ZBrushCentral

Getting into the Industry?

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#1

Hi guys,

In the past I have tried learning Maya and Max but have never really been all that great at producing anything worthy of keeping. Lately, I haven’t been modelling, which is probably a bad act on my part, but I’m wondering if there is a way of getting into the gaming industry with just ZBrush “knowledge”?

I’ve never used ZBrush, but would like to give it a go. Thing I really want to know is whether or not I’d need to learn another 3D application along with ZBrush in order to have any chance at one day getting a career.

Any information on this would be great.

All the best
-bathurstt

#2

Getting into the industry with only one skill set will be very difficult. I’m not saying that it isn’t possible, it just isn’t realistic to think that you can.

If you think about the number of people competing for the same job as you, and having a greater skill set than you then you will see that only working in Zbrush all day everyday is basically a pipe dream.

Moreover, what do you mean, the “industry”? Which one? VFX, Games, animations, stills, toys, sculpture? Zbrush is used in a rather wide range of industries that you can’t just say, the industry.

Anyway, if you want to work only in Zbrush, then realistically you’d better be the best damn sculptor the world has ever seen…or a close second anyway.

#3

There are more demands for the [Jack of all trades, Master of One] type.

Meaning, the ones who are brilliant at a certain field, and yet can work adequately on just about anything.

And surprisingly, there are more than enough of these nowadays.

It`s due to the fact that when ones learn arts of a certain field,
they automatically learn the arts of a related field.

Knowledge alone won`t get you anywhere.

#4

you would probably have more luck in advertising. but i would learn zbrush because you like it, not because you can make a job of it.

#5

I’ve never properly considered which part of the industry I’d like to join, but there are a few from the list that appeal to me. Mainly games, toys and sculpture.

By the looks of things it looks like i’m going to have to try Max again, see if I can implement Max and ZBrush together. I just have a quick query though… Does it matter if I make a base mesh in Max/Maya and then export to ZBrush, or just finish the majority of the model in ZBrush and then do finishing touches within Max/Maya?

Thanks for the replies guys, much appreciated.
-bathurstt

#6

Yeah, you probably should take up Max or Maya (i suggest maya…even though I don’t use it).

Your workflow seems about half right to me. You can start in Max, Maya, etc or right inside of Zbrush (depending on what needs to be made). Then you do up all your pretty stuff in Zbrush. Then you export to your 3d modeling app for renders.

Some people will do up the majority of their models inside of a traditional 3d app and use Zbrush for polypainting and detail work. I don’t know why they do…old habits die hard I suppose.

#7

If you`re going to go for game, you need to learn animation as well.

And for that very reason, ZBrush alone won`t be enough.

As for the basemesh issue, it`s not really matter as long as the end result is OK.