The "uniqueness" of Z

[STiM]

OK, so since I posted the "My Guide" image (my first), I have continued exploring ZBrush. I find it unique in many ways. It has a creative energy about it that I guess the regular posters in this group are fully aware of. I feel it too. There is something extremely compelling about it, and it almost magically allows real digital "art" to flow from our tablets (and mice.) This forum has been testimony to the fact. Every day, I find fantastic new looks, styles, and images. Since finding Z, and this forum, my eyes have never been happier ;)

BUT, as a "multimedia" professional, I tend to make things move. ZBrush creates an interesting roadblock to productivity in this area (or perhaps I am too much the neophyte at Z to have uncovered the secrets.) I have to admit, I have never really done a "project" with the thought of it "just sitting there". (No animation.) Creating "stills" seems to have a whole different approach to what I am used to. I am getting pretty well past the "learning the tools stage", but now I am wondering about extending Z with things like Cinema4D, and AfterEffects (my normal tools.) Cureently, ZBrush does not figure into my production plans outside of my own creative "fun". I'm trying to figure out useful and productive workflow for using Z as part of my professional development processes, too.

I would be very interested in a thread oriented to 1) Z workflow. Things like what to save, when to drop stuff to the canvas, when to bake, when to multimarker, etc. AND 2) How best to take useful content out of Z so as to be best prepared for being animated and having further development, for example, what if I wanted to create a program interface in ZBrush? How best to take what is normally a 40-50 layer photoshop file out of ZBrush (I realize it won't work the same, that's why I bring it up.)

I imagine that over time, I'll answer these questions for myself - but there are a lot of veterans here and I'm curious what has been tried already.

Happy ZBrushing everybody !! :cool:

[aurick]

A very thought-provoking post, and one that will most likely gather replies from more than myself.

I am a C4D user, too, and find that ZBrush is very useful in my workflow with that program. Here are a few of the ways:

<UL TYPE=SQUARE><LI>Creating seamlessly tiling textures to be used in various material channels
<LI>Using TextureMaster to paint textures on models that were created in C4D
<LI>Modeling objects for animation in C4D (version 1.5 will be especially useful for this with the low poly count capabilities)
<LI>Starting a base model in C4D and finishing the modeling in ZBrush (less of that, now, with version 1.5)
<LI>VERY easy creation of morph targets for animation. Import the geometry from C4D, and just have fun with it.
<LI>Creating matte backgrounds to go with an animation.
[/list]

There are so many different ways to apply these different uses that this post could turn into a novella before I was finished. The QuickLinks will point you in the direction of a lot of tutorials that cover every one of these topics. Although they weren't all written specifically for C4D, the basic principles carry across regardless of the animation package that you plan to work with.

And as I said, I'm sure other members will add their own favorite tips or uses here!

[Ken B]

I don't have anything new to add to what Aurick stated as uses for ZB with 3D animation programs, but I wanted to mention that I too use ZB in this workflow.

Importing/exporting models and textures is completely easy and trouble free.

[Muvlo]

I don't often use other programs than Z, but I have made several texture maps in ZBrush for export, and it works great. :)

[Frenchy Pilou]

Hi Stim
No animation in Zbrush ?
And Mister Robotalk ? :) http://www.pixolator.com/zbc-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_profile&u=00000042
Pilou

[STiM]

Well... I certainly wouldn't take anything away from Robotalk's fun and humorous animation - they are indeed always a welcome sight, but let's just say that there are limitations to what can be done... I found Aurick's reply to be particularly on target, and I appreciate everyone's considerations on the issue. I'm still working my way through developing a production process... :eek: