ZClassroom

[Martin@PIXOLOGIC]

zclassroom_banner.jpg (http://www.pixologic.com/zclassroom/homeroom/)

Welcome to the ZClassroom thread!

Here at Pixologic we are deeply dedicated to helping all of our users grow as artists.
This is why you will find hours of ZBrush training videos in the ZClassroom. Videos that
will introduce you the fundamentals of ZBrush and take you on to more advanced techniques.


The purpose of this thread is for the following.



Posting questions and comments related to the videos in the ZClassroom.
Posting suggestions for videos you would like to see added to the ZClassroom.
Please do not post any technical support questions in this thread,
as it is for ZClassroom related discussion only!


I am looking forward to hearing from each of you, as well as helping
all of you grow as ZBrush artists.

Regards,

[Ravis3057]

This is a great idea!! I am subscribing to this post, so I can see how this thread evolves. I look forward to the responses!

[Piggy]

going to subscribe to this thread :D looking forward to see how this thread will evolve..

on the suggestion side, it would really be helpful if zclassroom can include a tutorial on how to handle skin pores and wrinkles .... i tried to find tutorials about that for ages but can only find handful of those... :C

[Polygnome]

being a beginner in zbrush I could only dream about a thread like this haha. Subscribing.:lol:

[The Namek]

I coulda sworn I saw an explanation about skin pores once, using the noise function and masking.

[abe_Tamazir]

Same here!
should be an interesting thread :)

[thedust]

Hello,
until now I've found all the video produced by You, Pixologic, very useful and clear like ZSpheres2 and the new Noise function.
The other videos are good too, I like the wide variety of arguments: from architecture in ZB to sculpting for 3D printing to tips from veterans! :tu:
The only sad point is we are still waiting for the three COMING SOON videos, personally, I'm waiting for the Steve Jubinville's Harvester of Doom: my suggestion is to put link to video that can be watched, so no more COMING SOON!
You can use this great forum to tell us if new videos are available or sending us an email You have: there's no need to have a COMING SOON to make us checking Your site and finding nothing new!
I've lost faith after a while, I know artists are busy, I know knowledge has a price (they could sell it instead of sharing freely), but if You say there will be something, it will be! Or just delete them and it should be fine.
Anyway, thanks for Your efforts. :D
A (no more crying) baby.

[loki_22]

tx martin. i ended up wording what i had asked ya bout wrong. what im kinda looking for is applying an alpha to a mesh or part of a mesh that allows you to create the thread of cloth. it would be like applying the alpha globally. so it appears uniform. ive seen alot of people do it but have no idea how to go about it. http://www.zbrushcentral.com/showthread.php?t=086033 its the first head image that im kinda pointing out. tx a ton for any help!

[tumblefatboy]

I would like to suggest more environment and texturing Tutorials in relation to games please. There are a few for rock face and surface tiles, most note worthy being the Uncharted 2 thread

http://www.zbrushcentral.com/showthread.php?t=79141&page=10&pp=15

And some of the work of Kevin Johnstone for GOW

http://www.zbrushcentral.com/showthread.php?t=069232

And the Zclassroom Sebastien Legrain Architecture creation but I would like to see much more please.

Might I even suggest that ZbrushCentral could have its own Environment Art section?

Thanks for all the great work this forum just gets better and better....

[MASTERSHOKHAN]

I would like to see a series of videos going over brushes. I still don't know what the elastic brush is good for. Most of us use 3 or 4 brushes because we don't know what the benefit of each brush is. Why use Magnify over inflate? That kind of stuff.

Also, the new folks( anybody after 2.0 ) have no clue what Projection master can do or when it's best to use it. They need to be brought up to speed.:D

[Martin@PIXOLOGIC]

I would like to see a series of videos going over brushes. I still don't know what the elastic brush is good for. Most of us use 3 or 4 brushes because we don't know what the benefit of each brush is. Why use Magnify over inflate? That kind of stuff.

Also, the new folks( anybody after 2.0 ) have no clue what Projection master can do or when it's best to use it. They need to be brought up to speed.:DThere is already a great tutorial on Projection Master in the ZClassroom by artist Sebastien Legrain. You should watch it to learn more about how Projection Master will allow you to precisely place sculpting data exactly where you want it. Sebastien has used these techniques over and over on his production work.

[dsoellbuster]

Hey Martin,

great idea for a thread! I'll be watching this!
The one thing i'd like to see is a short tutorial about the Boolean operations. It's still a little bit hard for me to figure out the order of the subtools, so that the operation works the way i want to. Now i believe that the Booleans will get a makeover in ZB 4, so if that's the case *hint *hint, don't bother, i'll be waiting for Z4 then :D

[G_I_B_B_O_N]

I'll be subscribing as well. I look forward to learning new techniques and styles of execution.

[Ardox]

Pixologic
LIKE NO OTHER!

[rolilli]

Subscribing to the tread :tu:

[sadicus]

Workflow Tutorials - Keep updated videos for new ZB release
The awesome power of the ZB3.5r2 Kraken is released and most current workflow has changed!

For example Zmapper. Whether or not the new way of creating Norm Maps works better, it was a cool program! moving the light around, exploded view. AND the vids I paid for to learn how to get maps out of it to work in Maya!
(Thanks Scott Spencer!)

ZB to x program
:b3: So I would like to see people I trust explain the NEW WAY to do what we spent so many hours learning to do before!

...and as thedust stated: the three COMING SOON videos

Great work Pixologic!

[Etcher]

:cool: :tu: :tu: :tu: :tu: :tu: !

[MASTERSHOKHAN]

I have seen it. I have been here since 1.5b. I was speaking for the new zbrushers. It is a great tutorial, but it only covers Arch. Can't we have more than one video on such a robust/ under appreciated subject?;)

[polyxo]

Hi Martin,
With the recent additions which expose more and more Hardsurface-Mechanical-Modeling capabilies Zbrush gets increasingly interesting as as a conceptual tool for Industrial Design. These additions are actually the reason why I bought the program. I personaly would love to see Tutorials which further extend in the direction the Pixolatators Car in the 3.5R3 announcement-video and also the recent Watch-Animation pointed out. Yes, I am absolutely aware that guys like me do only represent a probably vanishing small user-group - but you asked for suggestions - so here it goes :)





best Geometry-Exchange with Programs which write non Subdivision-optimized meshes
getting the most out of a less than ideal topology while avoiding manual Retopo (Product Design typically don't have High Frequency Detail and don't need clean/animatable Topology - output gets reverse-engineered in Nurbs anyway)
Getting the most out of the automatic remeshing on Meshes with uneven distribution and Quad/Tri-Mix Topology
smart Use of the Boolean-Subtool-Options
loading/repairing/editing of Scanmeshes
working with precision (smart use of Markers and Image-Planes)

[Dmacary]

I'd like to see a tutorial on using Image Plane for realistic Head Modeling and an update on those COMING SOONS or just take'em down.

[Martin@PIXOLOGIC]

ZClassroom was relaunched with a whole new format today!



New Player
New Videos
New ZBrush Webcast series


And there are many more videos in the works!

[invertedNormal]

heya Pixo team

love the ZClassroom

i would, however, love to see you all navigate away from Flash powered stuff... i hear html 5 is on the rise...

video tutorial suggestion- i'd like to see some videos which go menu by menu, explaining each and every item in all the menus without skipping over a single button. some of the buttons don't have tips when hovering with Cmd/Ctrl pressed.

[Piggy]

lol and there is a new tutorial that covers skin pores from today's update... talk about fast...

THANK YOU for the new tutorials!

[Comrade420]

Thankyou zbrush, Hopefully you could get those tutorials that have the title, of coming soon, actually come soon, but other than that, awesome job.

[mykyl]

Any chance the subscription service can be extended so that folks from outside the US can subscribe? ;)

Please don't do an Apple and treat your non US customers as a little less important. :D (Joking)

Mike

[Faber Draconis]

I´d like to see themes bundled, ie masking:
simple masking by ctrl, then the maskingoptions inside the brushmenu, then masking by cavity and so on.
One way could be a searchoption to resolve this.

And I support those request to get every button explained.

I also like to see a tut about all these brushmodifiers. It´s not obvious what they do and where´s the point on the scale when the effect changes.
K, I can try it with every brush and make some memos, but I´d like to get an idea whats going on behind.

[xeno3d]

Awesome!

[canndis]

There should be an option to thank the artist who make these awesome videos specially Joseph Drust for his new contribution.

@Martin If you are reading this a small request. Can we have a interview with the makers of zbrush , the guys who actually code the software.

[andreseloy]

Great idea as always!
Where i have to install the GoZ plugin?
Thanks in advance

ps:opps, i was searching the forum and i have the impression that GoZ is only actually for MAC?is right?

[EricShawn]

I really like the new Zbrush Tutorials section layout and the new tutorial videos. Well done! :tu:

[thedust]

AHAHAH!!!
I knew You had something planned in Your head and wanted to know what Your artists thought about!
That is very professional!
Anyway, just finished Joseph Drust's webcast about ZBrush->Game engine workflow and I found it so useful I cannot still believe he made all the thing in less than hour while he was speaking too and with just the tools ZBrush has!!!
Thanks to mr. Drust and thanks to You, Pixologic, for renewing my thirst of knowledge!

[WailingMonkey]

hmmm...are all the videos even there in the classroom?

seems vid 7 of the Cesar Dacol Jr. is missing, as well as the Planar brush
'snap to track'...

[Silkcats]

Great Videos guys!! :)
It would be grat to have a video explaining ZBrush Layers in Depth


Cheers!
Silkcats.

[hoskins78]

Hi everyone, I'm just starting out with z-brush and am going to start now at the very beginning with the introductory videos. I like the new look of everything here - some cool changes since my free trial days ;)

I've previously worked with Poser, Bryce and Vue, but now I want to grow, and get my teeth into creating my own image content.

This forum is a great idea, I'll definitely subscribe to the thread too.

[Sigmund Hentze]

Any videos on all the different maps one can create? or have i missed it?

I currently use ZBrush with Modo and my head is spinning....

Ziggy

[Sigmund Hentze]

Sat till early hours watching the video... they are great and ZBrush even greater, specially when things start coming together... these video will convert a few friends to ZBrush, they always say "it has a heavy learning curve" well you've changed that now....

Thanks Ziggy

PS. Like the short and sweet ones, no art demos just pure ZBrush techniques and tools....

[dustbin1_uk]

just convinced a friend of mine to try out ZBrush. An I gotta tell ya, these tutorials are a real life saver!!!

I envy new ZB users. you have so much more than I did when I was a confused noob.

Now I'm just a reborn noob. (been a while since I picked up a graphics pen :rolleyes:)

Thank you Pixologic! these vids are really helpful for both new and old users! :tu:

[manzarek123]

Ohhhhh!!!, the new zclasroom is great!! so in order and all, thanks a lot Martin and Pixologic :).

[Martin@PIXOLOGIC]

Recently a user asked:
"Are there any tutorials on the use of PaintStop"

Specifically there are no tutorials on PaintStop. This is basically because
the use and functions of PaintStop is incredibly simple.

PaintStop will configures your user interface and settings to give you
the true to life feel of using real world art tools. Like oil, acrylic, watercolor...

You can download the PaintStop "User Guide (http://www.pixologic.com/zbrush/downloadcenter/zplugins/)" to learn all about the tools and
settings from the plugin download (http://www.pixologic.com/zbrush/downloadcenter/zplugins/) page here at Pixologic.

