ZBrush Tip: SubTool Split: Rapid Mesh Isolation

Isolate parts of a mesh quickly and cleanly with SubTool > Split to gain control, speed, and clarity during sculpting, retopology, UVs, and rendering.

When to use it

• Performance: Work on lighter, focused subtools instead of a heavy all-in-one asset.
• Precision: Apply masking, polishing, and creasing to just the part that matters.
• Pipelines: Export or bake maps per-part, or send components out via GoZ without extra cleanup.
• Organization: Keep complex models navigable with named, grouped subtools.

Core Split methods

• Split Masked Points
  • Mask the region you want to isolate.
  • Go to Tool > SubTool > Split > Split Masked Points.
  • Result: Masked polygons become a new SubTool; the remainder stays in the original.
  • Tip: Invert your mask (Ctrl/Cmd+click on canvas) to quickly split the opposite portion.
• Split Unmasked Points
  • Useful when you’ve masked a small area and want the larger unmasked area split away.
  • Same path: Tool > SubTool > Split > Split Unmasked Points.
• Split Hidden
  • Hide what you don’t want with SelectRect/SelectLasso (Ctrl/Cmd+Shift).
  • Tool > SubTool > Split > Split Hidden moves the hidden polygons into a new SubTool.
  • Great for extracting kitbash parts, scan chunks, or boolean remnants.
• Group Split
  • Create Polygroups first (e.g., Polygroup > Auto Groups or Group by Normals).
  • Run Tool > SubTool > Split > Group Split to generate one SubTool per Polygroup.
  • Ideal for CAD imports, panelized hard-surface, or multi-part scans.

Best-practice workflow

• Prep with Polygroups: Ctrl/Cmd+W makes a Polygroup from the current mask/visibility, then Group Split.
• Maintain detail: Splitting preserves existing Polypaint and UVs on the resulting parts.
• Keep borders clean: After splits, use Geometry > Modify Topology > Close Holes if needed; polish edges with HPolish or Polish by Features.
• Name and sort: Immediately rename and place parts into SubTool folders to avoid confusion later.
• Pose multiple parts: Use Transpose Master to pose all split components in context, then transfer changes back.
• Return to unified sculpting: If you need to sculpt across seams again, temporarily Merge Down (or use Dynamesh on a duplicate), then re-split.
• Hotkeys: Assign custom hotkeys (Ctrl/Cmd+Alt+click on a Split button) for rapid iteration.

Troubleshooting

• Buttons greyed out? Go to the lowest subdivision level or consider Geometry > Freeze Subdivision Levels before splitting.
• Unexpected slivers: Clean up stray islands with Polygroups > Auto Groups, then Group Split and delete throwaway parts.
• Seam artifacts: Mask Border, relax with Smooth Groups, or add supporting creases before further subdivision.

Try it now: Isolate belts, armor plates, horns, and fasteners in under a minute to speed polish, UVs, and baking passes. For licenses, upgrades, and pro bundles, check out NOVEDGE. For broader pipeline tools and plugins that complement ZBrush, browse NOVEDGE, and follow @NOVEDGE for offers and workflow tips.

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