Z-TOOL BOX

[Mentat7]

Hey everyone! I had an idea to start a thread where we could post cool thingies created from tools using deformations or what have you. You know those neat little gizmos that you make while you're experimenting but don't quite know what to do with. I think it would be a good learning experience and give a lot of people insights on the finer manipulation of tools. Try to come up with a method. Record the script and post it here. I will start off first.

Here is a little head-piece I came up with.

Headdress.txt (http://www2.zbrushcentral.com/zbc_uploads/user_file-1015116249qjv.txt)

http://www2.zbrushcentral.com/zbc_uploads/user_image-1015116316zqm.jpg

[Stonecutter]

Great idea, and very useful, Lonnie... :tu:
Here's one from me...
http://www2.zbrushcentral.com/zbc_uploads/user_image-1015117313dnp.jpg

SharpEdgeModelling.txt (http://www2.zbrushcentral.com/zbc_uploads/user_file-1015117337umc.txt)
This is a tutorial on 'Sharp Edge' modelling...It would be best to set 'Show Actions' on, and watch brush size, and intensity settings... ;)

[Mentat7]

Good one Mike. I remember it well. OK everybody let's see what you can come up with. This is a challenge to get you in your ZTool workshop and get those digital hammers and anvils a workin' !! ;)

[drjjwow]

i would like to add my deform tools that i plan to use in my next image.. http://www2.zbrushcentral.com/zbc_uploads/user_image-1015129640mpw.jpg

[[EA]Krippler]

i think this is a great ideal. so i looked at mentals script then decided to play around and i had no ideal what i was making till it was done lol. i still dont know what it is but it looks cool, and kinda reminds me of a motorcycle gas tank so i thought it could be a spare for pixolators bike.

http://members.rogers.com/osrclub/otherimages/gastank.jpg

gastank2.txt (http://www2.zbrushcentral.com/zbc_uploads/user_file-1015145645lrd.txt)

[Mentat7]

Those are cool....let's keep em coming. I think we are on a good start to filling up our Z-Thing warehouse. :D

[gebe]

Thanks for these scripts. That's great for me, just beginning. I have every thing to learn.

[Mentat7]

Here's a sunflower..........

Sunflower.txt (http://www2.zbrushcentral.com/zbc_uploads/user_file-1015168331gdo.txt)

http://www2.zbrushcentral.com/zbc_uploads/user_image-1015168499dmz.jpg

[Muvlo]

This is a good idea, Mentat. :)

Here is a kind of crazy script for making binoculars: Binoculars (http://www2.zbrushcentral.com/zbc_uploads/user_file-1015170683ixm.txt)
http://www2.zbrushcentral.com/zbc_uploads/user_image-1015170869hdv.jpg

[filament9]

This means, of course, that I now have to start hitting the "stop recording" button. lol

[DeeVee]

This is my submission. sorry I forgot to stop the recording so I do not have a ZScript but it is similar to the flowers experiment. http://www2.zbrushcentral.com/zbc_uploads/user_image-1015178959spb.jpg

[drjjwow]

heres something that will show alot of different ways to deform an object.. enjoy http://www2.zbrushcentral.com/zbc_uploads/user_image-1015196465dqb.jpg future sled.txt (http://www2.zbrushcentral.com/zbc_uploads/user_file-1015196502drq.txt)

[Mentat7]

Excellent!!!!!!!!!

[DeeVee]

This is a little script of how I do a quickie for rocks, coral and a host of other things, I hope you find it useful.[ http://www2.zbrushcentral.com/zbc_uploads/user_image-1015210255ycr.jpg
Test1.txt (http://www2.zbrushcentral.com/zbc_uploads/user_file-1015210355aas.txt)

[Mentat7]

OK...here are some more. Let's keep this thread alive. Here is a chest, an abdomen, and a pelvis - good starts for a bio-mechanical organism. All created within the deformations pallet. I will add more parts later. Please if anyone would like to add more do so. All contributions are greatly welcomed!!!