Also, I recommend visiting the PaintStop thread (http://www.zbrushcentral.com/showthread.php?t=073619) here at ZBrushCentral, to
see many fantastic works created by ZBrush artists using PaintStop.
-----------------

I did create a quick tip for moving your strokes around PaintStop though...
Here it is again.

Did you know that you can move, scale, rotate and even duplicate a stroke
after you draw it to your canvas? Well you can!

After you draw a stroke press "W" to move it, "E" to scale it, and "R" to rotate.

To duplicate a stroke press shift+S

If you want to move, scale, rotate, and duplicate more then one stroke at a time,
hold down the "ctrl key" while you draw each stroke. You will then be able to manipulate them all together.

BwD-L56kGPo

[dustbin1_uk]

Ha! That's a great tip! I never thought that the 2.5d manipulation could be used in paintstop! 'spose it was obvious when you think about it. But again great tip!

My firend mentioned that he's come to the end of the beginner lessons here (http://www.pixologic.com/zclassroom/homeroom/tutorial.php?lesson=beginner)
Are there to be more videos posted in this section?

[Martin@PIXOLOGIC]

My firend mentioned that he's come to the end of the beginner lessons here (http://www.pixologic.com/zclassroom/homeroom/tutorial.php?lesson=beginner)
Are there to be more videos posted in this section?Yes you can expect to see many more videos added to the beginners section as well as other areas of ZClassroom.

[hoskins78]

Just felt the urge to pop back and say how impressed I am with these tutorials :D

I've only covered the first 4 categories of the Getting Started videos, and was amazed to find myself modelling full (if simple) figures already. Fantastic!

I had a small problem during the Alien Helmet tutorial, as I saved out my tool and reloaded it without clicking to make it a Polymesh3D before continuing to work. I then had a different set of Geometry options in the Tool palette when it came to setting up my Polygroup Loops....which had me puzzled for a while. But now I've discovered my error, and can't wait to learn more.

[axisis]

These tutorials are pretty informative and useful The webcasts are particularly great aswell as the concept car tutorial (what was the artists name btw?) you've done a good job martin.

There was a video that showed "concept sculpting" in the next step video. That method of sculpting looks pretty cool especially for those of us who have detailed sketches that we've scaned or made in photoshop.

I think that it would be really worth it if you could show us how to go about that kind of workflow and how the guy used the projection master in that way.

Thanks alot

[dsoellbuster]

The artist's name is the almighty Pixolator aka Ofer Alon aka the brain, heart and soul of ZBrush. If you check out the ZB4 preview videos you can see more of his amazing work.

[dustbin1_uk]

Woah! Just been watching some of the webcast videos!

highly recommended!!! :tu::tu:

EDIT: Oh and I already own a copy of Introducing ZBrush from Eric Keller (2nd webcast) and although things have moved on a tad (now 3.5r3 is out) I still highly recommend it!

[dustbin1_uk]

See the latest uploads at the top, does anyone know how to find out what series they belong to?

where.jpg (http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:zb_insimg%28%27195337%27,%27where.jpg%27,1,0% 29)

[mazz423]

if you click on it, it'll just take you right to it

[Martin@PIXOLOGIC]

See the latest uploads at the top, does anyone know how to find out what series they belong to?
To play the videos at the top of the ZClassroom, simply click on the image.
These videos do not belong to any of the series you see below the images.
They are just a random collection for tips and tricks.

[dustbin1_uk]

Ah! Ok! As long as I'm not missing anything. :D

I take it when the next lot of videos go up, these will be accessible somewhere else?

[hosch]

Thanks

[Moni-Poroni]

Fantastic new videos and the new look of the ZClassroom is really cool!

[hoskins78]

Hi, I'm following through the Concept Car video and have got as far as producing my Unified Skin, but the ZProject elements have me a little confused. It seems like a great concept and seems to occur in the demo with just a few clicks of the mouse, but I'm finding it hard to follow.
Does anyone know of a tutorial that covers the basics of ZProject, so that I can fully understand how it works, before applying it here?

[jamesthiago]

With the Mac & Windows versions not being equal, I end up searching for tools that are in some tutorials that don't even exist in the mac environment yet. It would help if the video descriptions included what version it was produced with. Then I know if I'm wasting my time.
James

[hoskins78]

After some further trial and error (many many errors lol) I figured out why the ZProject brush wasn't working for me - I had failed to select the little brush icon in the SubTool window.
Much happier now :D

[Martin@PIXOLOGIC]

ZBrush Webcast with Michael Defeo
Techniques for Sculpting Hair and Fur

michael_defeo.jpg (http://www.pixologic.com/zclassroom/homeroom/tutorial.php?lesson=webcast)

[canndis]

Awesome Thanks

[-Storm-]

Great man, lovely to see how he does it. Might have to try out that method :D

[pOiNtPuShEr]

This dude was my supervisor for 11 years. He's an amazing sculptor both digitally and physically. Go Mike!

[dustbin1_uk]

Oh! YES!!! Now I'm excited!

Thank you pixologic and Michael Defeo!!

EDIT:
Yup just watched it! amazing tips there! So simple when you know how, but MAN!!! that hair creating method is effective!

Thanks!! :tu:

Can you please link us to the online course Michael is offering?

[bomoh]

Great stuff ! A big thank you to Michael and Pixologic ! :tu:

[Martin@PIXOLOGIC]

Creating Tileable Textures and Normal Maps

tileable.jpg (http://www.pixologic.com/zclassroom/homeroom/)

[axisis]

Very informative tutorial, nice to see one that goes over a bit in working with 2.5D mode

Good Job Martin

[bomoh]

Always good to hear those Propellerhead beats :) ! Thanks for this amazing lesson Pixologic. I m sure that a lot of people will find it very helpfull!

[lemonnado]

The -1 pixel does not get rid of the seam in the normal map.
Ahhh the joys of the seamless border enigma... coming up regularly since... ages... :D
Lemo

[Bas Mazur]

Normalmap-material? Also for 3.2 users? Where to find it?

[Martin@PIXOLOGIC]

The -1 pixel does not get rid of the seam in the normal map.
Ahhh the joys of the seamless border enigma... coming up regularly since... ages... :D
LemoWhen working with seamless textures each software will handle
things a bit different. This is why at minute 19 in the video I discuss
removing a pixel from the top and side of your texture and normal map.

Depending pending on what 3D software you will be applying this texture
in, you may only need to remove a single pixel from the top and not the side.

Give it a try.

[pOiNtPuShEr]

Great tutorial, please keep them coming!

[Martin@PIXOLOGIC]

Normalmap-material? Also for 3.2 users? Where to find it?If you don't see the normal map material in your material pop up,
then you can search for it in your material folder. And if for some
reason you don't find it there, then feel free to download it HERE (http://tinyurl.com/normalmat)

normal.jpg (http://tinyurl.com/normalmat)

[Bas Mazur]

Thanx Martin :tu:

[canndis]

Is it just me ? I can't see the new tutorial here http://www.pixologic.com/zclassroom/homeroom/ , Where do I find it ?

[Bas Mazur]

there it is

[giles]

Is it just me ? I can't see the new tutorial here http://www.pixologic.com/zclassroom/homeroom/ , Where do I find it ?Hey -- that got me too, :confused:

From what I can tell you can click and drag to move through the image list. Also seems there's an invisible hit area of about 100 px on each side that you can click to cycle back and forth. Hope that helps.

[Martin@PIXOLOGIC]

ZBrush Webcast with Jesse Sandifer (Sculpting with layers)

jesse_sandifer_1.jpg (http://www.pixologic.com/zclassroom/homeroom/tutorial.php?lesson=webcast)

[bomoh]

Thank you Matin !!!

[Stephen Babb]

Is there a way to paint with layers?

[ByteDreams]

thank you for creating this forum! i see i am 3 weeks behind already. need to catch up! Subscribing!

[dustbin1_uk]

Rock on Jesse! Great tips and tricks on the layers!!!

[hoskins78]

Definitely :D great techniques I can't wait to try!

[semimoto]

hi,
and thanks for the videos they all help.
i have wasted an assload of money on zbrush dvd's and books, they were alright but i get more from the classroom portal here at Zcentral,one question though, it would help me as a semi noob, if you would once in a while take a video like the concept car and slow it down-describe the actions , such as ) click on such and such-activate bla bla bla, i know all this is covered individually in other vids but it would help someone like me to go step by step in the creation of something like the C car,i cant remember every process that i see in the vids so when i hear do this or that ( unless i have done the tutorial several times) i have to go back and forth between them , very tedious.
im sure most of the artists here would be bored to tears w/ rehashing every detail but it is just a thought,
semimoto

[Martin@PIXOLOGIC]

it would help me as a semi noob, if you would once in a while take a video like the concept car and slow it down-describe the actions , such as ) click on such and such-activate bla bla bla, i know all this is covered individually in other vids but it would help someone like me to go step by step in the creation of something like the C car,i cant remember every process that i see in the vids so when i hear do this or that ( unless i have done the tutorial several times) i have to go back and forth between them , very tedious.
im sure most of the artists here would be bored to tears w/ rehashing every detail but it is just a thought,
semimotoThank you for your suggestion.
The way people learn and absorb information is always unique to each
individual. I have always found this fascinating. Because of this fact, I
make sure the ZClassroom has a good balance of training videos. Some
that take the time to explain every single detail step by step, and others
that take you through a major project quickly.

For those of you who take the time to watch the "step by step" videos,
you will surely build a strong understanding of ZBrush and its features,
helping you become an even better artist. And for those of you who are
watching the advanced videos, not to worry, everything you need to fully
understand all the features covered in those videos and first taught in the
"step by step" training. But if you still have a question, don't hesitate to
post it here or click on the "Questions" button inside the ZClassroom.;)

[Xeeman]

Are there any plans to have the tutorial video's as standalone downloads? For what ever reason the routing between the video servers and me are terrible. Takes close to 2 hours just for one video to finish buffering. Doesn't help that I have an awful memory and wanting to go back and review something I can't quite remember from one video makes me want to pull my hair out.

Great tutorials though (when I can watch them)

[SadamHu]

Quote Xeeman - "Are there any plans to have the tutorial video's as
standalone downloads? Takes close to 2 hours just for one video to finish buffering."

Same as me and I'm sure some of the other people in the world. Although I'm
not exactly 2 hours to buffer, but it feels like it. HAHAHA!

[hoskins78]

Hi, now that I've got an overall idea of the scope of ZBrush and it's ability to sculpt and detail all manner of different forms, I wonder if there might be a tutorial in the pipeline dealing with the actual setup and output of a high quality rendered image of our modelled and textured work.

I've seen many wonderful images that claim to be rendered solely within ZBrush itself, but while I see that there are Render and Light palettes on the top menu bar, which allow us to change the appearance and quality of the image on screen, I've not seen any options for saving that image out to file for posting in the forums or just for reference. This must be pretty basic stuff as everyone else seems to manage perfectly well, but as a newcomer to ZBrush I'm not finding the options for all this that I might have expected to see. The Movie palette looks similarly interesting. it would be great to have some quick guidance to what can be done with these settings.

[Richard Marklew]

Are there any plans to have the tutorial video's as standalone downloads? For what ever reason the routing between the video servers and me are terrible. Takes close to 2 hours just for one video to finish buffering. Doesn't help that I have an awful memory and wanting to go back and review something I can't quite remember from one video makes me want to pull my hair out.

Great tutorials though (when I can watch them)
If you use Firefox there are numerous plugins that enable you to download embedded video, including that in the zclassroom. Many of the videos are also on Youtube.

