Help

[Rage]

Does ZBrush do animation? if not, can you export models that you create in ZBrush into a program like animation: master? ( or from animation master to zb?)

Also, if i were to create an environment in lets say... Bryce, could i put that into zbrush?

Thanks.

[aurick]

ZBrush will import and export both the OBJ and DXF formats. These can be taken into most animation programs, although a few (such as 3DS Max) require a 3rd party conversion program. Textures that you create in ZBrush can also be taken into other programs.

You can learn a lot more about using ZBrush with other programs by visiting the QuickLinks (see the top right corner of this page).

[sirquadalot]

Hey Rage, ZBrush cannot due any type of animations currently (there are a few Zscripts, but no.) I have never used animation master, but if it supports obj., or DXF files you should be able to import those files back and forth. Pertainning to bryce which is another program I have never used, that would be tricky. ZBrush cannot import "scene" files. You would have to import each object with it's corresponding texture file or just import the object and texture it in ZB. Just remember as file formats go, DXF cannot support UV coordinates so you would want to save any objects you create as OBJ. files (they support UV mapping). Getting back to the bryce question, after you brought in your objects, you would have to manually place them in the scene. Keep into account that you have only one camera and it is permanently fixed in a set position and is unable to be moved. To get past this problem you would have to use a tool called the multi maker tool. There are a ton of zscripts/tutorials on this subject just look around the site here. After that you can adjust your lighting and do whatever else you would like to in the image. ZBrush 1.23b is primarily a painting program. It does have some fantastic abilities when it somes to 3d modeling, but to fully utilize those abilities, we all have to wait for the new version 1.5 which should be comming out soon(you actually may be able to create some amazing 3D characters out of one mesh with UV coordinates in place). Sorry for the long winded response, but I hope it's been helpful.

[JohnArtbox]

Rage as long as you have version AM 8.5 you can use Mike Hough's obj exporter to get UV mapped AM models into Zbrush, but due to AM's patch format you can't go the other way.
if you have an obj to 3ds convertor(I use Lightwave) you can load Zbrush models as props.
I have a small flash tut on painting AM models using zbrush at
www.artboxanimation.com/texture.html (http://www.artboxanimation.com/texture.html)
John

[Rage]

Thanks guys :)

So lets say i created a character in A:M, then put it into Zbrush, and then edited it( ie, textures, color) could i import it back into A:M and use it in animation?

Basically this is my problem:
I have 600$ to put into cg programs. I am really impressed with Zbrush and i know my time is running out because i need to get it before 1.5 comes out.

I was thinking that i could get A:M for animation and Zbrush for models and 2.5d art.

I basically would like to have an animation program that is fairly powerful, and a program that can do good rendering/textures/modeling.

Thanks for your help, if you have any more suggestions or programs i should take a look at before i make my decision, it would be very much appreciated.

**edit** I also got bryce from a friend awhile back.

[aurick]

I believe that another way to get from ZBrush to AM is through UV Mapper (www.uvmapper.com (http://www.uvmapper.com)). A couple of people have told me that if you export the OBJ from ZBrush, load it into UV Mapper, and then immediately save it right back out of UV Mapper it will then go into Animation Master and a few of the other trickier ones.

[Frenchy Pilou]

Hi Rage
Take a look at http://www.hash.com
299$ "hash" + 299$ "Zbrush" = 598 $ :)
Pilou

[Rage]

Yeah that is what animation:master is Frenchy. :)

Thank you aurick.

[sirquadalot]

Check out Eovia.com and curious labs.com reasonably priced and have some features I think you would be interested in.