Automatic Retopology: Is It Any Good?

How good is auto retopology? This video will look at many of the auto-retopology tools out there. I cover Maya, Blender, ZBrush, and open source solutions.

Software used in Tutorial:

Maya 2023
Blender 3.1.2
Zbrush 2022.05

#3D #3dmodeling #3dart

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Table of Contents

0:00 Introduction
0:38 Create a model for the Auto Retopo test
4:40 Maya 2023 - Auto Retopologize workflow
8:28 Maya 2023 - Auto Retopologize boolean test
11:36 Maya 2023 - Auto Retopologize sculpt and scan test
14:55 Blender 3.1 - Remesh test
15:38 Open Source - Auto Retopologize test
17:53 ZBrush 2022 - ZRemesher tests
21:49 Final thoughts on Auto Retopology

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[OnMarsD]

I could only cover a few 3D software in this video so let me know your experience with auto retopology. How well does it work in other 3D tools like Maya, Blender, 3ds Max, Zbrush, 3D Coat, etc

[Bcoz]

For Zbrush create polygroups around any hard edges (can do group by normals as well). After that "crease polygroups" so you can lock in those edges. Finally ZRemesher with "keep creases" on. Retopo will create almost perfect low polygon edge retention.

[haixuchen]

I think Maya's usage might still be very limited on models that require good topology - especially those that need to be rigged or in a production environment to be accessed by teams, etc. Honestly, such 'auto-retopology' is probably where some form of AI might be needed. Else is back to the human brain...

[sqwert]

Have been playing with 3ds Max auto retopo for a couple of months to retopo Fusion360 meshes mostly revolver frames. It works very well sometimes. Smoothing groups helps a lot, hard edges helps with edge flow. Slice if the mesh has symmetry. Weld verts at 0.0 before you start. Use ProOtimiZer and or quadrify then the retopo tool. For Zbrush first polygroup by angle, then crease polygroups before using ZRemesher.

[The_Unknown_]

Blender does have an automatic retopology tool, but it's kind of buried for some reason. If you click on your object and go to the object data properties tab (the little green triangle), there should be a remesh option. Click that and set the mode to quad, and then it'll try to remesh with ''proper'' quad topology. The few times I've used it I didn't get great results, so I'll stick to Zbrush, but it is there for anyone wondering.

[johancc]

Thanks a lot for this. Your videos are the best 🙂.

[sqwert]

I spent a lot of time playing with the auto retopo in 3ds Max with pistols. It works better if you have symmetry, to slice the mesh first. With Zbrush you want to set polygroups by angle, then you can crease the polygroups, that helps keep the edges. The same with Max set your hard edges and smoothing groups before you retopo. I suspect in Maya you need to set hard and soft edges, yet to try though. It helps a lot with edge flow

[artbybruno]

If you turn ON symmetry in Zbrush and then press Zremesher, it gives you a symmetrical mesh. It's pretty great.

[OccultDemonCassette]

How does this compare to Quadremesher?

[thekiteh]

The biggest reason we pursue a uniform mesh is quad-overdraw. Since meshlet, the burden of quad-overdraw has been eliminated, so is there a need to do something like that?

[AnTruong-ujjt]

Great contect as always, keep it up sir!

[BestMods]

Zbrush is pretty good but has issues with circle sections. If you take a sphere and retopo it, its worst than the original. And some retopos create an infinite edgeloop when making things like gloves or socks. The edge loop spirals around the part.

[feizai]

9:13 That is why in cases like this, I always cut my model in half for retopo then mirror.

[lematt]

nice video, if you want symetry in maya with retopo, simply hard edge the center line.

[oscarclermont]

have you tried Exoside Quad Remesher ? Because it does eeexxxccelent work !!! And it can handle x, y or z symmetry.

[corr]

Blender has a great solution, Exoside Quadremesher, very great!

[angelodelavara]

I dont know if you know by now but i have seen in your videos that you always put 90 or 180 degree’s whenever you want a rotation perfect

While you are rotating just press J and rotate and its going to spin 15 degress so its a bit faster than putting the numbers in the channell box

Hope it helps btw you are and excellent teacher keep it up with your excellent content

[fahadal-asmari]

Honestly It depends on the type of your models in most cases it works but sometimes you need to do some work manually but It does save you a lot of time sometimes.

[hamuArt]

I understand why everyone is crying for a meaningful AI retopo tool. These retopo tools solve the problem of generating quad topo, but they are far from an optimal geometry. Especially if we are talking about real-time geo. More and more I see retopo where they clearly used ZRemesh or Intsant Mesh and there are a lot of unnecessary vertices on the models. And then they wonder why the highend machines only run at 30 fps...
Not to mention that a much higher poly count also means more tedious UV-ing.

[sweetestgravy]

Great video! Just letting you know though, blender does have retopology. You have to go to the sculpting tab, and it's under the remesh option in the top right. However, it's more geared towards sculpting, so I find that it's not as smart as the one in Maya or Zbrush.