Heads up on new Zack Petroc and Gnomon Workshop DVD!

[skycastle]

Today I had the pleasure of having a small preview of a new Zbrush centric DVD
from Zack Petroc and Gnomon. Zack was Model Supervisor on the
film World Of Tomorrow and is a wicked digital and traditional sculptor! If you're
interested in picking up a few new character modeling tips and tricks,
checkout this DVD. This guy is a walking anatomy book!


Dave

[marcus_civis]

That sounds very interesting; his work is amazing. Have you any idea when it will be out? (The Gnomon site just says 'December')

Thanks,
Marcus

[Ctrl-Z]

Actually, it says December 15 (http://www.thegnomonworkshop.com/dvds/zpe01.html).

Definitely looking forward to that -- my anatomy's not so great.

Umm... I mean... my sense of anatomy. My knowledge of it. In all other ways, my anatomy is spectacular! :o

Yeah.

Also be sure to check out the Intro to ZBrush (http://www.thegnomonworkshop.com/dvds/mme01.html) and ZBrush Production Pipeline (http://www.thegnomonworkshop.com/dvds/mme02.html)DVDs -- you're all familiar with Meats' artwork here, but having recently gone through his course at Gnomon (http://www.gnomon3d.com/courses/1week3d/zbrush1w.html), I can answer the question of "okay, but can he teach?" with a resounding "Yup!"

[marcus_civis]

Thanks Ctrl-Z, can't think how I missed that... Definitely worth a look.

Marcus

[zpetroc]

Thanks Dave, and I'm glad you guys are looking forward to the release. There should be a semi in-depth speal going up on cgChannel in the near future, but I think the members of this forum should be the first to see any images. You are the foundation of the ZBrush community, as far as I'm concerned, and there is a real understanding of how ZBrush changes the ART of digital sculpting, not just the interface. That was the focus of the DVD lecture as well, so posting these screenshots here first seems appropriate.

screenShot_06.jpg
screenShot_07.jpg
screenShot_08.jpg
screenShot_09.jpg
later,

[Troymcoy]

Really nice work Zach, i'll be interested in the DVD...
Is your approach typically zspheres then sculpting?

[vclortho]

damn! i think i try to cry. so good.

[punnw]

yeh dude, that's hot. hot hot hot!! that dvd just went straight to the top of my chritmas list, right above the new jessica simpson cd. oh santa i been so good this year.

[abxy]

Zack, if you're still hanging around this thread... I know you started the [really] low res cage in maya, then imported into zbrush to sculpt everything else, but without giving too much away, is it also possible to start from a low-polygon zspheres model that has been turned into a poly mesh, so that you could start and finish all within zbrush?also December 16th is my birthday so this couldn't have been a better present. Thanks Zack, Meats, and Gnomon!

[marcus_civis]

Thanks for sharing these Zack! They're wonderful and inspiring.

Marcus

[wierdPal]

I'm ordering all 3. I've been waiting for these for a while. I new meats was working on a few, but I was unaware of any other instructors.
I'd really like to see Alex Alvarez take a shot a ZB DVD. I was very impressed with the work he posted in here. I'd like to see what his technique is like. For being such a new comer to the application he was making some wicked cool stuff IMHO. I was impressed. :)

[Frenchy Pilou]

...cool tuts :tu:
Pilou

[zpetroc]

abxy-
Yes, you could also start with ZSpheres. The lecture does briefly speak to the different approaches, and their respective benefits. Once ZBrush has a true perspective view to model in I'll probably switch over to starting with ZSpheres.

punnw-
Didn't Santa say you needed to drop ten pounds of baby fat before he would get this DVD for you? Or just convince Luma to buy it for you.

[punnw]

I just informed Luma of the dvds, so hopefully they'll spring for them. but i wanted my own copy to go up on my zpetroc shrine.

[chadtheartist]

The perspective modeling view is available for the Mac right now (Hit the U key), so I can imagine that whenever Pix updates the PC version the perspective view will be available.

I'm a huge fan of your work Zack, and I will definitely be getting your DVD. I still look at your model you gave away awhile back for reference, but to see how you create it will be a treat. I'd like to see you do a female model too, but that's just my wishful thinking.