[pOiNtPuShEr]

Hi Richard,

I'm not sure if this helps you, but there are a lot of threads right here on ZBC showing some people's render setups straight out of Zbrush. Here are a couple:

http://www.zbrushcentral.com/showthread.php?t=074301
http://www.zbrushcentral.com/showthread.php?t=61941

Here is a decent video tutorial online as well:
http://www.veoh.com/collection/zbrushtraining/watch/v808080dNJARWPa

Here's one from the Pixologic site about exporting material attributes to image files as well.

There's tons of good info out there and soooo many ways to approach things, hopefully this helps a little until someone from Pixologic can make a real concrete tutorial (or maybe they have, and I just don't know where it is yet).

[hoskins78]

Thanks for those links pOiNtPuShEr ;) they will give me something to get my teeth into.

[Xeeman]

If you use Firefox there are numerous plugins that enable you to download embedded video, including that in the zclassroom. Many of the videos are also on Youtube.Thank you! I should have thought of this myself.

[Gridlost]

Are there any plans to have the tutorial video's as standalone downloads? For what ever reason the routing between the video servers and me are terrible. Takes close to 2 hours just for one video to finish buffering. Doesn't help that I have an awful memory and wanting to go back and review something I can't quite remember from one video makes me want to pull my hair out.

Great tutorials though (when I can watch them)
download realplayer. this allows you to download embedded video form web pages. its painless. when ever a video pops up, a little window appears on top of the video asking you if you want to download it. I use it all the time, works with Crome, firefox, Explorer. :cool: :tu:

I forgot to mention. Its also free! :D

[legolos13]

Hey there, I am totally new to ZBrush, but I think I understand a good bit of it already. I was watching the video in Zclassroom about the making of No More Wine. And while trying to follow along with ZSpheres I noticed that when I preview my adaptive skin it looks totally different. The joints dont seem to curve as well, and the skin sticks exactly to the zsheres instead of being slightly different like it is in the video.... am i using the wrong settings? when i click use classic skinning it is alot closer, but still "off".

thanks!

legolos13

[Emericanized]

Is there a database that has the old pre-redesign tutorials? specifically the one about mirroring surface details? I love the new look and navigation, but I can only find a fraction of the tutorials I used to take advantage of! :(

Thanks in advance for any assistance!

[theMARK]

Hi

I've been using ZBrush for some time now, but I really need to understand more about polycounts. I am creating a fairly complicated character and am looking to add as much detail as possible. However I need to keep an eye on my polycount as it's so easy to get carried away and exceed the max.

I had a quick look at one of pixo's tutorials under - 'Getting Started Tutorials/Introduction to ZBrush/Subdivisions', which was really helpful. During the tutorial there was a mention about using billions of polys via HD and the tutor also mentioned a later lesson where he talks through this process. Can anyone tell me where I may be able to find this tutorial?

[Martin@PIXOLOGIC]

Hey there, I am totally new to ZBrush, but I think I understand a good bit of it already. I was watching the video in Zclassroom about the making of No More Wine. And while trying to follow along with ZSpheres I noticed that when I preview my adaptive skin it looks totally different. The joints dont seem to curve as well, and the skin sticks exactly to the zsheres instead of being slightly different like it is in the video.... am i using the wrong settings? when i click use classic skinning it is alot closer, but still "off".This tutorial recorded by ZBrush artist Simon Blanc, was recorded a few
ZBrush version ago. But don't let that scare you! :D All of the training in
these videos are still relevant to the current version of ZBrush. So why do
things look a bit different? This is because ZSpheres are constantly
evolving!

You can use ZSphere in several different ways. One way is for creating a
great base mesh that you can later subdivided and sculpt on. Creating your
base mesh this way can be done in two different styles.

(Classic Skinning and the new Default Skinning)

The new default skinning is more a "what you see is what you get"
approach to working with ZSpheres.

When you press the "A" key with the default skinning, you will
get a mesh that closely resembles your ZSpheres. If you are new to
ZSphere modeling then it is highly recommended that you use this default
method and settings.

The Classic skinning, works quite differently form the current default skinning.

When working with the classic skinning method imagine that each ZSphere
you grow is actually grown from a face of a cube.

The reason I explain it this way, is because when you preview the skin created in
this classic mode, you will see that the edges are flowing much like you
would expect from a model that was created by extruding faces from a cube.

So when working with Simon's tutorial, don't worry if your skin does
not look exactly like his does. You will essential be creating the same
base mesh which is the important part! Then you can continue to follow
along as Simon details the base mesh with many of the powerful sculpting brushes.

Here is a link to "The Making of No More Wine" (http://www.pixologic.com/zclassroom/homeroom/tutorial.php?lesson=nomorewine) by Simon Blanc

Enjoy!

[AngelHoof]

I'd recommend creating a tutorial about how people with absolutely zero (read: Zero) artistic skill could actually get pretty good at Zbrush, IF it actually is possible for somebody with zero artistic skill to get good.

I can sketch stickmen, bad stickmen - Is that artistic enough ya think? ;)

[Martin@PIXOLOGIC]

Hi

I've been using ZBrush for some time now, but I really need to understand more about polycounts. I am creating a fairly complicated character and am looking to add as much detail as possible. However I need to keep an eye on my polycount as it's so easy to get carried away and exceed the max.

I had a quick look at one of pixo's tutorials under - 'Getting Started Tutorials/Introduction to ZBrush/Subdivisions', which was really helpful. During the tutorial there was a mention about using billions of polys via HD and the tutor also mentioned a later lesson where he talks through this process. Can anyone tell me where I may be able to find this tutorial?No problem! Once you feel comfortable sculpting in standard subdivisions
then you can move on to virtually unlimited detail with HD subdivisions.

But I would like to make a recommendation to those of you new to ZBrush.
Don't just jump in and start subdividing into millions and billions of polys
before you get a good foundation at a lower poly count. If you take a look
at many of the posts from the ZBrush masters here on ZBrushCentral, you
will notice how most of them spend a lot of time getting all the detail they
can out of a lower poly mesh. Once they have pushed that low poly mesh
as far as they can, then they will subdivide. Working this way will help you
focus on building a great base form!;)

Ok so you are saying "forget the basics, I want a billion polygons!"
Well where you go.

Working with HD Geometry in ZBrush (http://www.pixologic.com/zclassroom/homeroom/tutorial.php?lesson=HD)

[Martin@PIXOLOGIC]

Is there a database that has the old pre-redesign tutorials? specifically the one about mirroring surface details? I love the new look and navigation, but I can only find a fraction of the tutorials I used to take advantage of! :(

Thanks in advance for any assistance!Most of what you found in earlier ZClassrooms is still available in the updated one!

Many of the old videos have been combined and remade into new ones.
And there are still many many more in production that will be release soon.

However, all of the older videos can be found on the Pixologic YouTube channel which can be found here:

Watch ZBrush Training on YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/user/ZBRUSHatPIXOLOGIC)

[legolos13]

thanks so much martin for your help! I have one final question though.....if i did want to get the effect, where the ends of the zspheres are more rounded instead of flat, IS there a way to do that?



see picture for what i mean by "they look flattened instead of rounded" what i need to know is there a way to make that rounded like a ball?

thanks much!

zbrush_flatexample.jpg

[Gridlost]

ya, they are still lacking the intermediate and advanced tutorials. I would love to see a break down of the uses of the different brush groups.


I do hope with the influx of new tutorials this means that zbrush 4 is just around the corner. I was hoping to see a return of how to make a swords tutorial along with a few more small project videos.

in edition to the video updates i would love to see the matcap, alphas, textures organized & grouped down-loadable packs. all zipped. for example: Matcap>metal all.zip
same with the textures and alphas. I for one download everything a software has to offer. I consider these part of of library. This also includes the models. :cool:

[theMARK]

No problem! Once you feel comfortable sculpting in standard subdivisions
then you can move on to virtually unlimited detail with HD subdivisions.

But I would like to make a recommendation to those of you new to ZBrush.
Don't just jump in and start subdividing into millions and billions of polys
before you get a good foundation at a lower poly count. If you take a look
at many of the posts from the ZBrush masters here on ZBrushCentral, you
will notice how most of them spend a lot of time getting all the detail they
can out of a lower poly mesh. Once they have pushed that low poly mesh
as far as they can, then they will subdivide. Working this way will help you
focus on building a great base form!;)

Ok so you are saying "forget the basics, I want a billion polygons!"
Well where you go.

Working with HD Geometry in ZBrush (http://www.pixologic.com/zclassroom/homeroom/tutorial.php?lesson=HD)

Thanks Martin
Just about to check that tutorial out. I have been building my models in the way you described. Pulling and modeling with low poly's until I can't push it any further. Then increase the poly's and add more detail.

My problem is how do you know when to stop. For example if one was to model a motorcycle helmet would you keep increasing the poly's until the surface is perfectly smooth, rather than being able to see the flat surfaces of the poly's.

Thanks again for your advice. Much appreciated.

[Martin@PIXOLOGIC]

thanks so much martin for your help! I have one final question though.....if i did want to get the effect, where the ends of the zspheres are more rounded instead of flat, IS there a way to do that?



see picture for what i mean by "they look flattened instead of rounded" what i need to know is there a way to make that rounded like a ball?

thanks much!

zbrush_flatexample.jpgAgain, if you are new to ZSpheres I highly recommend using the default
mode with the default settings. In this image you posted it looks like you
are using the classic skinning method. Try doing everything in the default
mode, and send me a private message here on ZBC with a link to the
image so I can take a look.:)

[CleanCitrus]

I just downloaded the 30 day free trial of Zbrush 3.1 and started going through some of the ZClassroom videos when I noticed that a lot of the UI in the videos is different than mine. It makes them much more confusing and frustrating than they should be. What's the problem here?

[Gridlost]

I just downloaded the 30 day free trial of Zbrush 3.1 and started going through some of the ZClassroom videos when I noticed that a lot of the UI in the videos is different than mine. It makes them much more confusing and frustrating than they should be. What's the problem here?


the free trail is zbrush 3.1. the videos currently are for 3.5. check the zbrush channel list above in this classroom thread. the moderator has moved all the old videos to youtube.

[legolos13]

Thanks Martin,

I tried to PM you but it didnt work so I am posting here.

As you can see, It DOES achieve the rounded effect that I want... but if you take a look at circle #2 you will see how SHARP the joint is, where in the other shot earlier in the other mode has that nice curve to it.

Is there a way to get that join more curved and less sharp, but still use the default mode? Basically so the skin doesn't STICK so much to the zspheres.

Thanks!

Legolos13

zbrush shot.jpg

[Sickness]

Thanks for all the super cool tutorials at ZClassroom. The methods there are sometimes very very cool. It's always amazing to see in how many ways you can make ZBrush work that aren't obvious.

I also like the recent seamless texture method a lot. It's the 3rd time now that I've seen a slightly different approach on the subject even though most are alike. There's always something new in there I like :)

Now there's a question I've been spreading across a few threads now. a rather silly thing I somehow cannot make work: How do I move the canvas with my stylus on a (german) Mac? I found that the tilde key combination is Alt-Shift-8 (german layout) or Alt-Shift-n (US layout). Both don't work. I feel kinda stupid but I never found an answer to that. ... Help? :confused:

[kobo]

I would like the videos to provide subtitles so deaf people like me can understand what to do.

[AngelHoof]

I would like the videos to provide subtitles so deaf people like me can understand what to do.
Agreed.

[icreate]

I'm sorry I have posted this twice, but not sure where to go and get an answer. In sebastien Legrain's tutorial the first step is to initialize. I noticed that the newer versions don't have an initialize. Is this now somewhere else in the program?