RoboChest.txt (http://www2.zbrushcentral.com/zbc_uploads/user_file-1015293141lrb.txt)
RoboAb.txt (http://www2.zbrushcentral.com/zbc_uploads/user_file-1015293160ccs.txt)
RoboPelvis.txt (http://www2.zbrushcentral.com/zbc_uploads/user_file-1015293175bqp.txt)

Here is a quickie image I made using the parts just to give.
http://www2.zbrushcentral.com/zbc_uploads/user_image-1015293401dzt.jpg

[Mentat7]

Come on everyone let's keep this going! I will have some more parts later this afternoon including some more headgear!

[Digits]

Here is my simple contribution a Grilled Sphere!

http://www.cyber-webs.com/zbrush/digits/grilledsphere.jpg

here is the script

grilledsphere.txt (http://www2.zbrushcentral.com/zbc_uploads/user_file-1015338563zhq.txt)

I have an idea Mentat, when you say the word everyone that wants to participate will make an image using all the parts posted here. Sound like fun?

[Mentat7]

That sounds like a good plan Digits! Kinda where I was headed with the robo stuff I think. Ok everybody. Let's get our tool shed workin hard makin them parts and then we will se what we can build from it all.

[Mentat7]

Here is the finished Robot Tool Kit. Note that there are no hands. I invite you to create whatever mechanical hooks, pinchers, or what have you to equip you robot with "hands".

1) RoboHeadRevA.txt (http://www2.zbrushcentral.com/zbc_uploads/user_file-1015649596mcc.txt)
2) RoboNeckGuard.txt (http://www2.zbrushcentral.com/zbc_uploads/user_file-1015649633unk.txt)
3)RoboChest.txt (http://www2.zbrushcentral.com/zbc_uploads/user_file-1015649657ysi.txt)
4) RoboPelvis.txt (http://www2.zbrushcentral.com/zbc_uploads/user_file-1015649694jhw.txt)
6) RoboAb.txt (http://www2.zbrushcentral.com/zbc_uploads/user_file-1015649718hph.txt)
7) RoboJointA.txt (http://www2.zbrushcentral.com/zbc_uploads/user_file-1015649780xtw.txt)
8) RoboJointB.txt (http://www2.zbrushcentral.com/zbc_uploads/user_file-1015649801jcc.txt)
9) RoboThighRevA.txt (http://www2.zbrushcentral.com/zbc_uploads/user_file-1015649825lrd.txt)
10) RoboFoot.txt (http://www2.zbrushcentral.com/zbc_uploads/user_file-1015649853xzw.txt)
11) RoboShin.txt (http://www2.zbrushcentral.com/zbc_uploads/user_file-1015649892xyv.txt)
12) RoboEyemap
http://www2.zbrushcentral.com/zbc_uploads/user_image-1015649984fjl.jpg

A couple of notes:
The RoboThigh is a bit funky. Run the script and then you can move the object around. If you try to draw another one it will go wacky. I will try to get this working more smoothly.

I originally made an eye script BUT the script does not record custom colors so it was useless. So I provided the next best thing...the actual eye map. Just grab it off the screen and convert it into a BMP or PSD file wrap it on a sphere in ZBrush and you'll be ready to go!

To create left and right body parts (arms, legs etc) just select the object and use the MIRROR command in the deformations pallet. Set it on XYZ.

If you have any problems with these scripts please let me know.

To finish your robot just add wires, tubes, various other doo-dads and voila! Instant mechanoid! I invite you all to make a bot! I will post my own shortly.
http://www2.zbrushcentral.com/zbc_uploads/user_image-1015650356cla.jpg

[Digits]

Here is my first inspiration using a couple of Mentat's tools and also trying a technique using alphas and stencils and using them as layer channels in PSP. Also thanks goes to Ed the Atom for his unfinished head.

http://www2.zbrushcentral.com/zbc_uploads/user_image-1015424834nld.jpg

A different version can be see here, I am not sure which one I like better.
Enigma 7 (http://www.renderosity.com/viewed.ez?galleryid=150694&Start=1&Sectionid=18&WhatsNew=Yes)

Thanks for viewing

[Ron Harris]

I like the one on yer gallery better though I like the eyes on this one better for some reason...they are both excellant images though :tu: :tu:

[Mentat7]

That is a very cool composition! I can see some of the robo pieces...I like the way you used them. They look completely different when used outside the Robot scheme. :tu:

[Pixolator]

Excellent idea Mentat! :)
I will post few basic ZScripts tonight.

