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Gradient Question...

ZBrush Usage Questions
#1

Hello,

Can someone tell me how to create a smooth gradient from the image shown.

[img]http://www2.zbrushcentral.com/uploaded_from_zbc/200406/user_image-1086448117dyb.jpg[/img]

I basically want to generate a gradient from the yellow to the top blue. I know that I can use the gradient alpha and I can also use the Rectangle stroke, however I’m not sure how to use the stencil to create the gradient so that does not interfere with the black shape.

Also as a workaround, I created a rectangular gradient on a layer (which covered the black area as well), so I erased out the gradient on the black area (to recover it), however when I came to Merge the layers (ZAdd on), I discovered the gradient disappeared. Any ideas ?

#2

For the stencil (if your black is a pure black (0,0,0,)
Just grabb the screen
Menu Alpha : Make stencil :slight_smile:
You can use it for your gradiant :slight_smile:
Pilou

#3

Hello Fenchy,

Many thanks for your reply, however I seem to be having problems here.

First of all I’m doing a 2D painting (RGB). I grabbed the document and made the stencil, however the alpha shows up as a white rectangle. Is this correct ?

My understanding is that by grabbing the screen and making a stencil is that it created a mask of the image ??

Sorry, Frenchy, I’m having trouble here with this, how can I now use the gradient tool to effect the yellow and blue regions ?

Also, what happens if it not pure black ??

#4

Stencil works in conjuntion with Alpha. From the alpha pallete, pick your alpha, then press make stencil. if you are getting a little box, you probably need to scale your stencil. press the spacebar near the center of box, then press MOV on the coin to move it. If you use MOV/ROT instead it will shimmy from the z-depth.
If you want to derive it from your canvas, 1st use the MRGB grabber, turn that to an alpha, then taht to a stencil.

If there is another way to do this, feel free to add in some more. zb is full of various ways to do things.

–ADDED–

another thing could be to use layers so your black is separate from the rest. That way you can make a gradient, and not worry about the black.

#5

Hi Guys,

Many thanks for your help, I’ve found a good workaround which is quick and isn’t too technical !!! In fact I think I prefer this method to using the stencil tool (even mask in photoshop), it’s too clean and precise for 2D painting !

Basically, I created a duplicate layer, applied the gradient (using the standard alpha gradient, rectangular stroke), erased back in the areas that should not have been affected and then merged down the layers.

What’s interesting is that I could not get merge layers to work just now (ZAdd on) it just seemed to remove the gradient, however I restarted ZBrush and all seems OK now. Possible Bug ?? I wouldn’t know how to reproduce it either.

Anyway, all is well now, many thanks to you both for your help.

#6

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR> What’s interesting is that I could not get merge layers to work just now (ZAdd on) it just seemed to remove the gradient, however I restarted ZBrush and all seems OK now. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Enabling/disabling M, RGB or Zadd determines what is merged; materials,colors and pixols. You most like had RGB disabled when you merged earlier.

#7

Hi Clayton
The Normal way for not have the white rectangle “alpha” is

  • Grabb screen
  • Menu Texture : Make Alpha !
  • Menu Alpha : Make stencil :slight_smile:
    Sorry, I was to speedy in the previous post :slight_smile:
    Pilou
#8

Hello,

TVeyes: Thanks for your reply, I’m sure that RGB was on, however I’ll certainly keep a look out next time. If it happens again, I will check ZAdd and RGB first.

Frenchy: I’ve successfully created a stencil, however I’m not sure how this is going to help me create a gradient ?? My alpha and texture now shows the image I’ve created, however essentially I would just like to isolate a “portion” of that image and gradient fill it!

Really sorry for this, however I am new to ZBrush 2.

#9

What I would do is create an alpha that is black where your image shows black, and white everywhere else. Make it into a stencil, then press Alpha>Stretch to make it match the canvas size. Now you can use that as a mask to paint your gradient through.

This tutorial will show you how to create the colorized gradient to paint through the stencil.

#10

This is the modern method by Aurick :slight_smile:

Hi Clayton
A stencil can have any form :slight_smile:
And you recall it any time you want :slight_smile:
So with it you can mask any part of anything :slight_smile:
Just take a look in the tut inside the prog :slight_smile:
Pilou

#11

Hello,

Thanks for the tutorial Matthew, but I think I will stick with the workaround I’ve found. I’m sorry, but I don’t think I’ve explained the problem.

I’m working on a large 2D drawing where I know what the gradient colours are going to be, in the following example they are yellow and blue:

I created a duplicate layer and picked the yellow colour. Using the gradient Alpha and Rectangular stroke I created the gradient as follows:

I then scaled this horizontally, however some of the gradient now covers the green/black object as shown below:

Using the eraser I was able to erase out the gradient. I then selected the simple brush, making sure the mode was set to RGB ZAdd and merged down the two layers:

I thought I would explain my workaround in case it would be of use. I’m not sure the stencil would be quicker than the above description.

Hope this helps.