Actually, I want to know if you focus on the hands with the modeling of this guy. I have huge problems doing hands inside Zbrush, and I think it's mainly due to how I work. Your hands on your models look perfect, actually everything does, but your hands stand out to me as the best hands I've seen on a "complete" 3d model. Whenever I do hands in Zbrush they turn out like misshapen lumps of poo.

Thanks for the efforts in pushing the 3D medium. I wish I would have had something like this when I started learning 3D two years ago. Live and learn I guess.

[zpetroc]

Chad,

The lecture does cover the creation of the entire body, including the hands, from start to finish. I tried not to skip any steps so the viewer can see everything built from the beginning. I hope it helps. Its hard to tell how beneficial one of these things will be from someone else's perspective, because its typically focusing on something you've done over and over again. If anyone does end up getting this, and they don't like absolutely 100% of the content, I'll personaly refund their money out of my own pocket. And by " give refund" I mean "do nothing!"

I'll see how well recieved this DVD is, then I had planned on doing a female next. Come-on'


Also- What's with the irrational prejudice against this post. Why won't the frickin thread go back to the beginning of the forum when someone replies. Its getting hard for me to find.

[chadtheartist]

Sounds great Zack. I know I'll be getting this, and if other up and coming artist's are smart they'll pick it up too. Like I said before, your work is phenomenal!

That's cool that you're thinking of doing a female 3D model too. Hopefully this first DVD will sell well, and we'll get to see the other half of the human species. I guess it's not really necessary to make a whole other DVD on it, but to me I'd like to see your process for how you build a "realistic" woman, as opposed to most 3D female models I've seen. Maybe if you can do a creature(animal) model as well, that might add more to the idea for a new DVD. That way you can just focus on the "female" bits, and a creature(animal). Just an idea, so I hope you don't take offense to that.

I may sound overly enthused, but I'm pumped. Seeing someone of your talent doing instruction is going to be awesome!

[aminuts]

Are the up and coming ones listed at gnomon yet? I gotta get my zmas list together yesterday and if I had some names and numbers or a link....I can get away with waiting til the 15th.

Zack....these preview pics look great and I look forward to watching you work....just one question......what size shoe does this guy wear? :D

[wierdPal]

zpetroc, that's what I've been waiting to hear. I've been waiting for someone to model a female on DVD for a while. Although - I think I have a pretty good grip on it now - I'll still get it for the insight into the techniques of other artists. :D

Anyway, If you wouldn't mind please do me a favor, and tell Alex Alvarez, or Sean Mills to use cross platform tools in the Maya videos. I was recently informed the Sean Mills DVD's use Byrons Poly Tools which are not available for Mac OS X. So those DVD's just went off my list. Even though he modeled one of my 3 Randy Rhoads Custom limited edition re-issue Guitars. (I actually only have the black, and brass one (#77 of 100)

Lastly.
I think the reason the thread isn't going back to the top is because of the rating system. If you don't rate it, or if other threads with more posts have all been rated highly they will remain on top of the forum because of an accumulated higher rating. - That's a guess, but this forum does seem to act like that.

[ReplicA]

I need a lot of help with anatomy, so this dvd is something I'm really excited about. I think correct anatomy is very important, and this dvd is like a god-send for me. Thanks, man, I can't wait. :D

[vclortho]

ten pounds.... baby fat.... heh...

[abxy]

just bought it. can't wait till it gets here :D

thanks again zack and gnomon...gonna get yours soon too meats. but i can only afford one at a time.

[zpetroc]

Also, if you have questions about the junk I've covered on the DVD, post them here and I'll try to help. In a creative learning curve, when you begin to analyze your own art from a different viewpoint, you often end up with more questions then when you started. I covered a lot of material, and I intended it to be a complete lecture. So, if you have questions, I should answer them.

later pigs,

[abxy]

just got the DVD in the mail today, i'll be looking at it tonight. i have to work tomorrow, so i'll probably watch half tonight, and half tomorrow...then keep rewatching and rewatching;)....but if i have any questions, i'll be sure to let you know here on this thread.