[hoskins78]

Init ZBrush is the first button in the Preferences pulldown at the top of the screen.

[icreate]

This is a different initialize that is in the doc on the side and used in this tutorial. It did not show up until I really watched the tutorial and made sure that each and ever step was the same as the tutotrial. Then it appeared. I'm not sure why it is not there all of the time. Thanks for the information.

[Eloy Rivero]

Hi, I m new in Z-brush and I was trying to open the tutorial videos but links does not work, would want to know if it is a problem of the page or is my computer thanks Eloy

[hoskins78]

I just tried a few without any problem

[dustbin1_uk]

You will need to make sure you have the latest flash installed.

http://get.adobe.com/flashplayer/

[dustbin1_uk]

Any more videos coming soon Martin?

[LeGendPen]

I know 3.5 is on its' way for Mac soon, and so the tutorials will apply to both windows and Mac, as both will have the same features.

That said, for the time being, the tutorial that makes use of lightbox is a bit frustrating, as 3.2 for Mac hasn't got that feature. What really bugs me, though, is in the tutorial series about ZSpheres, there is mention of using 'Shift+A' to apply a texture to a sphere. This shortcut does nothing in Mac ZBrush 3.2. Is there a mac equivalent? As is, I ca not follow the steps to draw more spheres on the initial sphere, or skin the wire frame for the humanoid model.

I appreciate the free content, and find 99.9% of the tutorials excellent, but give us Mac users a lil' love?

Thanks for an excellent product!

E LeGendre

[Gridlost]

well the shift A is just a short cut. I believe under the brush menu you click make adaptive skin. If you want to assign it to a hotkey you should be able to do that under preferences some where.

As far as mac users go, I really think Pix should offer you all PC versions of Zbrush. My guess is that coding for Mac is a serious pain in the butt. I understand that Mac users can run PC programs with Bootcamp? Perhaps its best if Pix just gives you all PC serial keys.

I'm sorry you all have to wait for software. Zbrush isn't the only thing you have to wait for... So many other programs and games are in the same boat. Even VoIP software. Mac needs to make it easier to code if they are going to be competitive with the PC. :eek:

[Ravis3057]

I have watched about 80% of the videos in the zclassroom, and what i have found most useful were the artist videos. I love to see the different techniques used by all of these artists. I have my own workflow that is constantly being adjusted as I learn new ways to manipulate the software. Videos like the one featuring Cesar Dacol are so great because he not only explains "how" he creates his workflow, but "why" he does it that way. Giving younger artists some insight to the "why" of a workflow, helps to develop skills on a higher artistic level. Thanks Zbrush, I look forward to more.

[tremor50]

i have just begun to use zbrush but i have already hit a road block. for some reason i cant get the local symmetry to work when im using the z spheres. i have the local symmetry icon on. yet the only time it seems to want to work is when im only using the standard brush on a current polymesh. i would love to know what simple thing step im missing if you would e so kind as to help me out it would be much appreciated :D

[dustbin1_uk]

Another thing you could try:

http://www.pixologic.com/docs/index.php/ZSpheres:_Building_a_Basic_Humanoid

EDIT:
If you ever are stuck, then look in here:
http://www.zbrushcentral.com/forumdisplay.php?f=101

Just make sure you read this first:
http://www.zbrushcentral.com/showthread.php?t=20338

Good Luck!

[romanian]

Hello, trying to find the samurai sword tutorial that you used to have and can't find it. Specifically what i need it for is the part about drawing the guard from a flat plane, masking, deleting and extruding or offsetting it.
Can you help?

[romanian]

Hi, trying to find samurai sword tutorial - it would be really helpful to enable me to draw a model with holes in...

[leecaste]

Hi guys,i want to know the name of the theme that sounds in the background of the Alien helmet tutorial...or if it´s done just for the turorial could you guys from pixologic upload it for us?...THANKS A LOT (excuse my bad english :p )

[mavinova]

hi martin , I d like to point out something that is bothering me.

I had great usage of the old, brief, short functional explanation videos of the basic features of zbrush. I believe most of them are removed. I cant find them.

I want to give you a little insight about my workflow,and how zbrush classroom comes into play.

I am a generalist rather than a hardcore modeler and I dont know zbrush as in depth as I d like to. so for some of the procedures, I usually need 2-3 minute refreshments. the zbrush classroom setup before was just that. if I needed info about 3d model projection onto a surface, I d open the video about that, give it a 5 minute watching and check my work for mistakes or simply apply what I have seen. it was efficient, fast, to the point.

right now this kind of informative videos are only about the new features and I am guessing you guys have decided to teach the basic features with project based videos, artist videos and so on.
the problem about this is firstly it consumes much more time so it cant be embedded into my workflow, second, i have to guess what they include. for example, right now there is no video specifically telling topology or 3d projection procedures in zbrush so I have to guess which "making of" or artist video include that subject. and just hope that they actually fully cover it.

this is a big deal for me and I just wanted to tell without knowing if anyone else is in the same situation.

thanks for all your effort. anything you do is greatly appreciated.

[willow12]

I looked and looked and can not find the pulldown, surfaces and therefore , noise after that. Please, help

[sadicus]

Well said mavinova, and I agree. ;)
Also a dedicated Section for each new workflow ZB version would be nice.
One of the things that happens is "what workflow do I use now?"

In ZB x you do these 8 steps to get x result, In the new version it's more simplified so you don't need to go about it the same way.

It's not that the info is not available, it's just difficult to find for a specific version sometimes.



I had great usage of the old, brief, short functional explanation videos of the basic features of zbrush. I believe most of them are removed. I cant find them.

this is a big deal for me and I just wanted to tell without knowing if anyone else is in the same situation.

thanks for all your effort. anything you do is greatly appreciated.

[lacika]

I just started to watch the beginner tutorials on ZClassroom. So far I like them and they are helpful. However, I wish they would've been recorded using the Techsmith compressor which is extremely good quality for screen presentations. As it is now, flash video/H.264 is too compressed and especially if I watch the vids full screen, you can't make out the titles and text on the screen.

[lacika]

I am wondering what version is the beginning videos are for? I am watching the Polypaint movie in the beginner section and it says to click on the Polypaint button in the Tool palette. Well, there's no such button in the trial 3.1 version.

What makes this worse, is that most of the time a program includes a help file of some sort, where I can just quickly type in "Polypaint" and there it is. ZBrush doesn't even have a help file. F1 takes me to a convoluted website which I find absolutely not helpful for finding where is the Polytool. But that's just my observation.

Frustrating...:mad::td:

[dustbin1_uk]

Just a reminder guys, ZB4 is due out in a few weeks.

Chances are there will be some workflow adjustments to use the new features. A mass version change (eg 1.0 to 2.0, 2.0 to 3.0 and of course 3.5 to 4) will always mean an overhaul of interface and most features.
Not that the usage will change too badly (as that would just confuse and upset people) but there is always a guaranteed slight change of workflow even at the basic user level.

So sit tight, wait for ZB4 as I suspect this classroom will suddenly become VERY busy! ;)

[lacika]

There's this funky thing going on with the videos. On a certain occasion, when I watch the videos full screen, then I switch back to normal mode, the flash video gets stretched horizontally. This causes the right part of the video cut off. From this point on I can only watch the video full screen, if I want to see all the information. Otherwise I have to click on the little thumbnail chapter below the video to reset it.

This happened to me on a few occasions using all 3 browsers (FF 3.6.6, Opera 10.60, IE 8). Using Flash 10.1.53.64 on WinXP Pro 32bit.

[sadicus]

Thanks to Aurick, and others here at ZBC!
hmm time to try ALL the brushes before ZB4 release.

[romanian]

Hi Mavinova, i work in much the same way as you and used the old tutorials like you as well...
I cannot seem to find any help on here to sort out my drawing problem..
Don't know if you know? I want to draw up a shape that has holes in it, which i have done by using zspheres, but there are two overlapping ends. There was a much simpler more elegant way described on an old tutorial on how to draw a samurai sword.
The guard-which had four holes in it was drawn from a flat plane, masked out and then deleted and extruded, to make the basic shape of the guard.
I simply cannot work out how to do this.
Can you help?

[hoskins78]

I was recently looking at the ZBrush tutorials on YouTube, and saw many there featuring the modelling of a samurai sword, as well as a couple I had wanted to refer to that I remembered from my free trial days.

You might find what you are looking for there.

Can't wait to see what the new version brings :cool:

[romanian]

Hello and thanks for this - i'll check it out!

[romanian]

Hey - thanks a lot - found it on youtube - there's loads on there..
Nice one!

[spencer.neal]

Are the videos prior to the release of 3.5 still available? If so where?

Spencer

[johnsculp]

Hello - looking at the classroom videos - intro to Noise. I cannot see the surface menu which contains the noise modifiers, I am using the Mac OS 3.2 version. Is it headed as something else?

[klausknuth]

Hi Johnsculp,
as far as I know, you have to wait for Zbrush 4.0 ( like me ;) ) It's not a feature for Mac, yet.

Klaus

[johnsculp]

Hello Klaus,

some great work you do, like the female figures alot.

I make sculpture http://www.a4a.com and want to use this zbrush program to help in concept work for larger scale artworks, maybe even 3d printing the small versions first. Hope I can get my head round the learning of it.

John

this pic below is my real claywork lifesize statue - want to be able to zbrush like this also!
ariadne1.jpeg

[goode400]

Hello - looking at the classroom videos - intro to Noise. I cannot see the surface menu which contains the noise modifiers, I am using the Mac OS 3.2 version. Is it headed as something else?

Hi John. I see you've decided to jump down the rabbit hole! I predict some late nights ahead for you! :-)

[PolyHertz]

johnsculp: Nice cloth work you have going on their, quite a few good pieces on your site too :)

Welcome aboard!

[digital_3d]

Hello Klaus,

some great work you do, like the female figures alot.

I make sculpture http://www.a4a.com and want to use this zbrush program to help in concept work for larger scale artworks, maybe even 3d printing the small versions first. Hope I can get my head round the learning of it.

John

this pic below is my real claywork lifesize statue - want to be able to zbrush like this also!


Very nice sculpts Johnsculpt.

Ya zbrush will be very useful for you.

[klausknuth]

Johnsculpt: Great work!
If you've done this in this world, you'll make it in ZBrush land :)

[bignewf]

John,
Look under the DEFORMATION menu. You'll find noise there.

[bignewf]

I should add that the NOISE slider found in the DEFORMATION menu does not have the same functionality that it does in 3.5 but you should still be able to get some interesting and useful results.

[Ravis3057]

I am trying to follow the rocky surfaces tutorial in the zClassroom and I am having trouble. My planar brush doesn't seem to be responsive. Every once in awhile a stroke gets applied, but i have scribbled all over the model and most of the time the brush does nothing. Ive checked all of the usual problems, z Intensity, draw size, masks, ect. Whats interesting is that all of the other brushes work on the mesh. Am I missing something?

[wallasaurus]

Have a look at the depth value in the brush menu. Maybe it is set too high?

[Herbicide]

Living in Europe... One of the downsides... based on where you live... Bandwidth. :td:

With this in mind I would like to make a suggestion in regards to enhancing the services being provided in the ZClassroom. It would prove to be very advantageous to persons such as myself if it were possible to download these videos as opposed to watching them on-line. True as it may be that "there are more ways to skin a cat", I for one would prefer a straight forward method of being able to choose if I wished to watch them on line or download them.

Kindest regards,

-h

[tennet]

Hi,
Just followed the Zsketch tutorials and I can't draw straight lines by holding Shift + Alt like it's done in the video? I am using Mac. Are there other hotkeys for this?

Thanks in advance.

/ tennet

[adio38]

Hey, I want to be able to render out of zbrush and light. Are there any good tutorials that any of you know about to light a scene and render? Thanks

Adio

[ministerart@hotmail.co.uk]

Hey..help?..

Im trying to polypaint with cavity mask and it doesnt seem to be active?...in 3.5 the negative/positive effect was immediate and responsive but in 4 I see no change when i go to brush....cavity mask?..

any help would be appreciated.

[dratefs]

Very nice to have such a service..I know it is a bit late but I am newbie ,so kindly accept my subscription

[Asparagin]

Totally agree, I don't know if it is because of the bandwidth, but the tutorials page is unaccessible. If the Videos were available somewhere to download, it would be great.

[Sigmund Hentze]

Sorry, am i doing something illegal as I am downloading them...?

I never watch any movie online, I use FlashGot to download... much easier to watch and watch again by referencing important sections...

[bebopdlx]

Hi all.
I can't access the classroom anymore either.
Duncan

[hoskins78]

I noticed the same yesterday, - I guess the Classroom will be updated with ZBrush 4 vids before long. In the meantime I've been checking out the latest on YouTube.

[dansher]

it seems to work every now and then

[Predator42]

Classroom still down? Anyone able to get in and see videos?

[meshlife]

The video of the concept car abruptly stopped, so I started it again but could not drag the playhead to rewatch parts or fast forward. Anyway to get around this? Thanks.

[meshlife]

2nd time it froze in the exact same spot. 10:08.

[exodune]

Sorry, am i doing something illegal as I am downloading them...?

I never watch any movie online, I use FlashGot to download... much easier to watch and watch again by referencing important sections...Uhm, one Question..how do you download them? I cant watch them online, so it would be awesome if I knew how to download them.

[Sigmund Hentze]

Uhm, one Question..how do you download them? I cant watch them online, so it would be awesome if I knew how to download them.
As stated, get FlashGot or some other program and download the, I do this for my private ZBrush videos from places like YouTube and then sort into a comprehensive library for my reference... Not sure if its legal, but makes life a lot easier when you have slow lines...

There are other programs that help you grap videos from the web...

[Gridlost]

Any word on when we are getting tutorial videos on Shadowbox or Spotlight? Much needed.

[Point]

Try this YouTube link, here you will find all the ZBrush 4 features covered in detailed videos, with excellent commentary.

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=ZBRUSHatPIXOLOGIC&aq=f

or just search for user: ZBRUSHatPIXOLOGIC.

[Gridlost]

Try this YouTube link, here you will find all the ZBrush 4 features covered in detailed videos, with excellent commentary.

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=ZBRUSHatPIXOLOGIC&aq=f

or just search for user: ZBRUSHatPIXOLOGIC.

there is really nothing there for either Spotlight nor Shadowbox. Need a detailed Tutorial please.

[Richard Marklew]

there is really nothing there for either Spotlight nor Shadowbox. Need a detailed Tutorial please.
What except for the shadowbox tutorials you mean.
Also some here http://www.youtube.com/user/cannedmushrooms#g/c/1EEE9B16E1AE1CCE
Spotlight user tutorial http://www.zbrushcentral.com/showthread.php?t=93495
Remember zbrush 4 has just come out, give it time for people to put tutorials together.
If you want a detailed tutorial here you go: https://www.zbrushworkshops.com/shop/workshops/comprehensive-introduction-to-zbrush-4.html

[Gridlost]

What except for the shadowbox tutorials you mean.
Also some here http://www.youtube.com/user/cannedmushrooms#g/c/1EEE9B16E1AE1CCE
Spotlight user tutorial http://www.zbrushcentral.com/showthread.php?t=93495
Remember zbrush 4 has just come out, give it time for people to put tutorials together.
If you want a detailed tutorial here you go: https://www.zbrushworkshops.com/shop/workshops/comprehensive-introduction-to-zbrush-4.html

I expect Pixol to produce some tutorials on the items I listed. This classroom site is just for that..... a place to request Pixol to make videos for. A place for customers to request education.

I love Cannedmushroom, great videos. But the quality that Pixol releases as help videos is of a better quality. I am Asking if Pixol is releasing any soon.

I am not making demands, don't get my post wrong. Just making a request for them to continue their video "Walk-Throughs" like they have done in the past. I also would like to see them restore the video of use of the projection master. Perhaps that is being merged with a video on spotlight.

[boobzkrewer]

wow, why are there no new tutorials in the classroom, seems like it would make sense to showcase a few Z4 tutorials for us noobers. Maybe get on the horn with Simon Blanc and have him go over the texturing of "No More Wine" using Spotlight. Im sure if you send him a hefty cheque, maybe he wouldn't mind redoing a bit of his hard work.

[Gridlost]

A new video on "Spotlight has been released to the videos on the Pix video section! Thanks Pixol! I hope there are more coming on the rest of the new features including Stuff on Shadowbox and Projection master!

[LION.X]

In zclassroom tutorials you mentioned some shortcut that its not working with me on mac ... is there are any way to activate them or they are differents on mac edition ?

[Stephen0523]

Hi. I am brand new to ZB. Is there a higher quality download of the complete Z Classroom or is Z Classroom available on disk?

Thanks and I am really looking forward to using ZB

Regards
Stephen

[lucaswschmidt]

Hi, finally learning zsketching and I noticed that on a mac the shift+alt to smooth in a straight line doesn't seem to do anything. Anyone else have the same problem or know of a solution or alternate button combo?

[acmepixel]

ZClassroom>Getting Started>Spotlight>Color_Matching; missing video.

Any news on when it will be uploaded?

[ONher_247]

This is the best idea ever...cant wait to see what evolves from this thread. :tu: :tu: :D

[GrieverXVII]

Exactly what I needed!!!
It's been about a year now since I graduated from AiV, and I was taught ZBrush in quite a quick manner didn't really give me enough time to become comfortable with the program or fully understand it. Now that it's been awhile, ZClassroom is perfect for refreshing my memory on the basics and uses of ZBrush! best idea ever! beats having to search upon endless of messy tuts over the web. Today I sat down wanting to go over ZBrush again then I stumble across this! absolutely perfect, thanks! :D

[Warzombee]

Im new to zbrush and any tutorials are welcome as my skills are a little well not that good I am an artist/sculptor but only with traditional materials clay/wax so looking to expand my digital knowledge

Any help is welcome!

Attached is my first attempt refered to as day 1 my stuggle with the computer :o Day 1.jpg

[rolilli]

I would love to know how it is done to give a Zsketch those lovely colors like in the tutorial,s example.

Can't figure it out myself :confused:

[icreate]

rolilli, turn on poly F when doing your zsketch and you will see the colors. you can do this by looking in your right hand menu. My polyf is located 5th from bottom.

[rolilli]

Thank you icreate.

I am afraid I did not make myself clear, I am aware of the polyF but it are those other colors, like the orange ones below I can't reproduce. ScreenShot002.jpg ScreenShot001.jpg

[calico1]

Does the Projection Master Tutorial have more than just five parts? It's seems to quit in the middle of the series.

[micronox]

the video is over here

http://www.cgarena.com/freestuff/tutorials/zbrush/pixozbrush/seb_projection2.html

[wallasaurus]

Have you tried turning on rgb or mrgb when you are zketching? You might like it!



Thank you icreate.

I am afraid I did not make myself clear, I am aware of the polyF but it are those other colors, like the orange ones below I can't reproduce. ScreenShot002.jpg ScreenShot001.jpg

[rolilli]

Thanks wallasaurus, I will check it out.

[TheBlur]

Hi everyone. I'm new here so if I'm posting this in the wrong place let me know!

Has anyone made any advanced digital painting videos? I know there was one scheduled for 'no more wine' a long time ago but this has since been removed. I've found some really good ones for mudbox but that doesn't really help me when working with zbrush.
+ its great to watch an experienced artist at work to pick up techniques and workflow.

[Grotius]

I have been away from ZBrush for a couple years, and I hardly remember the UI at all. Now I have ZBrush 4. Are these videos (the ZBrush Classroom) the best place to start learning ZBrush 4? I can't tell which version they're using.

[polyxo]

Hi Zbrush Developers,
I'd like to use this forum to give some feedback on the recent "Making Time for Art 2" thread by Ofer Alon out of the perspective of a Product Designer using Zbrush.

I can start off with stating that I am completely amazed about the amount of new additions from 3.5 to 4.0 and their elegant and streamlined implementation! It will still take me a long time to figure all the new tools and the possible new workflows offered out.

Of course watching Ofer creating this Motorcycle looks way cool too.
I guess this is an extremely helpful resource for understanding how to rapidly reproduce an exiting Design by using an image-template while being relatively free from limitations dictated by the Geometry-Type.

That's probably also what a lot of Zbrush-Users in the Film and Gaming Industry have to do - quickly create some 3DScene-Props which look convincing just with some photos...
But what I saw here thus far is indeed a Reverse-Engineering Process,
the entire MotoCycle has already been designed in all its Detail before...

I wonder - are the new tools equally useful to develop technical shapes
from scratch, just based on functional/aesthetic concepts the User has in mind?
How about rapidly creating variations of parts and storing different shape/texture/colour-combinations inside a project using Layers and maybe the Timeline feature?

For anyone who'd like to learn using Zbrush to actually design such technical goods using the newly added toolsets I believe another sort of Tutorial was more helpful.

Holger

[calico1]

Thanks!!


the video is over here

http://www.cgarena.com/freestuff/tutorials/zbrush/pixozbrush/seb_projection2.html

[calico1]

The zBrush Classroom with Ryan is an excellent place to begin. Having zBrush 4 should be perfect to learn from these tutorials.



I have been away from ZBrush for a couple years, and I hardly remember the UI at all. Now I have ZBrush 4. Are these videos (the ZBrush Classroom) the best place to start learning ZBrush 4? I can't tell which version they're using.

[The Jeweler]

Hi all, I'm new to Zbrush and am going through the tutorials now. I had a bit of trouble in the Planar and Zsphere tutorials.

In zspheres I can't seem to take an Armature in sketch mode and create a straight line out of it. I press shift/alt click and drag... but nothing happens. The courser just goes from blue to red, pauses, and then nothing else happens.

In the Planar videos, in my brush palette I don't seem to have "Move 2", "Move thin" (I think), "Planar cut deep", and possibly one other.

Finally, if you want to start a new image and completely delete the project you're working on, how do you delete it and start over? The ctrl-n only works some of the time.

Like I said... newby. Zbrush seems like an amazing tool so far, but I'm still fairly low on the learning curve. Thanks to anyone for their input and/or direction.

[Cartman]

i don't know how to work with sub tools :cry:

[tburbage]

Hey Martin,

great idea for a thread! I'll be watching this!
The one thing i'd like to see is a short tutorial about the Boolean operations. It's still a little bit hard for me to figure out the order of the subtools, so that the operation works the way i want to. Now i believe that the Booleans will get a makeover in ZB 4, so if that's the case *hint *hint, don't bother, i'll be waiting for Z4 then :DI'm just starting to go through this forum's posts, but this is what brought me here today. I'm looking for one or more tutorials that are a good overview of the most used sculpting brushes and where/why they are used for specific tasks. I suspect really experienced users tend to use a half dozen or so brushes 90% of the time, then some additional specialized ones to solve very specific problems.

