Ken Brilliant Lesson 10 -- Compositing

[aurick]

http://www2.zbrushcentral.com/zbc_uploads/user_image-1045854369ndw.jpg

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<h3>Ken Brilliant Lesson 10</h3>
<h2>Compositing</h2>
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Once again, Ken treats us to an innovative way for getting the most out of ZBrush. This time he shows two major elements of compositing.

Sometimes, lighting which works great for one element in a scene causes other elements to lose quality. So Ken first shows hows how to light different elements separately so that they all look good.

Second, Ken teaches a really cool technique for blending ZBrush objects into other images -- whether they are native ZBrush scenes or even imported photographs!

:b2: :b3: :b4:Click Here to Download the PDF (689 KB) (http://www2.zbrushcentral.com/ZBC/Compositing.zip) :b4: :b3: :b2:
Note: You must have Acrobat Reader installed to be able to view the tutorial after unzipping it.

Thank you, Ken!

Once again, we're continuing the tradition of issuing a challenge to all ZBrushCentral members:

Use these techniques to composite a ZBrush model onto an existing background -- this can be either a ZBrush image that you created previously or a photograph.

We look forward to seeing your results!

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Other tutorials in this series:

:b2: The Octopus (http://www.pixolator.com/zbc-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=1&t=008869)
:b2: The Cactus (http://www.pixolator.com/zbc-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=1&t=008975)
:b2: Membrane Curvature (http://www.pixolator.com/zbc-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=1&t=009010)
:b2: Unified Skinning (http://www.pixolator.com/zbc-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=1&t=009063)
:b2: MultipleMarker Skinning (http://www.pixolator.com/zbc-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=1&t=009094)
:b2: Hard-Edged ZSpheres (http://www.pixolator.com/zbc-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=1&t=009191)
:b2: Stylized Illustration (http://www.pixolator.com/zbc-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=1&t=009287)
:b2: UV Mapping (http://www.pixolator.com/zbc-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=1&t=009571)
:b2: Transferring Textures (http://www.pixolator.com/zbc-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=1&t=009708)

[Mahlikus The Black]

Sweet!
I have always wondered about compositing with photos!

Thanks Ken!!

[Mentat7]

Ahhh.........love the compositing with a plane/3d copy trick! Very ingenious!!

[DeeVee]

Thanks Ken, This tutorial is greatly appreciated!.

[Sarum]

good one ken :tu: :tu: ... i liked that plane/3d copy trick a lot too :)

[Mahlikus The Black]

First attempt...but I think I can do better...

http://www2.zbrushcentral.com/zbc_uploads/user_image-1045905693wpm.jpg

Original

http://www2.zbrushcentral.com/zbc_uploads/user_image-1045905846bap.jpg

[gummie]

Lol, Mahlikus, that looks good. ;) :tu:

It has its own texture feel to it right now, but I think the last part is adjusting the materials to pick up lighting better, or some specularity.

Nice job, I wouldn't want that freaky critter in my graveyard.

[Frenchy Pilou]

Hi MtB
You forget the [Gallery Entry] :)
I think you must make more elaborated shadows between you crazzy object and the grass !
I have don't see yet the ken B Tut, is a section for the shadow's trick ?
Pilou

[Ken B]

Mr. black,
That looks really good. Like gummie said, perhaps a little more adjustments to the material is in order. Also, notice how the shadows of the stones are darker and sharper where they meet the ground. If you can't get this with the rendering adjustments, bake the layer and darken the areas where the legs touch the ground by hand (shading enhancer brush). That would help a lot.

Lastly, why don't you try and place the bug partly behind a tombstone with the 3D copy trick. That would really make it feel like it was in the scene

[Northstarr]

Very informative indeed! This answers a lot of questions I have had regarding shadows & lighting and how to get the effect I want. Thanks tons! I think I will give this a try. If I get anything worthwhile I will post it. If not I will have to just keep trying... :)

[juandel]

a major step in z-evolution! thanks a zillion, Ken and Matthew!

- juandel

[JimMcKnew]

Ken - loved and learned from this tutorial, just like all your others. I already bought Digital Dinosaurs, when are you going to do a ZBrush book? <g> :} Jim

[Muvlo]

Thanks for the tutorial Ken! :) Very different from anything I've tried in ZBrush.

Here is my first attempt:
http://www2.zbrushcentral.com/zbc_uploads/user_image-1045954537ity.jpg

[Northstarr]

Not exactly the same technique but I thought I would post it anyhow. Instead of a shadow, I needed to blend the decorative object into the streams of sunlight. The picture is a snap shot taken by my son while he was in Italy. The decorative hanging globe type object has been added. If I can find a decent picture to try the shadow technique on I will give that a try too.

http://www2.zbrushcentral.com/zbc_uploads/user_image-1045988006jhr.jpg

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[The Namek]

here's my try at it :)
http://www2.zbrushcentral.com/zbc_uploads/user_image-1046031299vfw.jpg