How Do I Clear the Mask Button in ZBrush?

The most efficient way to clear the mask in ZBrush is to Ctrl+Drag on an empty area of the canvas.

Here's a breakdown of how to clear a mask in ZBrush, along with alternative methods:

Methods for Clearing Masks in ZBrush

There are multiple ways to clear a mask in ZBrush, providing flexibility depending on your workflow. The Ctrl+Drag method is generally the fastest.

1. Ctrl+Drag (Easiest Method):

   • Hold down the Ctrl key (Cmd on Mac).
   • Click and drag on an empty area of the ZBrush canvas. This immediately clears the entire mask.

2. Using the Masking Menu:

   • Go to the Tool palette.
   • Navigate to the Masking sub-palette.
   • Click the Clear button.

3. Using Hotkeys (Advanced):

   • You can assign a custom hotkey to the "Clear" function in the Masking sub-palette for faster access. To do this:
     • Hover your mouse over the "Clear" button in the Masking sub-palette.
     • Press Ctrl+Alt (Cmd+Opt on Mac) and click the button. This will bring up the hotkey assignment window.
     • Press your desired hotkey combination.
     • Click "Accept".
     • Important: Save your hotkeys by going to Preferences > Hotkeys > Save.

Troubleshooting Masking Issues

• Inverted Mask: If you accidentally inverted the mask (Ctrl+Click on the mesh), the "Clear" function will still clear the inverted mask, effectively masking the entire model. Use Ctrl+Click again to revert the mask, then clear as usual.
• Visibility Issues: Ensure all parts of the model you want to unmask are visible. Hidden parts will retain their mask.

Clearing masks is a fundamental operation in ZBrush, essential for sculpting and detailing your models. The Ctrl+Drag method is the quickest, but knowing the alternative methods provides more control and customization options.