If folks have suggs on existing tutorials or ZBrush sculpting guru profiles which cover this ground, I'd appreciate hearing of it. Meanwhile, continuing to read through the posts and poke around in the ZClassroom, YouTube, Vimeo, etc. Also, if anyone has really strong specific recommendations in terms of Gnomon or DigitalTutors videos, I'd be interested in hearing that as well.

[tburbage]

Hi all, I'm new to Zbrush and am going through the tutorials now. I had a bit of trouble in the Planar and Zsphere tutorials.

In zspheres I can't seem to take an Armature in sketch mode and create a straight line out of it. I press shift/alt click and drag... but nothing happens. The courser just goes from blue to red, pauses, and then nothing else happens.
I'm having the same problem with the straightening sketch strokes part.
[FIGURED IT OUT...] The order of actions is what makes the difference between working and not... You have to move in proximity to the ZSketch stroke you want to straighten, press and hold down Shift, click and hold down (pen or mouse) so the brush outline disappears, THEN press Alt and drag. I was doing Shift+Alt+pen-down/drag rather than Shift+pen-down+Alt+drag...

Other than that, found the ZSpheres/ZSketch series of tutorial videos very informative. The second Joseph Drust Webcast video helped a lot in understanding a practical usage of Adaptive Skinning to generate a 1st draft model where the ZSphere armature is an important part of the draft export mesh definition...

[sudhan1991]

Where are the videos

[InsaneXade]

it says you can customize the UI by enabling custom UI then holding control click and drag the items you want to put up in the top bar but I cannot seem to do it. Maybe my zbrush is wrong :(

[Magnus3D]

I'm experiencing a few issues with playing back videos in both FireFox and Opera, latest versions. They run for a couple of seconds, 10-15 maximum and then they just cut off and when retrying again the same things happen. I have tried to restart both my computer, my browsers and nothing seems to solve the problem. It's not my internetconnection either as i'm on a 100mbit fiber.

/ Magnus

[shreddym]

I've been out of the loop for about a year, and considering that, I'm still terribly newbile. Concerning the ZClassroom videos, wasn't there a video talking about importing layers and mirroring objects? I can't seem to find that video any longer.

I've got a character, fully UVed, cut into pieces, with some parts mirrored (i.e. legs, arms), and some parts that share no duplicate UV space (i.e. face, chest). Because I've never been able to wrap my head around the layers and the mirroring in zBrush, I've always just worked on each piece individually and pieced the textures together in Photoshop. I'm terribly retarded, and wish not to be any longer.

If one does not exist, might I suggest a character tutorial video regarding the importing of obj pieces of a whole model, mirroring the pieces that need to be mirrored, and and continuing along the workflow? Again...I thought a video akin to this was up in the ZClassroom before...has my naviational density prevented me from locating it...or is it gone?

[TRAN BA THONG]

Hello. I think ZBrush is great. I want to learn but I do not know where to start. you help me with. thanks a lot

[Bas Mazur]

Hello. I think ZBrush is great. I want to learn but I do not know where to start. you help me with. thanks a lot

http://www.pixologic.com/zclassroom/homeroom/

[Vesta]

it says you can customize the UI by enabling custom UI then holding control click and drag the items you want to put up in the top bar but I cannot seem to do it. Maybe my zbrush is wrong :(Hello!
I have the same problem and the same question-- how to customize materials, creating my own set of materials or brushes?

I used CTRL click, but I could not see anything in dragging.
Could you help me to understand this process of customizing materials, brushes or alfas on the top of the ZBrush window.
(User`s interface--videotutorial for beginners)

( I hope you understood my English, I am sorry it` s not very well)

[Vesta]

I `ve found answer on my question!

For ZBrush 4 -- use combination of buttons CTRL + ALT and you will be able to drag ( to move) all instruments into the Custom menu! :)

[MaxLenneper]

Hello!
I have the same problem and the same question-- how to customize materials, creating my own set of materials or brushes?

I used CTRL click, but I could not see anything in dragging.
Could you help me to understand this process of customizing materials, brushes or alfas on the top of the ZBrush window.
(User`s interface--videotutorial for beginners)

( I hope you understood my English, I am sorry it` s not very well)Hello, and happy new year.

Vesta, have you turned on "Enable Customize" under Preferences -> Custum UI? If it's off, you will not be able to move buttons and such around, but instead customize Shortcuts. Note that since the ZBrush 4 patch, it's now ctrl+alt+click'n'drag to customize shortcuts and UI layouts. it appears they have still not changed that in the tooltip...
In short,

Enable Customize off + ctrl+alt+click = Custom Shortcuts
Enable Customize on + ctrl+alt+click'n'drag = Custom UI layout

Ctrl held down will only display tooltips when your cursor is over some menu item, ctrl click does nothing UI related as far as I know.
Alt click attaches the whole palette the menu item belongs to to the right side.

REMEMBER to save both your custom shortcuts and menu layout before quitting ZBrush. That means:

Preferences -> Config -> Store Config
and just to make sure I'd recommend doing this as well:
Preferences -> Config -> Save Ui

same for the Hotkeys, of course, but I believe they are stored in the config file as well.

Preferences -> Hotkeys -> Store
Preferences -> Hotkeys -> Save

All your changes should be saved and loaded as default whenever you start ZBrush. Know that some features can't be saved for startup.

I hope I could help you a little.
Good luck, and take care.

[Kaleb3d]

First of all, thank you so much for providing such high quality training to the community! I couldn't ask for a better resource:) I do, however, have a couple of questions.

1.) I can't find the tutorial for creating tiling textures and normal maps anywhere in the ZClassroom. Can anyone tell me where it is?

2.) I just finished watching Sebastien Legrains Projection Master techniques series, but it seems that it stops at video 5. Is this series incomplete right now, and are the rest of the videos still coming?

Thanks!

[Wanna Bee]

Thank you for the great tutorials for this incredible tool!
I have been a visual artist for quite a few decades but only got into 3d modeling until about 2 months ago when I stumbled upon Wings (http://www.wings3d.com/) ; I instantly became obsessed!

My son gave me a ZBrush demo for Christmas, and I'm sure you're all realizing just how much my Obsession multiplied exponentially!

It won't be much longer and I'll be upgrading.

Thanks again; and as some Govenor once said: I'll be back!

Michael ;)

[mpaquin]

1.) I can't find the tutorial for creating tiling textures and normal maps anywhere in the ZClassroom. Can anyone tell me where it is?



Thanks!I was just looking for that the other day too. I don't think they archive old ZClassroom videos.

[HPDIZZO]

I can't seem to find this tutorial in the zclassroom anymore. Can you point me in the right direction?

Thanks

[CurtB]

What happened to the webcast? I really enjoyed watching the videos that came out fairly frequently on that part of the ZClassroom. You guys should make it an easier to reach resource and update it more, it would be a big hit if it wasn't kinda hidden and inactive now.

[linkinslate]

i have a female mesh i need to redo topology on i have followed the video's, with the simple primitive prims i got it to work, but on the female mesh after doing the adaptive mesh i8t looks ok till i do a unwrap and flatten once i unflatten it looks inside out like your looking at the inside. any help on way this is happeneing and how i fix it ? ty for any answers

[MaxLenneper]

i have a female mesh i need to redo topology on i have followed the video's, with the simple primitive prims i got it to work, but on the female mesh after doing the adaptive mesh i8t looks ok till i do a unwrap and flatten once i unflatten it looks inside out like your looking at the inside. any help on way this is happeneing and how i fix it ? ty for any answersI'm not sure if this helps you, but....try Tool->Display Properties-> Flip
It will flip the normals on your active tool, effectively turning it "inside out" or..outside in, if you will.

Your mesh needs to be at the highest subD, and depending on your polycount, this may take a while...
Bu since you only just redid the topology, the polycount is probably alright.

[MealeaYing]

Hi!
In the 4th video he says "You cant edit more than one object in 3D" or something like that, am I misunderstanding that?
What if I want to make something out of more than one object and still be able to move both around at the same time? Is that not possible?

Cheers, and thanks!

(Ps: I figured out how to ask this question: If I make something like a colom, or pillar can I replicate it many times and rotate and otherwise edit them all?
for example, I make one, replicate it once in X then many times in Y to create a hallway of sorts.
Does that make sense?)

[Twisted84]

These tuts are very helpful to a beginner like me. I just have one problem, At start up, There is no zspere that pops up, I have to do it manually. Is there a way to get it to pop up with a poly mesh at start up? If so please PM me

[dysamoria]

wow. so, i watched all the videos, downloaded and read through that PDF getting started thing (which relies on references to user-posted forum content more than actual Pixologic instructional content :mad: )... and i can't do a thing with this software. i feel totally left out.

i know that the problem is me... you know, the user's fault... being trained in long standing industry-standard products with standardized GUIs... silly me :rolleyes: i'm so ashamed that i can't read the mind of the guy who originally created ZBrush...

quit with the marketing speak: it's not intuitive. it's totally on its own. whether or not it is effective after a huge learning curve isn't the issue. i find it hostile, cluttered and totally inaccessible.

in my entire life of computer use, i've learned how to use most everything on my own. independent exploration of the software, reference to help documents, occasionally manuals, sometimes 3rd party books and (once) a class on Lightwave (which is, itself, almost totally unintuitive). i've never had such utter inability to accomplish anything at all with any software before ZBrush.

"getting started" materials should be more than "feature porn." :mad:

has anyone made a "getting your brain around ZBrush [for Adobe product experts]" document or maybe even a UI config setup that tries to bring standard kinds of key commands and such to ZBrush?

or maybe just an actual "getting started" tutorial that does more than hastily show off the features and point readers to hard to read and users' personal project show-offs on forum postings (most of which are "here's what i made" screenshots and 20 pages of "wow, man, that's cool" responses).

how about: "Three complete tutorials on the basics of painting in 2.5D which go step by step on actually creating a final product in 2.5D instead of just talking about how cool it is that it exists."

or: "Ten tutorials on the basics of 3D scultping in ZBrush which go step by step on actually creating a final product in 3D instead of just talking about how cool the features are."

that's what i'd like.

thanks. :confused:

[dysamoria]

default zscript doesn't look like the videos in ZBrush 4. what are we supposed to do??

[CurtB]

Maybe instead of typing all that BS out you could've spent more time researching ways to make ZBrush fit for you. The people who actually produce good things with ZBrush are the people who are dedicated enough to learn it however ways possible. Don't be so naive dude, it's not Pixologic's job to tutor you on every little detail of ZBrush. Maybe you can take a look at the wiki which is pretty much the manual, but much easier to find specific things.

Or you could, ya'know, stop using ZBrush and find something else. :rolleyes:

[dysamoria]

well, thanks CurtB. "blame the user" wins again. i've gone through the manual at the places the "getting started" PDF sends you. i found a huge list of data, barely bound to tasks, lacking instructions on actual use. i can't jump from vague and abstract reference data to execution.

and yeah it is kind of Pixologic's job to instruct users on how to actually use the tool. that's generally how it works. you make a tool, you show people how to use it, step by step, in as much detail as you can offer to accommodate all audiences.

i'm glad you elitists are so quick to tell new users to take a hike. no response to my direct and pointed question about why the default ZScript no longer resembles the tutorials, either. i don't have the luxury of having grown along with ZBrush over its years of development. and yes, i DO look around for information. constantly. i'm getting sick of it. in order to learn simple things, i have to keep researching minutia. like how [ & ] no longer are mapped to Draw Size (at least on ZBrush 4 Mac). keyboard shortcuts list on Pixologic's site showed [ & ]. didn't work. Google pointed me back to the forum, where a user (asking the same question) was pointed to a third-party's video on binding keys. the 3rd-party video solved a problem the manual didn't cover. the manual didn't cover it because it's a mistake in v4.

whatever. you don't care. you're too elite to believe in the idea of accessibility to new users. newbies like me should just pull ourselves up by the bootstraps and all that typical rhetoric, right?

back to trial and error and hunting for explanations for missing instructions...