[Gerlon]

YAAAAAYYYY!!!!! Pixolators gnna post up some z-scripts!!! party time!!! Hmmm... maybe the z-script to that motorcycle? :D :D :D

[drjjwow]

man i hope pixol is going to post some bike parts wowzer i can wait... party hardy is what ill do...also hang in there buddy the z will keep this thread alive.. ill try to post my beads later tonight or tomorrow...

[Pixolator]

Hi :),
Here are few ZProps (http://www.pixolator.com/zbc-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=1&t=000043) in ZScript format.
Click on icons to download ZScripts...
http://www2.zbrushcentral.com/zbc_uploads/user_image-1015586992wfe.jpg (http://www2.zbrushcentral.com/zbc_uploads/user_file-1015586965gok.zip) http://www2.zbrushcentral.com/zbc_uploads/user_image-1015587933hpl.jpg (http://www2.zbrushcentral.com/zbc_uploads/user_file-1015587919hsb.zip) http://www2.zbrushcentral.com/zbc_uploads/user_image-1015587693vqe.jpg (http://www2.zbrushcentral.com/zbc_uploads/user_file-1015587680aez.zip) http://www2.zbrushcentral.com/zbc_uploads/user_image-1015588161fpg.jpg (http://www2.zbrushcentral.com/zbc_uploads/user_file-1015588147pfm.zip)
http://www2.zbrushcentral.com/zbc_uploads/user_image-1015587273otn.jpg (http://www2.zbrushcentral.com/zbc_uploads/user_file-1015576950hdf.zip) http://www2.zbrushcentral.com/zbc_uploads/user_image-1015587167zah.jpg (http://www2.zbrushcentral.com/zbc_uploads/user_file-1015586129jsy.zip) http://www2.zbrushcentral.com/zbc_uploads/user_image-1015589335rxy.jpg (http://www2.zbrushcentral.com/zbc_uploads/user_file-1015589321rlq.zip) http://www2.zbrushcentral.com/zbc_uploads/user_image-1015587414mzz.jpg (http://www2.zbrushcentral.com/zbc_uploads/user_file-1015584768wmo.zip)

...and a Shark modeling recorded-session...

http://www2.zbrushcentral.com/zbc_uploads/user_image-1015600948tqk.jpg (http://www2.zbrushcentral.com/zbc_uploads/user_file-1015595635dxg.zip)

Note: The Shark model was created by utilizing an efficient modeling method. In this method, the modeling session starts with a low-resolution mesh (in this case HDivide=16 VDivide=17) that is used to ‘block’ the basic shape of the object and then; the mesh is subdivided and refined. The process of subdivide+refine is repeated as needed.
:b3: When modeling a low-res mesh, it is quite easy to see each of the polygons and be able to carefully shape the object by moving individual mesh points ( allows for better control over the resulting shape and distribution of polygons).

:b3: In order to clearly see individual polygons, PREFERENCES:QUICK 3D EDIT is turned on. This instructs ZBrush to draw the edited-object faceted (without any mesh-smoothing), at the end of the modeling session, the PREFERENCES:QUICK 3D EDIT is turned off (back to default state).

Gerlon and dr. jjwow: The wheel above is similar to the one used in the ZCycle image :)

-Pixolator

[Mentat7]

Thanks Pix!!! Some of those I recognize others are new to me. I will be looking over that shark script very closely! Who-wha!!!

[Mentat7]

Pix I just ran the shark script. A monstrous light bulb just went off in my head. I have never really grasped why one would want to model in a low poly mesh but after having seen your script in action and remembering what you said about blocking it out in low poly...everthing clicked! I can most certainly understand why this would be a prefered approach to many projects. Your words of wisdom are as always most generous and appreciated by all! I wouldn't be surprised if you start seeing fish pop up all over the forum! lol! Thank you so much!

[DLee]

Thanks Pix, much better than my poor shark ~G~

[WingedOne]

I'll have to take a look at these ZScripts when soon, especially the shark one. I don't have anything yet to contribute to this thread, but will when I get the chance.

[Mentat7]

By the way Pix...how do you do that "click on icon to download" thing? Is it HTML UBB code or what? Thanks!

[WingedOne]

I'm guessing it's standard HTML code.

For example:

(A HREF="www.blahblahblah.com/files/blah.zip")
(img src="images/blahblah.jpg")(/A)

Replace the parantheses with the corresponding left and right arrows.

