Newbie adventures in ZSphere Land:

[jim coe]

Thanks for all the help in learning! :D
121 appreciated.
http://wellmadewebs.com/public/atmo/modeling/shipa/shipa-pm-4view64.jpg

http://wellmadewebs.com/public/atmo/modeling/shipa/shipa-body-sculpt64.jpg

http://wellmadewebs.com/public/atmo/modeling/shipa/shipa-wing-sculpt64.jpg

Thanks to the great manual, ZScripts, tutorials and help here, have now learned to use ZSphere attractors for amazing control of ZSphere deformation.

Also succeeded in adaptive skinning and marking of 3 objects (in 3 layers) and using the Multimarker tool to combine them and create a polymesh.

My plan is to get control of sculpting first, then starting on detailing with stencils, selections, etc. Then on to materials and textures and finally going for low poly 3D models.

The actual model is no big deal, just something simple i did quickly to learn with.

ZBrush is Big Fun!

[matvara]

Hi jim coe!
You have suceeded in bringing out your idea with zspheres. I can't wait to see it fully textured and complete. I am a very big fan of spaceships! ;)

[ambient-whisper]

here you are, new to zbrush and already using the more advanced tools for zspheres and i dont even know how to make those grey spheres yet haha.

[andreseloy]

Congratulations Jim Coe for your nice post and I agree with previous comments.

[jim coe]

Thanks ZBfolk!

But now i'm stuck. I'd like to deform and texture an area of the body as a "****pit canopy + door frame" and also, if not too difficult, make that transparent with a bit of detail inside.

How to proceed?
1. Scoop that area out and make a new model to fit into the hole? Then i have to model a transparent canopy that exactly fits? Sounds very tough.

Or

2. Make a B&W 2D canopy (top view) in Photoshop and use it as an alpha mask, then inflate or deflate and invert to paint the canopy some different material/color? How big would this have to be in pixel dimensions? Bigger than the whole model? Or only bigger than the canopy? Not as detailed as a ****pit model, but much easier.

Then:
To add details, like access panel outlines, etc. i guess i could use the methods of the "Engrave" script? And i suppose this is also how you wrap text (serial numbers, etc.) on a model, but without the engraving depth?

Thanks for the continuing help!
At this rate, i'll have to drop the "newbie" label pretty soon, lol.

[Stonecutter]

http://www.pixolator.com/zbc-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=1&t=002644

This is a link to a script giving a basic tutorial on using the graph functions in ZBrush to create transparency and reflections, Jim...This might give you some ideas! ;)

Some nice work! Looks like you have the idea with the attractor spheres... :cool:

As far as your question, I think making an additional model for the ****pit on another layer, and applying the principles of the tutorial on the thread above should work...

[jim coe]

Many thanks Stonecutter!

Wow, what a great community!
Not only do i get quick and credible answers to my every question, but a constant stream of tutorial scripts to train me.

It doesn't get much better than this!

Looking forward to the day when i know enough to add to the great resources here.