Newbie Challenge #001 Deco Brush

[aminuts]

newbiechallenge#001.jpg

Hi New Zbrushers!!

This post might be a little long winded because it is the first. Forgive me for that.

Andreseloy and I have gotten together to bring you some challenges to help you learn zbrush. This first challenge might be kinda rough but we are just getting started....and learning some new things ourselves...but I promise you, that like you we will only get better!!!

These challenges will be left open as hopefully there is always someone new to Zbrush who will want to add what they have learned to the mix!!

The idea as it stands today (it might change as we grow in our abilities to guide and figure out a gameplan) is to start with the brushes, like the DECO BRUSH. The reason being for this is....we can show you the basics of how Zbrush works at the same time show you some more advanced stuff....step by step with the idea...each lesson will help you further down the road with Zbrush.

Kind of like the Practical Guide, but with more time spent on specific things and various ways of doing things, to give you more ideas and see different ways of doing things.

Keep in mind that we cannot show you every durn thing Zbrush does within each challenge, we will however endeavor to show you as many options possible for each lesson......some yes may be repeating...but only because they are important or necessary for using Zbrush and are the same for other tools.

With that said we are including a file here. This file includes two scripts on basics of Deco brush.....

the first is very basic.....how to get started using the brush

the second is basic...but will show you how to use the deco brush to create an alpha to use later as a skin for deforming a model. This one includes a deco ztool you can use to experiment with.

The third....Andreseloy...shows some magic and more advanced ways to use the Deco brush!!!

The file is a zip file and to use it properly you will need to unzip it into the Zbrush Zscripts folder.

then start Zbrush go to Zscript menu and click load....go to the Zbrush/zscripts/newbiechallengescripts folder to find the scripts.

You should also watch the very excellent Deco Brush tutorial included with zbrush.

remember you can turn on Actions and Notes in for scripts, you can also slow things down within the zscript menu.

At the very least...make sure Notes are turned on!!!!!!!

That said......your challenge is to take what you have learned and make some cool alphas for skins or create a cool tileable texture or create a cool alpha others can use for Meats Meier's wire style, or paint a scene with it.

in other words...show us what you learned, and show us a creative way to use it that you discovered on your own!!!

And don't forget some more scripts are on the way to give you a helping hand.

If you have a question about what you have seen please ask!

Good luck!!

[DaveG]

Thanks for thinking of us - I have had Z for a while but still consider myself a newbie as I have hardly ever used it.

I hop to post to this thread quite soon.

Cheers
Dave

[bicc39]

Many,many thanks for the thoughtfullness and generousity that went
into this thread.
Would have expected no less,considering the names mentioned.

Edit: downloaded and tried the script(s).
One suggestion.
Keep these!!!
I believe you have a winning idea here that will bear fruition down the
road.
Best of luck and again my thanks for something that I am sure
was not put together in a few minutes.

[andreseloy]

deco fire effect.jpg
Is an honour that aminuts invited me to cooperate in this usefull Challenge.
Here is a Deco Fire Effect. The files can download from my website because are greater than 200K. The alpha file is SKINFURR (im not sure if it from Ralf Stump so i apologize that i dont remember the name creator for the appropiate credits.).The R 218 G 72 B 14 color with the decofire ztool.
Thanks to aminuts, DaveG and bicc39.
Andreseloy

[andreseloy]

The use of Deco Brush making wrinkles is very usefull.
The downloaded file are in my website.
Thanks for your attention
Andreseloy

[kenkc]

I watch all three and learned alot!

It might help,whenever possible to explain the tools within the context of a task (producing a model,creating a texture,etc.). I think that helps the learning process and adds another layer of instruction as well.

[Aztec...soljA]

Sounds Familiar....:D
Can I post too?:)

[aminuts]

hi everybody..thanks for the feed back!! I hope to see some Deco fun from you soon!!

Andreseloy...thanks for hosting those cool scripts on your site and your hard work!!

Kenkc.......I wanted to get some very basics out first, if you check out what Andreseloy is hosting at his site....he has some scripts that will show you how it is useful for say taking that skin alpha and using it to deform a model. Having said that we will try to have more specifc scripts to show uses for the next challenge. We are newbies at this ourselves....we'll do better next time around, I promise!:D

[aminuts]

hi Aztec,

I would be honored if you showed your stuff with the Deco Brush.....or better yet create a zscript that will help explain what you are doing with it to our new friends!!

[DaveG]

Now I really feel ignorant - I watched the first part and when I try it myself it just doesn't work at all.

Tried a few times with the same result. :confused:

Shall I post a script?

Thanks
Dave

I had my mouse and Wacom conflicting (Wacom mouse on tablet).

Sorry for that! :o

[aminuts]

Phew! I am glad you discovered the problem!!!

I hope they help you out!!

More...I hope you have fun!!

[Moochie]

Oh cool! I always learn things best when I worry away at one thing at a time until I 'get' it (or break it!). Typical bloke .. can't multi-task to save my life.

[aminuts]

Hi Moochie,

Welcome to the club!! I hope our challenges will be of great use to you then!!