I wasn't sure how else to make the source show up.

[Pixolator]

A ‘clickable’ icon in UBB…

<font color=#ffa000> </font>Address of the icon<font color=#ffa000> </font>

Example ...

<font color=#ffa000> </font>http://www.website.com/fileName.jpg<font color=#ffa000> </font>

[Mentat7]

So if we wanted to do that would we upload the file and image and then insert the code or does it need to come from an outside website?

[Kaluman]

hello to the communauty !

Since i know you read this post Pixo :) i want you to know that to me, Zbrush is a revolutionnary tool.
I only have praises for such an initiative :p

here is a Ztroll, use it anyways you want ...

http://www2.zbrushcentral.com/zbc_uploads/user_image-1015626175lgo.jpg

ztroll.zip (http://www2.zbrushcentral.com/zbc_uploads/user_file-1015626280prk.zip)

[Mentat7]

Thank you Kaluman! That is a very gracious gift you have donated to the Z-Tool Box!

[Mentat7]

Here is a Shield.txt (http://www2.zbrushcentral.com/zbc_uploads/user_file-1015700814met.txt) for the Tool Box.

http://www2.zbrushcentral.com/zbc_uploads/user_image-1015700901mex.jpg

[Gandalf]

Well I want to give my contribute to this post but with demo version i can't put my model :(, so i put some of my texture, I made it in .bmp format hoping it's right for import in Zbrush...
http://www2.zbrushcentral.com/zbc_uploads/user_image-1015702159zuw.jpg (http://www2.zbrushcentral.com/zbc_uploads/user_file-1015702028wse.zip)
<a href="http://www2.zbrushcentral.com/zbc_uploads/user_file-1015702136blg.zip">
http://www2.zbrushcentral.com/zbc_uploads/user_image-1015702239heh.jpg</a>

[LWTB]

Thanks a lot mentat for the excellent scripts!!! I will probably post something for the tool box sometime.

[Kaluman]

i will try that shield and this ground texture right now :p

[Gandalf]

Kaluman let me know if bmp format is right for import :)

[Kaluman]

working fine gandalf , playing with it now :)

[LWTB]

Heres my entry. Robo Shoulders. Top part is for neck.
Itll ask you to load a texture (sorry demo users, its the first time ive actually recorded a script and i forgot.). I think you can load anything you want and it will still work. I used a metal texture to make the shoulders metallic.In this pic they arent.
roboshoulders.txt (http://www2.zbrushcentral.com/zbc_uploads/user_file-1015707277ebe.txt)
http://www2.zbrushcentral.com/zbc_uploads/user_image-1015707297spa.jpg

[Mentat7]

Alright! Now that's what I like to see! Thank you for your contributions everyone. I was just thinking earlier too that textures would be a good thing for the Tool Box!

[LWTB]

Heres a simple candleholder. just download the tool. you should customize it to fit your needs.
http://www2.zbrushcentral.com/zbc_uploads/user_image-1016141274vtz.jpg candleholder.ZTL (http://www2.zbrushcentral.com/zbc_uploads/user_file-1016141285qid.ztl)

[[EA]Krippler]

i was playin around and i made a bat. then brought it into bryce for some other effects.

http://www2.zbrushcentral.com/zbc_uploads/user_image-1016249484hap.jpg

bat.txt (http://www2.zbrushcentral.com/zbc_uploads/user_file-1016249541ytu.txt)

[drjjwow]

that will go great with kathys baseball..ill have to did that out of the ztool library..

[juandel]

something botanical i did for DeeVee’s Palmtree contest (http://www.pixolator.com/zbc-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=1&t=004366&p=)

http://www.cyber-webs.com/zbrush/palmtoolpic.jpg

watch me create and spoil* a palmleaf: cocoscriptatool.txt (http://www.cyber-webs.com/zbrush/cocoscriptatool.txt)

* i suggest to stop the script in between and go on for yourself :)

- juandel

edit as per 03-20-02:

some more botanics:

http://www.cyber-webs.com/zbrush/palmleafya.jpg

and here is the tool: palmleaf.ztl (http://www.cyber-webs.com/zbrush/palmtreey.ztl) - sorry, demo-users, but the recorded script does something different... and sorry, Digits for wasting another 0.5mb on your server with this one! (in case you like it, Floyd, please feel free to add the tool to Z-place’s resoures page (http://www.cyber-webs.com/zbrush/Z-Tools.htm) !)

http://www.cyber-webs.com/zbrush/palmleafx.jpg

i just checked this script (http://www.cyber-webs.com/zbrush/palmleafx.txt) and it seems to run as recorded.