[bnicolucci]

Got the DVD late yesterday and have just finished going through it the first time just to get a feel for it. My first reaction is wow Zack, you are amazing. Watching you rough out the figure and then detail it in was a big eye opener. Makes me realize how much more observing I need to do on my anatomy. Plan on spending more time going through it step by step over the next week while I am working on a mesh.

Can't say enough how great this DVD is and how highly I recommend it. I will definitely be purchasing any others you do and will definitely have many question for you. Two big thumbs up!

BTW, I'm really looking forward to watching you and everyone else at the ZBrush users meeting. Hopefully I will have some stuff to show you if you have the time.

[rumors]

Zack's Human Anatomy DVD is just superb. This is one of those rare resources that you will keep going back to because there is so much valuable information. I would love to see some more training from him, animals, female, anything. He gives a great lecture that does not fatigue you.

I'm shelving this DVD next to Illusion of Life and Animators Survival Kit.. the stuff I keep going back and learning from.

[chadtheartist]

I finally got the money to get this, so I ordered it today! I doubt it will be here soon, but you never know.

I'm glad to see some reviews of what people think of the DVD. It makes it that much more enticing. Since I'm off this weekend I'm going to be doing some sketching, which I haven't done in a while. That way I can have a model/character designed to apply this DVD too.

Chad

[wierdPal]

I have not gotten time to watch the hole thing, but I have to say that I do dislike the new Gnomon disc format compared to the old DVD style. I liked being able to watch them in full screen (or any size), or on my TV. That is my one misgiving on these DVD's. It kind of sucks that I cant shrink it down and move the player into a corner of my screen, while I work along with it either.

At least the content is second to none as usual. :tu:

[Ctrl-Z]

I ended up copying the media to my hard drive, as my DVD Rom couldn't keep up with it's streaming speed. From there, I have any number of ways to get the signal from my PC to a television, but I can't imagine having it there would be worth the loss in resolution.

[chadtheartist]

Hey Zack, I finally got the DVD in yesterday. I watched all of it last night, and I just wanted to thank you for sharing your workflow. You've opened up my eyes on better techniques, and how to properly weight an organic mesh in 3D. I never really thought about some of the things you did in this lecture, and I can't wait to start applying what I've learned from your DVD tonight when I get home.

After watching through this DVD, I don't think there will be a reason to do another one dedicated to the female form. Personally I'd much rather get into some anatomy books and start working it out myself. What you've shown in this DVD, in my opinion, is basically how to relate the muscle structures with bone, and fat in order to provide the proper volume and form to the model. This to me can apply to anything, including animals. I just need to do proper research, and get tons of reference.

Thanks again for showing me how to sculpt smarter. I definitely appreciate you sharing your knowledge!

[ReplicA]

I got mine, and I'd like to thank you for the 2 things you did NOT do. First, thanks for NOT going the technical route. I'm getting sick of all the technical tutorials out there, and your artistic approach really helped out a lot. And secondly, thanks for NOT dumbing it down. It was refreshing to watch a tutorial where a certain level of understanding was expected, rather than explaining every little thing you did with the tools... There's already a ton of beginner tutorials out there, it's a bout time we get something that's a bit more advanced.

Everything done on that DVD was clear and understandable, so I have no questions for you. Great work all around, and I can't wait for the next one.

[Ctrl-Z]

Zack mentioned at the User Meeting that he's already grown critical of the model produced in that DVD. If he thinks he can do better, by all means bring it on!

There may not be a necessity for a female mesh video, but there is a demand. If he makes it, it will be watched, and devoured. As with the animal anatomy.

As for the need, I think another Human, perhaps built out of ZSpheres and focusing more time on the edge organization once we're able to do that natively inside of ZBrush, would be huge.

But, yes. This DVD set is great, and should be enough to get anyone properly motivated to do the proper research themselves. If nothing else comes of it, we still have a great resource -- I get your point, and agree with it to that extent. I just don't think that's reason enough to stop there. ;)

[chadtheartist]

I agree, if Zack does another DVD I'll be in line to get it as soon as possible. My point was now that I can see how he does his work, it's really only a matter of studying your reference, and applying it to your model. The thing that this DVD demonstrates is how he chose to do it for a male model. I'm sure he applies the same methodology to every organic model he does.