[CurtB]

Cry me a river.

[martiangirl]

Hello,

I am a new user to Zbrush, not only Zbrush but 3d and sculpting and computers in general- barely know what my mac does :D

It is always frustrating when you (we) are out of your comfort zone and it is always tricky at the start. I do understand your frustration, it will get easier just keep going.

When I got frustrated and couldn't find the answer to my noobie problems I just came to the forum and asked for help. I think you will find that this community is very helpful, generous and encouraging to new users. :)

Don't isolate yourself from the community by ranting about how bad Zbrush is,just take it easy and ask for help, people on here are very nice and have the answers you need.
;)

[Sigmund Hentze]

To true martiangirl I started way back in 2007 with Zbrush wasn't much learning resources out there, to day there are many to choose from, I agree many are more show your work off studies and do not get to the point... I personally like the Eat 3D tuts... (member.php?u=197848)but everytime I think I am getting there, a new version comes out... not complaining though...

All 3D programs have steep learning curves, I have tried Max, Rhino, Silo, Maya, C4D and a few other... the trial period is always to short to let you decide... I have settled with the combo of ZBrush and Modo... at the age of 52 I find this quite an amazing hobby and try and put in an hour a day to learning... there are quite a few tutorials that are free on the web... but will signup for online training once our country, Namibia gets its new sea line, cable have finally reached our shores this week...

Multiply the 2D software packages tool menus by at least 3 and you get and idea of vastness of these programs abilities...

If someone ever brings out a short and sweet DVD as to all the tools and what ever of ZB, even though it could expand out to 5 DVD set, I be the first to purchase...

Be patient...
(member.php?u=197848)

[martiangirl]

Hi Sigmund Hentze, I totally agree with you. Time and Patience :)

We never stop learning and thats half the fun to be honest. I love it when I have learnt (finally) how to do something new, it makes the end result more satisfying.

I do understand the frustration and the urgency to learn new software as soon as is humanly possible-I am unemployed and need to learn this asap before my saving run out so that I can apply for jobs :) but I found earlier on I was so panicky about learning it quickly that I was just getting more frustrated and yes there were a few tears. I went on you tube, I bought books (which are for the 3.5 version) I scoured forums and have just signed up for Zbrush workhops ( money I don't really have to spare but its an investment in my future)

I think the key thing is to network, make friends share what you have discovered with others and they will share with you

I had never used any previous version of Zbrush and had no prior experience or knowledge of 3d I have been learning it for just over a month now- I have a LONG way to go with it all but I will get there.

[MaxLenneper]

Hey.
I don't mean to argue, and I see your point - but that doesn't only apply to Zbrush alone. Some are easier to get into (like Mudbox, I heard) but those can usually only get you so far, while other more complex apps can go way beyond.

There's tens of thousands of users, and they all somehow managed - even without buying books on zBrush or being tutored. Sure, it takes a lot of research and reading tutorials and whatever, but it's the same with Photoshop, for example. (There's plenty of information out there and other users, even in this forum, who do not only have excellent skills, but are also kind enough to take their time to help others.)
I doubt many people properly learned to use photoshop merely by reading the documentation you get by pressing F1.
(big props to pixologic for the on-the-fly-help via tooltip at this point)

The Interface and navigation of ZBrush may be confusing to someone who has entered the realm of 3D by learning Max or Maya (which is what I did), but I think if one started off with ZBrush, one would get into it pretty quickly.

So like others said before me, patience. It definitely pays of, and at some point using Zbrush to sculpt and paint starts to feel natural.

And no, people here are not too "elitist" to help newcomers, as you claim.

[unclecharlie]

I have to agree with some of the things dysamoria complains about -- the interface is overwhelmingly complicated, the menus are bizarrely arranged, there are a few very introductory documents, most intermediate level tutorials assume much more knowledge of the program and process than is possible for newer users and the Wiki is so out of date it is a waste of time. Things seem to have changed drastically with each upgrade so that those of us that are new can't rely on manuals or videos that were made for older versions. Many tutorials made for version 4 assume a working knowledge of version 3.

The best resource I have found for rank beginners is a set of videos on youtube by cannedmushrooms. They are not perfect -- he often only half describes a command ("control-click" to edit topology instead of "control-click then left click and repeat"), makes a move so fast that you miss it or provides a partially completed file without explaining how he set it up. But it is a very detailed and seemingly complete set of lessons geared towards his college level students, starting with two or three chapters on interface and customization. (Don't skip the early chapters.) You can buy his videos on DVD but he has broken links in several places and it took me a while to find the actual sales page with updated discs. But they are all on youtube for free if you have the patience. Oddly, they don't turn up if you search youtube for Zbrush tutorials, but they do if you search for Zbrush4 or cannedmushrooms.

[martiangirl]

Yes you are right Uncle Charlie, alot of the information does assume that you have previous knowledge of Zbrush, I found that very frustrating also.

[dysamoria]

thanks martiangirl and unclecharlie for speaking up and doing so a lot more eloquently than i did. indeed, having learned 3D and, more so, 2D to a proficient level in other apps actually makes it harder to learn ZBrush because ZBrush wants to be its own thing. this is opposite to how things usually go where familiarity with one or two tools makes learning the next one easier. this is why so many people complain about ZBrush's design.

[dysamoria]

i should add that, despite my complaints about ZBrush and the lack of newbie level, step by step training, i think Martin does a fantastic job with how he uses his voice in the Pixologic videos. i've looked at a lot of tutorial videos on YouTube and none of them compare in sound quality and professionalism in how speaking is executed. Martin speaks clearly, with no filler (none of the "you know" "um" "uh" stuff). his quality of voice is excellent in general, as well. good job Martin! :) if only Luxology's Modo videos were this easy to listen to!!!

[dysamoria]

There's tens of thousands of users, and they all somehow managed - even without buying books on zBrush or being tutored.

i think a lot of those people grew with the tool. many others may not have a long history of using other graphics apps. still more have different ways of mental processing (i'm very visual, where many 3D tools tend to be very abstract... like Modo's Shader Tree), and so forth.


Sure, it takes a lot of research and reading tutorials and whatever, but it's the same with Photoshop, for example.

i disagree. Photoshop wasn't nearly as painful to learn, even way back when i first started. hell, even vector drawing tools weren't this frustrating for me to learn. yes, i have had to access reading materials for them, but i could explore on my own in Photoshop and Illustrator very rapidly after first exposure. i cannot do that at all with ZBrush, even still after two solid days of videos, reading, etc. what's worse is everything i know from all those other tools out there is obstructing my ability to absorb ZBrush methods and it's not everything ELSE that's at fault (it's ZBrush for being so contrary - i'm not going to argue about who's design is "right" because i spent enough time teaching human interface concepts elsewhere).


I doubt many people properly learned to use photoshop merely by reading the documentation you get by pressing F1.

honestly, that's how i learned it. almost 100%


The Interface and navigation of ZBrush may be confusing to someone who has entered the realm of 3D by learning Max or Maya (which is what I did), but I think if one started off with ZBrush, one would get into it pretty quickly.

yes, it's the truth. and that's a fault of Pixologic, not the users.


So like others said before me, patience. It definitely pays of, and at some point using Zbrush to sculpt and paint starts to feel natural.

i hope so. right now i have another trial project on hold because, while i was getting the hang of ZSpheres, ZBrush decided to crash on me when previewing the skin. that's not my fault.


And no, people here are not too "elitist" to help newcomers, as you claim.

i was directing that remark at mr antipathy, a few posts up, not everyone. yes, there are good people here. i apologize for the unintended suggestion that ALL ZBrush users are elitist jerks.

[bignewf]

Hey dysamoria,
Have you tried Youtube for beginner tutorials? A wonderful fellow on there who goes by the name 'cannedmushrooms' has literally hundreds of zbrush 4 videos.
LINK: http://www.youtube.com/user/cannedmushrooms#g/c/1EEE9B16E1AE1CCE

There is no shortage of information out there. You just need to be resourceful and patient. You don't do yourself any favors by pissing off the ZBrush Central Community. I have NEVER see a more helpful, or more giving group of people in my life than those who participate at ZBC. I certainly don't know everything there is to know about ZBrush (and probably never will) but I only blame myself for that.

[1magus]

Where is part 6 lol?

[saut]

I just got Z Brush and am going through the tutorial videos. In the 3rd video, "Review of the UI", you show how to drag the Chrome Material to a spot in the UI. First make sure "Enable Customize" is on. Then "hold down control key, click on the material and drag it to UI". I follow those steps but do not get the result--no little Crome Blue Tint icon just below the Z Brush menus.

I am on Mac OS 10.6. I also tried using the Command key instead, since that's usually the equivalent of Windows' Control. I tried Option, too. Please tell me what I'm doing wrong.

[bignewf]

Saut,
While Enable Customize is on you need to hold down CONTROL (not command) and ALT at the same time and drag the button you want to where you want. Even on a mac it's always CONTROL not command.

[Last-Gen-Labs]

I'm yet another beginner, struggling to get this stuff down. Currently at the zSphere / zSketching videos, things took an ugly turn.

First of all the narrator says the zSphere would change its color after you hit Shift+A. Guess what, it doesn't!
Pressing Shift + A doesn't even really put me into Sketching mode, I have to press the Edit button too in order to drag the spheres along like shown in the video, to mold a shape.
To make things worse, on the next video, Binding, none of what he says works anymore, pressing Shift + A a second time and all that.
I don't even know how to explain it because its nothing like shown in the video.
I guess the video tutorial uses zBrush 3.5, I have version 4. Could anyone explain how to properly use the sketching mode with my version.

Whenever I press edit zsketch again, I cant move or rotate or add ****! All it does is drawing new individual zspheres.
God dammit it pisses me off so bad cause I cant even explain this Zbull!:evil:

[MealeaYing]

I know exactly what you mean....
So heres a far better tutorial set to get you going:

http://www.3dtotal.com/team/Tutorials_3/zbrush_training/lesson_04/zbrush_lesson_04.asp

There are a bunch of lessons on that page, do the Zsphere stuff first, it will help with other things too.

Just take your time, once I got going things got better fast.


Cheers!

[jawa64]

@Last-Gen-Labs
read the link below and the pdfs in the Documentation folder
press this button till the sketch tools appear at the bottom. there are 2 types of zspheres which are an armature+ and zspheres 2 that help fill out forms the clay kind.


32611Capture.JPG

http://www.pixologic.com/docs/index.php/ZSketch

[Converse]

@ Last Gen Labs

Nothing has changed from 3.5r to 4 in the controls of zsketching I think you just got frustrated to quickly. shift+A does change the color but not dramatically it just slight change from Zsphere that is two toned to a Zsketch that is one toned color. Practice Practice Practice until you get the feel for it this is a powerful way to begin setting up sculpts.

[traviskh]

I'm reading lots of post (most of them more recent post) about how hard or easy it is to learn or if it is the learner's fault or the company's, interface or tool design. My opinion, it's all relative. It took me only two weeks watching the videos in the zclassroom and screwing around with the tools and techniques presented in those videos to get a good grasp on zbrush. (good grasp being knowing intuitively where the core tools are and how to use them without having to look them up) I could make meshes with zshperes, build and cut away at something, import, save and export meshes. It took me about 4 days to learn Maya's interface and about 2 weeks to learn the core concepts of modeling as well (extrude, subdivide, re-position, uv etc.)