[Mentat7]

Thanks Krippler and Jaundel! Excellent additions to the Z-Tool Box!

[Mentat7]

Here is an ArmorChestPlate.txt (http://www2.zbrushcentral.com/zbc_uploads/user_file-1016769647abw.txt) script that I came up with. The interesting thing about it is the masking I used to create it. I believe there is one point in the script where it asks you to save the object. You can either save it or cancel it will not affect the script.

http://www2.zbrushcentral.com/zbc_uploads/user_image-1016769744xsj.jpg

[LWTB]

A simple sword.
I dont have the script cause i forget to end record but heres the tool. A multimarker polu mesh. ITs just one sword but i crossed em for some reason.
http://www2.zbrushcentral.com/zbc_uploads/user_image-1016856801xfn.jpg
well....it wonnt let me upload the tool since its 4 megabytes. ill try and zip it.

[DeeVee]

Nice tools, this thread is proving to be so useful. Thanks for starting it Mr.M7

[Mentat7]

Here is a script for some teeth with some mass. I have been using about four different methods for creating teeth (sculpting individual teeth and placing them in the gums, the Pixolator Method, importing Poser teeth, and the freehand half-torus sculpting metod presented here and coincidentally Southern has a tutorial for this method on his site which I just saw this morning after being up half the night making teeth...doh!). This is probably the easiest method of the four. It also allows easier recording of the script. These teeth have quite a bit more mass to them than what you have probably seen in the past...I like my chompers to have a feeling of size to them. They were designed to be bottom teeth but you can easily tweak them and use them as top teeth too. I will be using these (or something very similar) in my Blue Meanies project.


http://www2.zbrushcentral.com/zbc_uploads/user_image-1016986577swh.jpg
Teeth Bottom revised.txt (http://www2.zbrushcentral.com/zbc_uploads/user_file-1017010875ytt.txt) (REVISED)

[thelonious]

this is a simple but strange tool.

It goes in on both sides which gives it a strange quality

http://www2.zbrushcentral.com/zbc_uploads/user_image-1017005162aeg.jpg
weird.txt (http://www2.zbrushcentral.com/zbc_uploads/user_file-1017005211zjq.txt)

[banez]

mentat7 about your teeth ZScript Go Here http://www.pixolator.com/zbc-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=1&t=004532

[Mentat7]

Thanks EZ. I didn't realize it was causing a problem. I ran the script and saw it minimize the window. I just maximized it again and it kept running fine with no problems. I don't know why it does that. It happens quite often when I am recording scripts but I am not minimizing the window- it just does it by itself. Any explanation?

[diana]

Sorry, I don't record scripts but I do save some of my tools. Here's a few.

http://users2.ev1.net/~dctodd/ztools01/sheet.gif

Visit my web site (http://users2.ev1.net/~dctodd/ztools01/) to download those you like.

[Mentat7]

Thanks Diana!

[Houdini]

http://www2.zbrushcentral.com/zbc_uploads/user_image-1017138712aqn.jpg

Here is the tool... (After loading the tool into I sugest you to use divide so the texture fits well)
redfishtool.ZTL (http://www2.zbrushcentral.com/zbc_uploads/user_file-1017138853kzu.ztl)

...and the texture! (as you can see the texture is in .jpg type, so you have to conv ert it to .psd or .bmp.)
http://www2.zbrushcentral.com/zbc_uploads/user_image-1017139039jcu.jpg

[juandel]

WOW! i missed great additions! these look awesome, ZB’s! :cool:

here is a trial and error way to create the rare "Six-eyed Hollowback" (http://www.cyber-webs.com/zbrush/butterfliy.txt) of the zanadu-jungles with a lil help of the circle3d-tool and a few modifications in the transform-palette :D

http://www.cyber-webs.com/zbrush/buttertool.jpg

- juandel

[Mentat7]

Thanks for the contribution Jaundel. That is a very cool butterfly script!