First ZBrush Model

[Theocles]

These plugins are very awesome! They save so much time!

Here is my feedback on the export data I just tried:

System Info:
OS Name Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
Version 5.1.2600 Service Pack 3 Build 2600
OS Manufacturer Microsoft Corporation
System Name THEOCLES
System Manufacturer Sony Corporation
System Model PCV-RS420(UC)
System Type X86-based PC
Processor x86 Family 15 Model 2 Stepping 9 GenuineIntel ~2793 Mhz
BIOS Version/Date American Megatrends Inc. 2001, 8/8/2003
SMBIOS Version 2.3
Windows Directory C:\WINDOWS
System Directory C:\WINDOWS\system32
Boot Device \Device\HarddiskVolume2
Locale United States
Hardware Abstraction Layer Version = “5.1.2600.5512 (xpsp.080413-2111)”
User Name THEOCLES\Paul
Time Zone Central Daylight Time
Total Physical Memory 1,024.00 MB
Available Physical Memory 704.16 MB
Total Virtual Memory 2.00 GB
Available Virtual Memory 1.96 GB
Page File Space 6.91 GB
Page File C:\pagefile.sys

File Data:

Artifice.ztl 127,805 KB TotalPoints: 7.825 Mil w:6" h:20" d:8.69"
No Decimation export: Artifice.stl 764,103 KB (a large file, almost impossible to deal with stl in other software - at least on my machine.)

Artifice_20_Decimated.ztl 47,041 KB TotalPoints: 1.565 Mil
PreProcess All: ~ 10 mins.
Decimate All: ~ 2 mins.
20% of Decimation export: Artifice_20_Decimated.stl 152,788 KB (manageable)

Artifice_50_Decimated.ztl 120,056 KB TotalPoints: 3.912 Mil
Decimate All: ~ 5 mins.
50% of Decimation export: Artifice_50_Decimated.stl 382,060 KB (not so manageable)

These plugins rock! Thank you so much! I’ve only tried the above exports so far, just in the last hour. Kudos to the engineering community to better enable us artists!

I’m going to further manipulate these stl exports with Materialise’s “Magics” software over the next few days. Magics has some very powerful tools to manipulate the shells, such as hollowing selected parts (very useful for bronzing and also to reduce print material and cost), shrink-wrapping bad tools, boolean functions, repair of bad geometry/holes, auto-dividing large models, ect… They also have some very interesting possibilities for printing large models, and even directly in bronze! There’s a file compressor, even in their freeware version, Minimagics, similar to zip function, built in (handy to transfer files over internet.)

ZCorp also has exciting oportunities and similar software as well! They can print in various materials, print in color (your textured models), in investment wax, and even in a sand-binder for bronze molds!

Such exciting possiblities for bronze sculptors!

[Totyo]

Thank you for your feedback for the plugins. But I think you can go down to 10% of decimation. Your model seems to not having very small details, then it should be ok

[abe_Tamazir]

great sculpt!love it

[nickz]

More pictures please!!!

[ncollings]

looking cool

[Moni-Poroni]

What a beautiful piece! Great job!
And the print looks awesome!

[Theocles]

thanks guys! I’m so tired! 400 mile round trip today to Houston AGS 3D. Barry printed the full model for me overnight. I’ll add some good stills of it tomorrow, but wanted to post this tonight. The model, is so awesome to view in person… I can’t describe how happy I am with it! I’m thinking about selling the rp copies! haha! Way beyond what I thought was possible.

On a sad note, my mom is very ill. Say a prayer for me/her. She almost past away yesterday, from complications of Alzheimer’s.

I did not have time to work with Magics, but I ftp’ed the file to Materialise’s Application Engineer, Jon Moss, and he worked his Magic on the stl file; it had some difficult errors in the wings. Also, he took the 20% Decimation file at 150MB, and emailed me the repaired file at 6MB! Emailed?! To think, I starting this with 1GB of stl files! I’ll have to get him to better explain what Magic he used on it.

Also, Thomas (Totyo) was right, I could have used 10% Decimation on it. There was excess resolution at 20%.

Follow this link to view the new 360 rp model Barry made this afternoon, while I was there:
http://pauleffinger.com/bronzes/artifice/artifice.html

Attachments

[nickz]

Great update! Thanks for the 360 movie! The wings turned out great!!!

[system]

Awesome model. By the way, Hello Steve!

[Theocles]

thanks nick! I’ve admired your work for a while, esp. your Spartan! email me when u have a chance…

The rp model is 14" tall. Some of the feathers are so thin, they’re translucent! I’m going to work on bronzing it now, but it may take months, it’s a slow process for that.

some pics of the print:

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[cherub_rock]

Cool model, nice balance

[The_Namek]

That is amazing , very nice work.

[Erklaerbar]

this looks awesome, id be very interested to hear the steps you take for bronzing this model. Obviously just if you have time and passion to explain

[Theocles]

Finally an update… I’m creating two more rapid prototypes of Artifice for bronzing - one life-size and one 20" tall. This new technology is so cool!

If you’re planning to rapid prototype anything soon, or bronze your next 3D model, this may be of use to you. It’s often critical to hollow a bronze to cast it properly.

Hollowings are useful if you want to rapid prototype too, since it may cut your volume space by 50% or more, and also your printing cost. The standard rate for 3D printing bureaus are $100 per cubic inch… imagine what you’ll save!

I’ve uploaded a tutorial on my site on how I hollowed my Angel using the Magics software:

http://pauleffinger.com/tutorials/magics/tutorial_magics.htm

This technology saves so much time compared to the traditional bronzing methods of creating rubber molds, wax positives, ect.! This model would have been nearly impossible to bronze the old way since the hair has so many intricate cavities.

hope it helps… Paul

I’ll upload more pics of the rp models soon.

[Theocles]

Here’s a few models I’ve worked on lately for bronze designs, and a few updated pics.

Anyone else successfully producing bronzes from ZBrush?

I’ve tried casting several 20" wax-cellulose 3DP’s of Artifice from ZCorp but the printer lines all showed up in the bronze! I also received several nice SLA prints from Envirotec Ultra machine (1000 dpi) and they are good to mold from but only a 10" build height. ZCorp obtained a license to distribute the printer as ZBuilder Ultra.

Materialise can produce 3D prints up to 7’ height at hi-resolution in various plastics, but they’re quite expensive. The plastics can be directly invested or molded. I got a ballpark quote for 4’ high Volnus at $35K. It may be worth it on commissions of several copies produced - sure beats sculpting a large model in foam and/or clay for months!

thanks in advance,

Paul

Attachments

[Theocles]

A better render of Artifice model too.

[INFINITE]

INCREDIBLE. My jaw has dropped. You are on to something big here for sure. New age.

Beautiful ZB sculpts and finally results are superb.

[caffeineandpixels]

I stiff don’t understand why no one is using ZBrush to make latex masks or prosthetics for makeup effects.

[Pro4210]

Great models and thanks for all the info

Is the 35k making it worthwhile finiancially.
I have no idea about comparative prices when it comes to bronze statues.

[Nubus]

I love this work and its awesome to see casting done from your prints. I am using a zcorp printer as well and I noticed when I use the .35 layer setting instead of the .40 default most of my printer lines disappear. Currently I am working on a 52" tall print and I hope to cast from it but have little experience with casting so I am relying on a foundry that a friend of mine works at to aid me a bit. Fantastic to see your thread. Thank you.