Don't forget to show us that cool creation you make!!

[DaveG]

Here is the first try from the first script! Hope you enjoy! I did! :D

ZDeco_001.jpg

[lemonnado]

Background tex and tex for the "planet's" made with the deco brush and the seamless trick. "Buttmen" from the super cool PeoplePoker Script! I love those guy's. I left it a bit dark because I use it as screen background.

Thanks for the tutorial guy's!!!! I did not use the brush before... Now I saw a couple of really cool options!

LemonNado
PS:This is my FIRST ZB picture where I drew what I wanted 8-). Not what ZB wanted to surprise me with hahaha.

http://img91.exs.cx/img91/3599/peoplepoker9bd.th.jpg (http://img91.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img91&image=peoplepoker9bd.jpg)

[jotajota]

:) utilizo fotografias como color y alphas para dar la sensacion de materia
variando la intensidad se logran diferentes calidades en la textura..dejo el gris de base para no saturar la imagen ...encuentro esta herramienta muy util para trabajar en 2d ,solo comparable con los Brush de PAINTER
DECO_DOC3.jpg :
Gracias a Aminuts & Andreseloy por motivar a la exploracion de esta herramienta :cool: :tu: :tu:

[Moochie]

Okies. First go. I used alpha brush #54, experimented with the deco brush options, and made a sort of necklace. I grabbed the alpha and created a 3D object. Then slammed it through various distortions (random, I'm afraid, just looking for pleasing shapes), then played with various textures, lighting options, reflections maps and who knows what else. Went way way off topic. Heh heh. Here's the result.
alpha01.jpg

[Rawnrr]

I loved the way everything blended together as you passed the strokes over each other....very cooldeco-scale.jpg

[ryankingslien]

Cool idea Aminuts!

Here's something i did while exploring the deco brush as a painting tool. Not meant to be "ART". Just a sketch from me noggin.

decoBrushPainting_1_web.jpg

attached is also the zscript.

r

[DaveG]

Another one with various textures (brick wall, rusty wall, marble tiles etc) but no attempt yet for anything serious - just having fun! :D

This is a good way to learn! Thanks guys! :tu:

Cheers

Newbie_Deco_002.jpg

[aminuts]

Wow!!! Some very cool stuff....I love it!!!

DaveG...great play....I cannot begin to tell you of the countless hours lost playing with this brush!!!;)

Lemmonado...very cool...and am glad you are now the master of your Zbrush domain!!:D

JotaJota....have to say your explorations went rather well!!!:D I love the fisheye lens effect of the main pic!!

Moochie and Rawnrr....great firsts....lets see some more!!!:D

Ryan......Very cool...I was hoping someone would go this route and what a great bonus to have you share the script....this will open some doors for sure THANK YOU!!!!

[Brush-lee]

Wow really nice and original stuff here!!!:tu:

http://img222.exs.cx/img222/6691/tnt102pc.jpg (http://www.imageshack.us)

[SpaceMan]

aminuts and Andreseloy Thanks for the :cool: newbie learning place and for the :cool: decobrush zscripts.

A note about using materials with the decobrush - Z2 has 4 default paper ones I did a sample of one of them (I do not know how to make paper mats but the four with Z2 are :cool: )
here's the sample image
deco with paper materials.jpg

[spasmodic_cheese]

dammit, i wish i could contribute to this.. are these comps held regulary?, i get my copy of zb2 in late april

[Moochie]

Only alphas from the default library. Bit of postwork in PS Elements (wish I could afford CS). Stoopid but fun. And so is my picture.
alpha02.jpg

[andreseloy]

Aminuts was right when he think in this thread like very instructive and helpfull.
This is Deco Long Hair Effect.
Just pick up the alpha and its all:D
Deco Long Hair Image.jpg
Andreseloy

[MadWickedStiner]

What a great Idea!!! I would be willing to do these kinds of challenges more than once a week.

Also, I challenge anyone to name a tool in another program that has the power of the Deco Brush...
Good place to start with this!!
Here are my "playin around" entries...

[abxy]

wow, long hair deco...so it really can be done? hm, interesting. I'm planning on creating 3d hair in zbrush using the "cwhal & ronm" method. but if that falls through i'll experiment with the long hair deco now. thanks :)

[andreseloy]

here is a test and zscript with alpha made in ZB
Hope this help
Andreseloy

[andreseloy]

i right saw your DecoImages¡¡¡ all are great and the 3 one is just superb to me¡¡
I imagine the third in a big gallery art¡¡¡so spectacular¡
Congratulations
Andrseloy

[aminuts]

Great stuff!!!! Keep em coming!!


Spasmodic_Cheese.....Have no fear...this and all future challenges are going to be left open, so join in when you are ready!!!

[Brush-lee]

Wow I could spend one month with the deco brush only making alphas:D .

You alredy will know but here it is a little description:

1.Only decobrush/ no texture at all.
2.Deco brush with 1. as texture.
3.The 2. as alpha in projection master.

http://img222.exs.cx/img222/1355/deco0yf.jpg (http://www.imageshack.us/)

[DaveG]

Nothing more at this moment but hope for more in the next day or so.

