ZBrushCentral

Bump Map Artifacts

ZBrush Usage Questions
#1

We are creating a bump map but have run into a problem (see attached).

We apply the “Bump Viewer” material to our model, drop it with Projection Master, select “3D plane” as our tool using “Drag Rec” for a stroke and select our texture.

If we choose the default “Brush 00” (the square one) an use it all is as we expect it to be (see attached image (left leg)).

HOWEVER if we choose any other brush (like brush 06 so we can have the texture feathered at the edges) we get a tiny bump artifact that appears between the larger bumps (see attached image (right leg marked with arrows))

We have tried importing a number of custom brushes and textures using a wide variety of bit depths etc. but can not get ride of these artifacts.

We could just use the “00” brush but we can not get it to have a soft, feathered edge.

Attachments

Picture 2.jpg

#2

Try using the Directional Brush instead of the Plane3D. You’ll still want the DragRect stroke type. This brush lets you rotate the alpha while you drag it out, giving more ready control.

One thing to keep in mind is that the Texture palette is an 8-bit depth while the Alpha palette is 16-bit depth. As such, you can get artifacts from the texture that you would not get from an equivalent 16-bit alpha.

#3

Thanks for the reply but that’s a no go.

However it did get me thinking. I was able to get ride of the artifacts by using the simple brush tool a 06 alpha (feathered) and the Drag Rec combination.

Only thing is I can not rotate the texture (either in real time as I could with the 3D plane or directional tool or with the gyro after the fact)

#4

A little more flaying and we found a work around.

We set our tool to the Depth Brush, used an “06” alpha with a drag res stroke.

All is working well not. Thanks for your help.

THX
R