Personally now that I've seen this video, and there is a lot to digest don't get me wrong, I'd like to see him focus on something different. Maybe animal anatomy, or maybe even creature design, or something like that. But if he feels he can do better on the DVD with a different humanoid model, then I'd be up for that too! LOL

Just give me time to study this one first. :D

[vclortho]

watch just now. this dvd #1. thank to you zpetroc.

[chadtheartist]

Just wanted to say thanks to Zack again, and to show you what I've learned so far. IMO, this DVD is an essential tool for any artist, 3D or not.

The first model I did using your techniques Zack:

http://homepage.mac.com/chadtheartist/WIP/PhotoAlbum58.html

I can't wait to see what the fifth, or tenth model will look like.

Thanks again!

[Ctrl-Z]

I think your mesh's musculature might be too pronounced on the body -- she looks undernourished. But not so in the face. A little body fat would go a long way towards making her feel like a healthy individual. There again, this may just be lighting.

Definitely keep going, though -- I absolutely agree with your assessment -- five to ten models down the line, you're going to be unstoppable!

[chadtheartist]

Nope, it's not the lighting. They are too pronounced. Once I convert the topology over, I plan to soften the whole body, mostly the shoulders/back, legs and arms. But I really don't know how the xyShrinkwrap step is going to be, since I've never done that before. Hopefully I'll have the topology redone done tonight. Then I'll get to the Shrinkwrap step. I'll post updates on my site. Thanks for the critique.

[zpetroc]

I'm glad to hear that you guys have absorbed the true points of the DVD. It was hard for me to predict my abilities to convey specific thoughts through a DVD lecture. It really was about a creative process that's applicable to sculpting any intended form. The human figure was just a base used to showcase these techniques.


Chad, your female sculpt is a great start, and I like the way you're pulling info directly from the lecture. Hope there is enough there to keep you interested for a while.



I think there would be value in a female figure Lecture, but I'll most likely wait until the next version of ZBrush so I can integrate the new features into the process, i.e. posing the model, and re-drawing the mesh. I'm considering another DVD title revolving around character\creature design. Something that specifically points out good and bad design decisions while being honest, but brutal when critiquing and trying to avoid creating yet another dis-jointed and predictable sculpt. -Go team cyborg.



cheers,

[Lyr]

Thanks for the awesome DVD Zack. I really enjoyed it and gained so much from it. It reminded me of bieng in art school again and just bieng focused on the things that make great art. Your DVD really openend my mind up on how to use Zbrush and how to approach modeling without sacrificing form. I hope you decide to produce some more DVD's as watching you work and listening to your lectures is a real mind blowing experience.

[GusYamin]

Hello Zack!

I just got the DVD, and finishing to see each lesson in detail.
I must congratulate you for your talent! Your knowledge of anatomy quickly shines through even the lowest resolutions of the model! And anyone can have a clear view of what it means to call ZBrush "Digital Clay". ;)

I am also a PRman user, and I have noticed you do not touch the topic of Maya/Renderman settings in the DVD.
Though I can really see this was not the focus of this particular DVD release, I am wondering if you could share with us here your Renderman workflow... You have managed to keep all the exquisite detail of the model in the displaced version, and I've been facing some dificulties in setting PRman to reproduce the fine details of the maps...

I've tried to use the model you posted in another thread here as a ZBrush to Renderman test subject. I am still unable to reach settings that reproduce all the subtle features you have in that model. My renders just look like a "melted" of smoothed version of your original guy. No fine creases, veins or hair...

There's been a lot of info shared here on how to set MentalRay to faithfully render ZBrush maps, but there's little specifics on PRman. And, I wouldn't really like to move to MR, Turtle, VRay or some other renderer to get a good "ZBrush to Maya" pipeline... Your renders look GREAT! You could probably point me - and others - to the right direction!... ;)

Thanks in advance for any help!

[zpetroc]

Have a lot of things going on this month, but if you post an image, or emial me an image, I can try to help you trouble shoot. Then perhaps you can help me, and others by discussing how we solved the problems you were encountering.

cheers,