Character creation - Max and Z-brush

[keepitloki]

I'm currently modeling a character using 3DS Max and Z-brush for animation purposes.
I have modeled a mouth (teeth, tongue etc.) and eyes as separate objects to the main body mesh.
The thing I'm wondering about is whether I need to connect the mouth and eyes to the rest of the mesh before getting back into z-brush.
Its more the mouth that I'm concerned about: Is it necessary to attach the mouth to the main mesh at all? If so I would presumably have to do it now before I alter the topology of the main mesh in z-brush, but if I do do I risk messing up the topology of the teeth etc when I'm working on the cheeks etc. i.e. will they be affected by the move tool even though they're on the other side of the polygons for the cheeks.
Does that make sense? I hope so.

Also, I just upgraded to Max 2012 from 2011... what the hell happened to the "cut" tool. it dosn't seem to work like it used to. And "distance connect" is a poor substitute. Any thoughts?

[bravo2zero]

More then likely the old tool still exists they probably just removed the link to it in the user interface to push there new tool . try typing the the old command and executing it and see if it opens up .

[keepitloki]

Its still where it was, it just seems to have changed. Whether its a glitch or a deliberate change it no longer seems possible to create new edges by simply clicking on edges or verts on your topology using the cut tool.

[keepitloki]

In the end, prior to rigging, do the mouth parts (teeth & tongue) and the eyes need to be "Attached" to the main character mesh? (For rigging to work.)
I thinking of going with a bone based facial rig (no blend shapes)... is this practical with a tongue in the face rig?

[JoshuaK]

Hi Keepitloki,

You can actually keep the objects separate and import them as separate sub tools in zbrush using the Append function. You could even use the SubTool Master Plugin for Zbrush to make importing subtools go even faster. Here is a video that shows how to do what you are looking for:

http://www.digitaltutors.com/11/platform.php#/player?id=3717

It is using Maya and Zbrush but the importing process is really close to being the same. Hopefully this helps. If not, let me know and I'll try to solve your issue.