Building a ZBrush Machaneek.....(Beware.lots of images!!!!!)

[s o u t h e r n]

Over recent weeks I have been building a mechanical man in ZBrush. I started with a lot of concept artwork using paper and ink (my prefered medium until the new Wacom arrived earlier this week). I will post some of the images in this thread over coming days to show you how I take an image from concept to completion.

Anyone with any questions please feel free to ask.

1. Early concept art

http://www.southerngfx.co.uk/graphics/gfx1a/gfx-robot1/img2.jpg

http://www.southerngfx.co.uk/graphics/gfx1a/gfx-robot1/img3.jpg

http://www.southerngfx.co.uk/graphics/gfx1a/gfx-robot1/img4.jpg

Then to start building body parts and testing the first materials. I made all the parts using default tools and `shaping them to fit/. I used a lot of my own alpha brushes
to get plates and panel indentations. The textures were all drawn in Photoshop.

http://www.southerngfx.co.uk/graphics/gfx1a/gfx-robot1/img5.jpg

http://www.southerngfx.co.uk/graphics/gfx1a/gfx-robot1/img10.jpg

http://www.southerngfx.co.uk/graphics/gfx1a/gfx-robot1/img8.jpg

I was really pleased with the metals that I created for these images. More to follow shortly.


S O U T H E R N (http://www.southerngfx.co.uk)
http://www2.zbrushcentral.com/zbc_uploads/user_image-987855987hvo.jpg

[CDEdwards]

Truly unZlievable Southern. :)

[Kaz]

So, how much do you "Pollymesh" together, before assembly? Do you have any "Spare Parts" that you have created in the past that you can re-use?

On that subject, I think a "Junk Yard" would be cool on this forum. People can upload any old model in one location for all to pillage. One man's junk...
Any interst? Any copywrite issues? Just a thought.

BTW, this looks great.
-kaz

[Digits]

Fasinating, thanks for letting us peek under the hood. Look forward to seeing the rest.

Yah, the metal material you use is perfect

[Nikko]

VERY cool, Southern! :cool: You come up with consistently greater and greater images and it's really cool that you are willing to share the creative process with the rest of us. I can't wait to see this one come to fruition.

[upham]

W-O-W!! Thats amazzing southern!
(actually I said a non-publishable word when I first saw this). :D

This picture looks really great! Its going to be great when finished.

Great! Good stuff!
(now get back to work!)
Upham

[s o u t h e r n]

Hi all,

Kaz. No polymesh at all in this image. I build hundreds of part with the default tools and save them. I have every tool I have ever built here on the network. When 1.23 is released I will give `em all away on my site.

Having a ZTool depository is great. HOWEVER....when 1.23 is out I can just send you all the SCRIPT that will make the models for you ...

How cool and quick to download will that be. SOUTHERN...make me a wheel..ok, heres the scripts..Badabing badabong.done!!!

Copyright!!!! My moto, If you post tools, they are freeware. `nuf said. I post here to get and give help and support to like minded graphic-addicts. It`s a form a councilling :)

http://www.southerngfx.co.uk/graphics/gfx1a/gfx-robot2/img1.jpg

http://www.southerngfx.co.uk/graphics/gfx1a/gfx-robot2/img2.jpg

[Kathy]

*groveling on floor*

I am not worthy. I am not worthy. I am not worthy.

:D Excellent.

[Dragon]

Hi Southern,

Listen, you have to make a video series. You know, like the LightWave and 3DStudio Max series. I'll tell ya what, if you did so, I would be one of the first to buy.

Why don't you and Pixolator get together and make some video training tapes?

What does everyone else think?

[Nikko]

Dragon, that's a very good idea. A nice, thick book would be another great tool in our instructional arsenal as well.

[Dragon]

Hi Nikko,

I highly agree with you. I believe (as I am sure you do as well), that ZBrush has been around long enough and is catching on more and more, that a video series and a nice thick 'how to' book (like the WOW series for Photoshop) are about due.

