ZBrushCentral

ARTCAM vs Zbrush for CARVING

ZBrush Usage Questions
#1

Can I created 3D carved ornament like can be done in ARTCAM? How does Zbrush compare for this? Is anyone using Zbrush for carving ornament that goes to CNC?

I am a clasically trained woodcarver and am now getting into CAD designing and transitioning to CNC router based woodworking. I plan to buy a cintiq digital on-screen drawing tablet. I would love to be able to use Zbrush or something to simulate carving gouges and carve onscreen… is this a non-existent reality at the moment?

Attached is the kind of ornament I want to produce digitally. We hand-carved this china cabinet in California.Karas jpg 190.jpg

#2

I am an artcam user and like you trying to use zbrush to model woodcarving for production on a cnc machine. I am new to it and having a hard time getting my head around the way it works. It’s a very different approach from artcam or cad. I think that it will be very good when I get how to use it.

I have modeled a few simple objects and they transfer well to artcam for toolpathing. I’d be interested in how you progress with your zbrush models.

#3

There are other programs you could look into that go from Z brush stl files to cnc.

Such as art to part !

The final product will depend on your axis & drill bits ,but you can get very fine large pieces,where as 3d print can only go so big.Its all swings and roundabouts.

These are straight forward tools & both took in zbrush .stl with no problems.

http://www.vectric.com/

&

http://www.grzsoftware.com/

Both has tutorials & trials ,i think its meshcam has a separate tool path generator .

These are likeable software & cheap and for a non tech idiot like me,brill.

I hope to get grips with a 4 axis cnc machine soonish.

ps

Make sure your cnc has a nice amount of memory for tool path output,then you are away!

Hope this info helps out.

#4

Hi, there!
I am in the same position you were a year ago. Trying to decide if it pays to use zbrush modeling for cnc output. (wooden ornaments and frames) Or just artcam will do? Any advice? Thank you!