I have spent two weeks trying to learn 3DS Max's interface and even with the videos I am struggling like no other. Different people learn different things at different paces. I think the interface for Zbrush is very easy to use and very easy to learn by yourself compared to something like Maya or Max. But again that is my opinion and preference.

If zbrush is tough to learn, take your time, watch the videos, then watch them again, take a break then watch them a third time. Yes, they only teach you a fraction of what you can do, but most programs are like that as well . Don't get discouraged, my advice is if you get stuck on something, just mess around with stuff and explore, see what things do for a little while then go back and maybe try another tutorial.

Once you learn the core of a technique, you can take that into another program Zbrush to Mudbox, Maya to Max. The tools might not be the same but the idea and process usually is. Maybe Max will be easier than Blender or Lightwave for you, maybe you will open Mudbox and find that it is easier to use than zbrush or vice versa.

It is sometimes hard to find and answer to your question that doesn't cost $50 worth of dvd tutorials, but try websites and forums and youtube (i hate searching for tutorials on youtube >_<) try to think outside the box and ask others for help. You are not alone in your endevors to learn this program :)

[martiangirl]

Well said Traviskh, I whole heartedly agree with everything you have said.
We are all different and we all learn in different ways and paces. Don't beat yourself up noobies( me included) just chill, don't get cross or fed up. You WILL get through the frustration and come out the other side.:)
We are all in the same boat and the Zbrush community is super helpful so ask away with your questions:) someone ,somewhere, on here will kindly take the time to explain to you where you are going wrong or point you in the direction or a very useful tutorial.

Happy Zbrushing from a fellow noob:)

[traviskh]

I know exactly what you mean....
So heres a far better tutorial set to get you going:

http://www.3dtotal.com/team/Tutorials_3/zbrush_training/lesson_04/zbrush_lesson_04.asp

There are a bunch of lessons on that page, do the Zsphere stuff first, it will help with other things too.

Just take your time, once I got going things got better fast.


Cheers!


Thanks!! I downloaded them all, including his maya and blender videos. Hopefully I will have time soon to watch them.

[MealeaYing]

GRIN!
You are very welcome!
And, I have a few more here some place...
< Loud rummaging noises >
Ahha....
Here they are:
http://www.thegnomonworkshop.com/store/category/168/

Theres some good stuff in there too, but best to do the ones from Mr Walsh first.

Cheers!
Mealea

[chris.3d]

Hello, a few months ago there was a zbrush tutorial in the zclassroom at the top under latest tutorials, that described a way to sculpt great looking rocks.

He used some kind of planar cut with spray alpha then added noise..


Anyways the video is gone and I would really like to check it out to see the specific steps the artist took!

Please help?

Where can I find this video?

[jawa64]

@chris.3d
I think you are speaking of the More about ZBrush 3.5 video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jVFyRfX84Dc

http://www.pixologic.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/zclassroomblog.jpg

here is one http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nX8MmMj4q8Q

[Salimbeni]

hi, i'm pretty new to zbrush and i'd really like to join this thread.. thanks

[pipecutter]

Howdy,

In my trial version I can't seem to get the Initialize panel to work properly for 3D objects. If I create a sphere or whatever, and try and manipulate it after clicking the POLY FRAME button, the various perimeter sliders in the initialize panel do not affect the object in real time. Only new objects are affected.

There must be something I am not aware of...can you shed some light on this?

Thanks

Rick

[tennet]

I'm not sure which the 'Poly Frame' button is (Shift+F ?).. The initialize menu is only available for parametric 3D Ztools. It can only be used with 3D-objects that have not been converted to polygons yet.

//tennet

[pipecutter]

Where is the Planar Cut Deep brush??

[saut]

As I'm following along the tutorials, I find that sometimes the "Edit" button cannot be activated. The only way I can get back to it is to quit and reopen Z-brush. I am using version 4.0 on a Mac. What am I doing to make Edit unavailable and what can I do to fix that?

[dysamoria]

As I'm following along the tutorials, I find that sometimes the "Edit" button cannot be activated. The only way I can get back to it is to quit and reopen Z-brush. I am using version 4.0 on a Mac. What am I doing to make Edit unavailable and what can I do to fix that?

This is one of the fundamentally retarded issues with ZBrush's basic design. What you're probably experiencing is that your model is being "dropped to the canvas." This happens because ZBrush is actually just a "2.5D" painting app with an ability to "model" what it considers "tools." So a "tool" can = a paint brush or a 3D object that you can apply to the 2D canvas. Once a model/Tool is dropped to the canvas, it no longer exists as a 3D object. It becomes part of the "2.5D" painting that's always there on your screen whether or not you plan to use it (or care about such a feature, which, IMO, most ZBrush users don't). This is why you cannot use the Edit button. There's nothing to edit any more.

What you need to do is look on your Tools palette to see if the last state of your model is stored there. You might want to clear the canvas before you start working on the "Tool" again, though. When you wish to save your models, you must save it as a Tool, in the Tool palette, not as a document.

Surely other posters can give you more details, but this is one of the things i hate most about ZBrush. It's just not built to BE a 3D modeler. Proper behavior for this kind of thing is in Sculptris...

[calico1]

When you first bring in a mesh through IMPORT you need to hit the Edit button immediately or you will not be able to do it after you begin tooling with the mesh.



As I'm following along the tutorials, I find that sometimes the "Edit" button cannot be activated. The only way I can get back to it is to quit and reopen Z-brush. I am using version 4.0 on a Mac. What am I doing to make Edit unavailable and what can I do to fix that?

[larryfroot]

Hello and a big thanks for the excellent beginners video tutorials. I am so impressed by the effort that you guys have gone through to make this software so accessible through training. Have a problem though - the videos at:

http://www.pixologic.com/zclassroom/homeroom/tutorial.php?lesson=zspheres

are missing or are giving error messages about the paths in the xml file. Basically a 'video cannot be found, check the paths in the xml file'

Hope this can be sorted soon as I am really getting to grips with zbrush and this is a spanner in my works!

Thanks again for a fantastic learning resource(s) - Larry

[himadri_sm]

thanx a lot for these videos but is there any way to download & save these for later use?

[larryfroot]

For some unknown but very welcome reason the videos are playing really well now! :)

[Lroling]

I followed most of the videos and they're really great to follow. I'm new to the whole 3d thing however and while I was trying on some small experiment I kind of got stuck when it came to texturing, spotlight, polypainting and UV maps (read: utterly confused, so if anyone can help me out I would be beyond grateful).

I was sculpting some quick fish and was planning on exporting it to Cinema4d, all fine. However I thought of texturing the fish. So I did with Spotlight. Then I decided to polypaint some over the texture. I saved the fish as ZTL and the OBJ. However now the confusion begins; I don't know how to export. In my Zbrush I can get my fishtool back, and the fish 'looks' textured and all, but everywhere in the tools I look I can't find an actual texture map or something. I thought it's because I have to make some kind of UV map for the texture with the UV master plugin...however the rub is there before unwrapping my fish I have to reduce the polygons first; when making a clone it doesn't reduce anything.....and at the Geometry tool I found out I can't really reduce the polygons of my fish anymore...(flail: something went greatly wrong here).. Everything considering geometry is unselectable (can't subdivide, can't undivide, can't do anything; I am in edit mode though). The high polygon rate is a much too high rate for my computer to handle the unwrapping of the fish, my programme keeps freaking and closing down. When clicking to make the fish a polymesh 3d however once (after that attempt later on after my computer freaked it didn't work anyway), I could reduce the polygons, however then my whole texture seemed gone and my fish was a palewhite again while I 'think' I needed the texture anyway.

I'm completely confused, and I don't even know if my story makes sense. I don't know what to do from here, I'm completely stuck.

In short; I'm trying to export both the OBJ file of the fish WITH the texture (both made with Spotlight and the polypaint tool) to Cinema4d.

[Lroling]

Great videotutorials and very helpful!

Warning: the next things to come, come from a newb who's completley new to everything considering 3d modelling:

I decided to mess around some for the first time with Zbrush and decided on trying to get some sculpted fish exported to cinema4d. However I encountered some problems and now I'm fairly to extremely stuck....

I sculpted a fish (and maybe quite recklesslessly I subdivided and subdivided the mesh). Then I textured it using Spotlight and Polypaint.
Here comes the rub: I only really know how to export the OBJ and haven't really found how to export the textures. I figured I might have to use the UV master to make a UV map with the texture embedded in there (correct me if I'm completely wrong!)....
The problem there is I don't really know if I'm just getting the lighting and 3d information to create some template without the texture. Other than that when creating a cloned object it doesn't return to it's most basic polygon level but the fish remains having the ridiculous amount of polygons; when unwrapping my programme crashes. I tried to reduce the number of polygons thorugh geometry, however there's nothing that's selectable in that section... I can't subdivide or undivide, not increase and not decrease polygons. (My fish is in editing mode though).
Only if I make a polymesh3d (again? I don't understand) I can reduce the polygons...but then my texture gets lost.
What bothers me aswell is even though I have a ZTL of my fish and an OBJ; in Zbrush it's textured. I can't seem to find any reference to some kind of texture in my tool palette....

If the above just seems like odd non understandable rambling without an end my issue is this: I don't know how to export both my fish and my texture to cinema4d. Everything I tried didn't work and I encountered a lot of problems.

Last but not least: the difference between texturing, polypainting and UV mapping fairly confuses me and I think that's the origin of my complete journey of flaws and failure towards creating my fish of doom. :lol:

[Stufflebeam]

Hey, I have been sculpting for just a little while now and I am loving Zbrush! It's great to take my traditional and digital painting experience into the 3D realm.

But here is my problem / question:

I am one that likes to tap my pen while adding textures.
Z-brush is set up so that Alt changes Zadd to Zsub, which I love!

So, Why on earth is Alt-singleClick - Frame Ztool? Does anyone else see this as a problem? I would be brushing on textures and my frame jumps to Fit Mesh to View. I looked onto the Zbrush wiki that tells how to change shortcuts, but when I Ctrl-alt click on Frame and hit Del to get rid of the short-cut, it says that it is standard and cannot be deleted. I don't want to get rid of the 'F' shortcut, just the Alt-click.

I mean, I can completely work around this, but it would help so much with the fluidity of my workflow. So, let me know what you think! Is there a way to fix this? Is it ever an issue for you? How do you work around it?

Thanks so much for running such a wonderful forum, and I am looking forward to knowing what you think!
And more so, Thank you for simply one of the finest application ever built. I love Z-brush, and the Z-brush team!

-Stufflebeam.

[A.Lex79]

Hi,

Im new to ZBrush so I obviously have some beginner problems using the software.

Looking and remaking the Alien Helmet I encountered a problem at the "using Unified Skin" part. After applying the Unified Skin and trying to show only a single PolyF I dont get the hollow part like in the tutorial, instead I get the whole part of chosen poly (attachement)
I also noticed that the "Border" slider in Unified Skin is not active by me.

What are the solutions to this 2 problems?

Hopefully its clear whats the issues are here and tnx for any advice upfront.

[FenixFrank]

Hi there, I'm trying to learn with the video tutorials but I'm a little stuck in the planar trim brushes part, specifically in the "move brush" video. I'm not able to find the Move 2 and the other brushes mentioned there. I'm using Zbrush 4, could someone tell me where to find/download this brushes? Thanks in advance.