects to the center of the model.
- Change to the Fast Shader and raise the Ambient
modifier under Material to get rid of shadows
to make it easier to see the edges as you draw
them. Turn on X Symmetry and start to trace
the topology drawn on the model. Draw a four-
sided face and double-click off the model surface
(Figure 7.30).
- Continue drawing from one of the previously
placed points. These points are actually ZSpheres.
While drawing topology, click the A button to
preview the mesh you are creating. Click A often
so you can catch mistakes early (Figure 7.31). The
A button is the same Adaptive Skin Preview used
in ZSphere modeling. You can adjust the resolu-
tion of the preview mesh under Tool → Adaptive
Skin → Density (Figure 7.32). This will be an
important setting when you are ready to project
the detail from the original ZTool.
- Continue to trace the polypaint plan layout, and
check the Adaptive Skin Preview often. The best
method I have found is to draw single quads, grad-
ually building up the surface. If you try to connect
too many faces at once, you will sometimes link
to the wrong ZSphere, causing problems when
generating a polymesh later (Figure 7.33). You can
use Move mode (the W key) to move points on the
surface to even them out.
Figure 7.27 The
Topology menu
Figure 7.28 When edit topology is active, the root ZSphere
disappears and the ZTool is ready to accept new topology.
Figure 7.29 The root ZSphere appears as a red circle; make
sure you deselect it or your topology could have problems.