I am reading more and more on ZBrush every month on the net and in magazines. I think, it is about time we ZB's have our own book on the shelfs (video tape purchased via the internet).

[Bob G.]

WOW!!!!!!!!
Awesume!!!
Now, if I can only get thru my tutorial?
Hmmmmmmm!
Bob G.

[Lockdown]

*whimpers* dang it...I hate being the only one who's not very exciting with Z-Brush :mad: , Southern, you've gone and hurt my morale lol. A good friend of mine loves to draw beast from your worst nightmares and the all look REAL for just being pen an ink drawings...now you've done the same only with Z-Brush! It's crazy! :eek: I should hook her up with the demo and see what she can do. Again beautiful work southern, I think i speak for all when you give us a large amount of inspiration! :p

[s o u t h e r n]

Thanks for the nice comments everyone. I have around 40 versions of this guy now and most of the above has been scrapped. This next set was much improved and added more realism (i thought). I wanted to get the `Hammerstein` feel if any of you are familiar with the olf 2000ad comics and Judge Dredd. I stress, however, I didn`t use any reference material other that photos of people for these images. See what you think.

http://www.southerngfx.co.uk/graphics/gfx1a/gfx-robot2/img5.jpg

http://www.southerngfx.co.uk/graphics/gfx1a/gfx-robot2/img8.jpg

http://www.southerngfx.co.uk/graphics/gfx1a/gfx-robot2/img10.jpg


S O U T H E R N (http://www.southerngfx.co.uk)
http://www2.zbrushcentral.com/zbc_uploads/user_image-987855987hvo.jpg

[william]

Wow!! All of your work is so good. Its a real pleasure to see the level of all of your work. Thanks for being so sharing.

[Digits]

Just downright, unalterated awesome Southern.

[davey]

Southern,

Your work is so evokative, it inspires us; but it's so good it intimidates us.

I wanted to try making some "early concept art" like you do, so I went out and bought a Graphite Renderer (Eberhard Faber version 2.0). My problem is, I can't get it to render anything beyond scrawls and stick figures. Am I doing something wrong?

dave

[TLFPoet]

Southern you always seem to amaze me. Wonder if I could spend a day peering over your shoulder while you work? Best education anyone could ask for if you ask me.

[Stevie Render]

Southern man,
You are taking us and ZBrush to a new level. Putting your ideas on display and making the rest of us drool all over our keyboard.... shame on ya!
THE EYES OF THE "PIXOLATOR" ZEES ALL.
I would love to have a book for reference . Who knows what happened to the good stuff I printed out and filed.

Great work!

[juandel]

--- speechless, once more...! :D

[s o u t h e r n]

Everone seems to like this robo-guy. What should I do with him? More images tonight.

S
http://www.southerngfx.co.uk/zbrush/Pixolator/img21.jpg

[Le Discot]

Hey man!

Wonderfull job!!!
A very big progress man!!!
I'm so impressive!!!

See you soon on ZB Central...
I'm back.


Olivier.

[Acacia22]

Man, that is realy cool!!!
I noticed the Mechaneek character is being built in pieces, then assembled-I'm completely new to this and this may sound like a silly question, but how is it possible to move around and assemble seperate objects in Z? I thought once an object was left for a new one, there was no way of going back and moving, rotating, scaling, editing the old.
Is the assembly done in Photoshop after the parts are drawn in Z? :D

[upham]

Hey, welcome back Le Discot! We havn't seen you around for ages! Are you still ZBrushing? Have you done anything new lately?
People are still talking about your work and making referances to your webpage, especially your last image, the Tarzan picture.
:)
Hope to see you around more often!
Upham

[s o u t h e r n]

Hi,

All the pieces are built and textured then placed into the document. It`s all done in ZBrush (except for the odd lens flare or text addition. Just start with a few bits and keep adding. A good idea is to import a sketch into a back layer like a blue print, it helps you position everything.

Have a go,

S

[Muvlo]

These are a lot of really, really good images, Southern! :eek: :) Not to mention amazing examples of the control you have over ZBrush (or it over you?), and being creative, and inspiring.