Dragon and Pterodactyl test subjects

[Geoffrey Hancock]

So this weekend I took my first stab at Zbrush.

First off, what a crazy cool program. Took a while to wrap my head around the UI, coming from a 3d animation background. The docs and demo movies/scripts are an insanely good way to teach a software.

First I tried bringing in a pterodactyle mesh I had made in maya. Basically just scupted the muscles to bring out the definition some more. Simply as an atomy study. Focused on above the waist and below the neck.

I loved how I could move up and down the subdivition levels.

Now I need to learn how to texture it. And I'm wondering how to paint a bump or displacement map, or is the idea to just subdevide like crazy and paint the wrinkles right into the mesh? I thought I saw a way to use the 'alpha' of a brush to paint a bump or displacement, that would be great. Back to the docs and movies I guess.

Next I started with a sphere while watching Sunday nights showing of the good the bad and the ugly. It inspired a dragon-like head. Couldn't figure out how to convert this to a poly mesh so I could use the different levels of subdivision.

Starting with sphere is no good for me though, can't stand the pinched poles.

Next to learn the wacky world of zpheres, that's a part of the ui that still has me stumped, though I haven't read about it yet.

here is a directory full of test images
Sketchbook (http://www.thenerdery.ca/sketch/images/)

and my main site so that I can stroke my page counter ego when you all go visit it
TheNerdery (http://www.thenerdery.ca/)

cheers!
g
http://www2.zbrushcentral.com/uploaded_from_zbc/200405/user_image-1084859456ryk.jpg
ps the leather scales bump map is just a lame procedural in maya, I haven't figured out how to texture in Zbrush yet...

[Frenchy Pilou]

You can modify the Sphere start :)
Look here (http://www.pixolator.com/zbc-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=1&t=013499) and there :) (http://www.pixolator.com/zbc-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=1&t=014019)
Cool dragon with crocodile skin :)
Pilou

[Geoffrey Hancock]

Aw, very cools links, thanks. I'll have to play around with the unified skin. I like the idea of starting with a cube better than a sphere. But mostly I want to dig into zspheres. It's tempting to just import a basic cage with good edge loops, but I think I will use zpheres lots in the long run.
Most of all I want to learn how people are getting those crazy fine high rez details. I assume it is a bump of displacement map painted on, becasue the shapes look like they use an alpha brush and not just the simple brushes you have a available while sculpting. Becasue you can't use an alpha with that brush right? I have found how to use the noise, which is cool.
g

[Geoffrey Hancock]

One other question that has arisen is how to continue on a model. I exported the mesh but when I reimopr the mesh and devide it I get a line or seam right across the nose where the simetry axis is. Like maybe the polys aren't welded together there or something. I also see that it make more sense to save the tool, not the mesh. I've also thankfull learned how to convert a sphere tool into a polmesh3d tool.
g

[Geoffrey Hancock]

http://www.thenerdery.ca/sketch/images/Dragon3.jpg
http://www.thenerdery.ca/sketch/images/Dragon_wire.jpg
http://www.thenerdery.ca/sketch/images/Pterodactyl_face.jpg
http://www.thenerdery.ca/sketch/images/Pterodactyl_front.jpg

[comette]

Good job, nice model dragon

[Geoffrey Hancock]

Ok, I learned how to use the projection master. It is all becoming clear. This is a very powefull tool. I had wondered how people got the really fine details.

Another new image..

http://www2.zbrushcentral.com/uploaded_from_zbc/200405/user_image-1085102072djg.jpg
sketchbook (http://www.thenerdery.ca/sketch/images/)

[Geoffrey Hancock]

That previous image is from Zbrush with photoshop touchups for the glow. Importing that mesh to maya reveals 500000+ polys. Wow.
g

[aurick]

Have you delved into the Z2 Practical Guide (http://www.pixolator.com/zbc-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=1&t=014968) yet? You'll learn a lot about texturing, ZBrush sculpting, creating and using displacement maps, etc.

Regarding saving models, you should always save them as a ZTL (Tool>Save As) if you intend to continue working with them in ZBrush. This is because the ZTL format stores the subdivision levels, while OBJ does not.