ZBrush Tutorial

[ub52]

I used Winzip 8.1 to create the archive on a Win2K machine. I just downloaded the files again from the above link and it worked fine. Possibly you are using an older version of Winzip. You might also try copying the files to 3 floppies and see if you can get extracted that way. If you continue to have problems let me know and I'll create the files with another archive utility. What is your preferrence? Keep in mind the PDF is about 1.2 meg and there is 500K filesize limit on uploaded files to the board, so whatever archive utility I use must support splitting the file.

Regards.
- Bob

[Grub]

Thanks for posting the informative Tutorial Ken, I'm especially interested in trying out the bump mapping methods you describe.

Ub52- I have windows 2000 and winzip 8.1, but could not unzip your tutorial also. Why not compress you file with a 'rar' archive format, if you have winrar or similar. They work really well with multiple files.

[ub52]

OK, lets give this a try. My evaluation period ran out on Winrar so I can't create a split archive with it. But..., I have Winace which does, and Winrar V2.71 was able to extract the file from the Winace split archive, so I'll upload the file that way. One other problem is the forum will only allow ".txt", ".zip", ".ztl", ".zmt", or ".psd" files to be uploaded, SO, I'll upload these as ZB2LW_ace.zip and ZB2LW_c00.zip. When you get them on your machine rename them to be ZB2LW.ace and ZB2LW.coo respectively. Boy, could we make this any more complex. Sheez.

Anyone have other ideas. I don't currently have a web site or I'd post it there, sorry.

- Bob

OK, here's the first file.
ZB2LW_ace.zip

[ub52]

And the second file.
ZB2LW_c00.zip

Let me know if this works out. If not we'll try something else.

- Bob

[Hanuman]

bugger, I'm getting the same problem. I'd love to see this tut on rebuilding a mesh.

[Mentat7]

I just sent you a private message UB52

[Nikko]

If anyone wants it, I can send it to you, with Bob's permission, I presume, since he posted it. It is 1.2Mb, and I could attach it to an email.

Pretty nifty tutorial there, Bob! Thanks for sharing this info and your time!

And Ken, awesome tutorial! Thank you for sharing YOUR time and info with the rest of us!


Both of these outstanding pieces of work are worth your time if you're considering using the applications in this manner!

[ub52]

No problem Nikko. Propogate the info. That's what it's all about. Thanks for asking.

Lonnie - I sent you an email with the attached PDF. Did you get it?

- Bob

[ub52]

Hanuman,

I believe you sent me a private message with a request for the PDF. I sent it. Did you get it?

- Bob

[Hanuman]

Just got that bob, it's fantastic. I don't have lightwave but I've got pixelstudio3.7 and I hope I can make the techniques work.

[Mentat7]

It hasn't shown up yet Bob.

[aurick]

To answer your previous question, Hanuman, regarding bump maps in other apps:

Bump maps do not actually affect the geometry of an object. Instead, it is a trick of lighting that casts highlights and shadows as if the object actually had those bumps on its surface. The result is that the effect is most believeable with parts of the object that face the camera. The closer an edge gets to curving away from the camera, the less convincing the bumps become.

What ZBrush does when you apply an alpha as a mask and inflate to create bumps is the equivalent of a feature found in several of the high end programs called Displacement mapping. This does actually change the object's geometry during the render process. Unfortunately, it comes at a price since it usually requires a very polygon-heavy object in order for the effect to look good. Also, since it is a render process it naturally adds to the rendering time. In ZBrush, the technique also requires a pretty high mesh density but it does not add to render time.

[ub52]

Mentat7,

I just sent you the file again. Let me know.

- Bob