Impressed with what I have seen and I shall continue to expand my imagination to create more.

I think my style is typically soft and gentle and shys away from monsters and stuff, though trying one would be a fun experience!

Keep up the good stuff all! :D :tu: :tu:

Cheers
Dave

[aminuts]

hey Dave

soft and gentle is cool ya know.....even if doing monsters can be crazy fun....I think it's harder to create something soft and gentle.....so take your time!! and don't worry it's not a monster....there are plenty of those!!

Be yourself, and let your vision shine....we ask nothing more, nothing less!!!!;)

[Moochie]

Just messing about. Very slowly getting a degree of control over this powerful tool (the deco brush). I've been getting some cool effects using very low RGB and Z intensity settings, combined with soft edges and the spray options. Sometimes I'm getting roughly the result I expect, but most times I get a surprise. Often it's a nice surprise, but I am glad the Ctrl and Z keys are so close to each other! :rolleyes:

Incidentally, I was trying to make seamless tiles. I can do it using the drop down menu (to scroll the canvas), but the Help notes refer to the tilde key. I always thought that was '~', but no joy (Ctrl ~ drag). Difference between US and UK keyboards, maybe?
alpha03.jpg

[andreseloy]

In my Toshiba Laptop the ñ is the tilde key¡
Cameyo has found key and looking in the Preference Panel touching the different keys and seeing what number correspond to the tilde ¡
Andreseloy

[DaveG]

Also just messing again - and quite pleased with the results. So much fun and also so relaxing. Just great! :tu:

Enjoy!
:)

Alphas_005.jpg

Alphas_006.jpg

[Stephen Casey]

Great concept and follow through guys. I would suggest being more specific with the name of the third ZScript and the Tool. For Instance:

\Newbie-Challenges-&-Tutorials
2005-03-24-A&A-Deco-Brush-1-Basic Use.txt
2005-03-24-A&A-Deco-Basic-2-More Technique and your Challenge.txt
2005-03-24-A&A-Deco-Basic-3-A&A-Wild-Examples.txt
2005-03-24-A&A-Deco-Basic-4-Tool.ztl

This way the users can dump all of your future and present offerings into one folder if they want and not worry about finding them again for future referance, or cluttering up their folder structure. Also more use of hyphens & or spaces makes it easier and faster to understand.

You guys are tops in my book and I hope to see many more of these efforts in the future!

[jotajota]

Gracias Andreseloy..he seguido su zscript y me ha servido cantidades!! :cool: :tu:

[andreseloy]

Gracias a ti jotajota por tu entusiasmo y tus excepcionales cualidades artìsticas¡
Andreseloy

[Aztec...soljA]

There the different uses of the deco brush!:D
I.LOVE.THE.DECO.BRUSH (http://www.zbrushcentral.com/zbc/showthread.php?t=23708)
balloon copy.jpg playa copy.jpg

[aminuts]

Aztec!!!!!! Thank you!!! Awesome stuff as usual!!:D

DaveG...You are becoming a decomaster!

Stephen.....Thank you for the suggestions. I tried to set up a folder with this challenge that we will be using for future ones....can't remember what I named it now ahahhaa but hopefully it explains the folder well. Your idea for naming the files is perfect.....I am sure we woulda got around to that by say the 10th hahahaha...just kidding...:rolleyes: . We kinda started on the fly, but have been communicating and should have a much better challenge #2 and hope to improve with each one!!!

Any suggestions that would help us to improve are greatly appreciated....be kind...we are just getting started!!!:D

[DaveG]

Learning nicely and thanks for the compliment :)
Here is my "latest and greatest" - seems like I am flooding this thread!

Alphas_008.jpg

Cheers

[MadWickedStiner]

abstract.jpg

[DaveG]

Alphas_010.jpg

Cheers!
Dave

[andreseloy]

abstract deco.jpg
Andreseloy

[Moochie]

I cheated and started playing with some of the other brushes. :p Plus I dug out an old cheesy ray filter. Most was deco brush, though. Everyone's been posting cool images .. this has been a splendid learning experience. Thanks to the guys for setting it up.

I've found ZB keeps crashing when I try to use the snake hook brush. 1gig ram, 2.4ghz Athlon, plenty of scratch disk space on a separate drive from ZB and XP. Worked through the settings optimisation tutorial and read the notes. Known glitch with ZB or more likely to be my rig?
city.jpg

[andreseloy]

firts at all the image is wonderful, different and refhesing¡¡
Have you set in Preference>Mem a values for MEM near the maximum you have in RAM?
The default value of the app is 256MB.
Hope this help
Andreseloy

[aminuts]

Moochie...not bad for a cheater!!! Hahaha just kidding...

that's what these challenges are all about....getting you
exploring on your own!!! and creating some cool stuff
like this latest you just created!! Great job!!!!!!:D

Cool pic Andreseloy!!!

[argonaut]

deco brush.jpg

[aminuts]

yes it is alot of fun isn't it? Keep going!

[Always]

Superb image moochie. :tu: