ZBrushCentral

Axis control? Snapping? 4 viewports? Grid?

ZBrush Usage Questions
#1

I am pretty new to Zbrush. Coming from other packages like c4d, maya, xsi, lightwave. I can’t seem to get anything going. I don’t understand how to build a model out on just one axis. I am using zspheres and they just float around wherever they want in 3d space. I also have problem with the rotation of the zspheres. When I smooth out the zspheres, parts of the polygon mesh start twisting between zspheres. I just need to understand how to snap and lock down the axis when modeling. Is there a 4 viewports in zbrush? Is there a refference grid in zbrush?

Thanks

#2

I believe all of the answers to your questions lie in the help section of Zbrush, and the Practical Manual, which can be downloaded from Zbrush.com. Zbrush is a hybrid 2D/3D application, so things are a little different.

#3

Well okay… Did that. I’ll answer my questions to help out the lurkers whom might have similar questions.

There is no way to restrict axis, it is dependent on symmetry tools. Symmetry tools are located in transform. Symmetry tools X Y Z can only be active or activated when edit mode is on.

There is no grid.

There is only one viewport. You can hold shift while rotating view to snap into a top, front, side views. (rotate view by click dragging off of object)

Fixing twists for zspheres is easy. Make sure you are in edit mode. Turn on rotate. Hold down alt while rotating a zsphere. You will notice the orientation of the selected zsphere will change as well as its children.

There are no snapping tools. You can shift rotate objects into a snapped position.

#4

you did your homework Bucket!

zbrush as you have found out is not a regular modeler. It is it’s own unique animal. And after a bit of experimenting you will see that while some things could use some tweaking…all is as it should be for such a tool. It is way more intuitive …truly than anything out there. Free your mind from thinking it should be like everything else and zbrush will zoom at you at lightspeed.

and as mentioned previously download the Practical guide…it will help take you thru steps rather quickly and be up and running in no time. The link to it…if you haven’t already got it…is in my signature.

let go and enjoy the addiction.

#5

Glad to hear you found the answers easily :slight_smile:

#6

You’ll find buttons for restricting which axis a point moves along in the Transform palette below the symmetry buttons. If I remember right it works for zspheres as well.

#7

AND… If you pop the Transform Menue open and make INFO visible you can see/edit the three dimensions of your object manually to PRECISELY move it where you wish. 2 minute sample:

[[img]http://img219.echo.cx/img219/9397/yallgotgridsjpg9qe.jpg[/img]](http://www.imageshack.us) LemonNado the Lurker :lol:

PS:Only snapshot and edits of the coordinates. Well… tedious but it works. Maybe a zscript for grid like movements would be cool. On the other hand… imho… out of the ZB focus…

PPS:… Who needs Grid’s anyway :wink: This is soooo much more fun: