Sculpting >
Troubleshoot sculpting

The following table lists common problems related to sculpting and possible solutions:

Problem/Error Message | Possible Solution
--- | ---
Sculpted strokes appear shaky and unsmooth in appearance. | It can be difficult to sculpt smooth strokes without introducing shakiness from your hand. Turn on the Steady Stroke option to produce a smoother stroke. For more information, see Producing smooth tool strokes.
The following error appears when subdividing a model: Two or more faces share more than one edge. This model cannot be subdivided until this is corrected. | This indicates that two or more faces share more than one edge. This topology can occur when modeling in a 3D modeling application. For example, one or more interior edges may have been deleted so that the model has some n-sided faces resulting in some faces sharing more than one edge. The polygons must corrected in a polygon modeling application, and the model re-imported to Mudbox before it can be subdivided.
The Mesh > Add New Subdivision Level > Smooth UVs option does work when subdividing a model imported from another 3D application. The UVs are not smoothed. | Many 3D applications produce UVs where each face is individual and separate. In these situations, the UVs must be merged prior to export from the application before it is subsequently imported to Mudbox. Otherwise, the UVs cannot be smoothed when the mesh is subdivided.
The cursor outline indicating the radius for the sculpt or paint tool disappears in the 3D View. | The outline for the sculpt/paint tool cursor only appears when the tool is over the model in the 3D View. Position the cursor over the model to view it. The Radius property is set too large and the outline appears outside of the current 3D View. This can occur when setting the Radius using the B hotkey if the tool cursor is off the model. For more information, see Sculpt Tool properties.
Sculpt on a model and the stroke doesn’t appear. | The resolution of the model is too coarse in comparison to the size of the current sculpt tool. Add more subdivision levels to increase the model’s resolution or increase the radius of the tool. The Strength property is set too low for the sculpt tool. Increase the Strength and stroke again. If you’re sculpting using layers, ensure that the Opacity setting for the current sculpt layer is not set too low or to zero. For more information, see Sculpt Tool properties.
Two sculpt tool cursors appear on the surface of the model when sculpting. | The Mirror property for the tool is turned on. If you don’t want to sculpt in a symmetrical manner, turn off this property. For more information, see Sculpt Tool properties.
Sculpting causes large spike effects to appear on the model. | The Strength property is set too high in relation to the current sculpt tool radius. Undo your stroke (Ctrl + Z), reduce the Strength property for the sculpt tool and try again. For more information, see Sculpt Tool properties.
Symmetry property has no effect when sculpting. | An incorrect mirror axis is specified. Check the mirror axis property and reset as required. If the model was moved off the XYZ origin, some mirror axis properties will not work. Use the Local or Tangent mirror properties in these situations. For more information, see Sculpt using tool symmetry.
The following error message appears on the Status Line when attempting to set a topological axis on the model using Mesh > Set Topological Axis feature: Symmetry not found. | The message indicates that the tool cannot determine topological symmetry based on the current face selection. Try selecting the faces and setting the axis again, ensuring you select the faces at the lowest subdivision level on the model. If Mudbox continues to indicate a lack of symmetry, the model is likely not topologically symmetrical. For more information, see Sculpt using symmetry.
A semi-transparent 2D image appears in front of the model in the 3D View. | You may have a stencil image selected for the camera view. In the Stencil tray, click the Off button.
Cannot undo sculpting performed on another subdivision level after switching levels. | The Undo history is not saved when switching between subdivision levels. You can only undo sculpting made to the current subdivision level.
Sculpting performance decreases at higher subdivision levels. | Sculpting at higher subdivision levels (when many vertices are modified by a particular sized brush) requires more RAM than on a lower subdivision level (using the same sized brush) because fewer vertices are affected. In general, make changes that affect larger regions of a surface at a lower subdivision level. Fewer vertices have to be moved as a result and sculpt performance is improved.