First time with a graphics tablet, and Zbrush

[system]

Hey all.

Just got my Intuos 4 Medium.

I downloaded the latest drivers from the Wacom site, and I’m running ZBrush 4R2.

The touch ring on the tablet seems to work fine with the Draw Size;
but I can’t get ZBrush to recognise pressure sensitivity.

Maybe I’m supposed to map the pressure sensitivity first;
but I’m new to ZBrush as well, and can’t seem to find any ‘options’ panel to set this up.

I know for a fact that the tablet isn’t defective, because the, uh, pressure sensitivity gauge on the Wacom software reads the sensitivity just fine.

So…anyone care to tell me what I should be doing at this stage?

[system]

A bit of an update: seems like the pressure sensitivity DOES work somehow. But non of the sliders seems to respond to any changes in pressure. It’s only in the actual sculpting where I seem to notice the effect. Is this how it’s supposed to work?

[Gridlost]

ok you can set your tablet setting in Wacom tablet properties program, located in your Wacom programs folder. there you can adjust your pressure sensitivity, hot keys, touch ring and so on. Zbrush also has a few tablet options. Preference>Tablet. I would not monkey with the Zbrush settings, other than turning on the tablet option. I would make adjustments in wacom first. also you can set your tablet to have its own setting just for Zbrush. Welcome to a whole new world of Sculpting ! once you get the hang of it you will love it!

Keep in mind you will have to rethink your keyboard short cuts. now that you are using a tablet it will get in the way of your keyboard as you use it. I need to find a keyboard tray with some kind of pose able extension arm…

[system]

Thanks for the reply!

So you’re saying that the Z Intensity slider won’t be affected by the pressure sensitivity of the tablet, but the program would still somehow acknowledge changes in pressure in the actual sculpting process?

I normally don’t use my keyboard at all with all the other CAD software I use (SolidWorks, Rhino, Inventor). I have a Belkin n52te keypad which I use for all of my shortcuts (or, in case of Rhino, macros). So I guess I should be okay, as long as I can figure out what the different shortcuts are in ZBrush so I can map them to different keys on the Nostromo.

ZBrush seems fairly intuitive; but I’m just a bit lost with trying to sculpt something out of a simple sphere (blame my lack of talent and creative vision)! Maybe I should try importing a base model built in something else, and use that to get a hang around this new method of 3D modelling. I hear a lot of people build their base models in something like 3D Coat, then import it into ZBrush to all the finer detailing stuff.

[Zeddicus]

I know for a fact that the tablet isn’t defective, because the, uh, pressure sensitivity gauge on the Wacom software reads the sensitivity just fine.

A bit of an update: seems like the pressure sensitivity DOES work somehow. But non of the sliders seems to respond to any changes in pressure. It’s only in the actual sculpting where I seem to notice the effect. Is this how it’s supposed to work?

So you’re saying that the Z Intensity slider won’t be affected by the pressure sensitivity of the tablet, but the program would still somehow acknowledge changes in pressure in the actual sculpting process?

Forgive me, but it sounds as if you expect the z-intensity slider to dynamically move up and down on it’s own while making strokes on your mesh. It doesn’t work that way, though it would be neat if there was some kind of indication beyond what you see happening to your mesh. Sorry if I’ve misunderstood your comments.

[Gridlost]

Forgive me, but it sounds as if you expect the z-intensity slider to dynamically move up and down on it’s own while making strokes on your mesh. It doesn’t work that way, though it would be neat if there was some kind of indication beyond what you see happening to your mesh. Sorry if I’ve misunderstood your comments.

oh ya, if that what he meant, then ya it your right it wont do that. But it will spill clay more intensely faster depending on the brush you are using.

[Gridlost]

Thanks for the reply!

So you’re saying that the Z Intensity slider won’t be affected by the pressure sensitivity of the tablet, but the program would still somehow acknowledge changes in pressure in the actual sculpting process?

I normally don’t use my keyboard at all with all the other CAD software I use (SolidWorks, Rhino, Inventor). I have a Belkin n52te keypad which I use for all of my shortcuts (or, in case of Rhino, macros). So I guess I should be okay, as long as I can figure out what the different shortcuts are in ZBrush so I can map them to different keys on the Nostromo.

ZBrush seems fairly intuitive; but I’m just a bit lost with trying to sculpt something out of a simple sphere (blame my lack of talent and creative vision)! Maybe I should try importing a base model built in something else, and use that to get a hang around this new method of 3D modelling. I hear a lot of people build their base models in something like 3D Coat, then import it into ZBrush to all the finer detailing stuff.

hmmm… I had not considered a Nostromo. I shall have to look into that. As far as creative flow, try going through some of the tutorials on the main website, do some follow through they have. you will get a good feel for Zbrush. also try hitting Zbrush Workshop website, they have a couple of free projects there for making characters. A cowboy and a zombie i think. Also try Youtube. CannedMushroom’s page has some great stuff.

Happy Sculpting!