ZBrushCentral

Instancing rocks on a terrain subtool using zbrush

ZBrush Usage Questions
#1

I’m wondering if Zbrush can be used to instance a set of different pebbles/rocks over a surface, to create a rocky landscape. Ideally, this rock element would be exported out of zbrush as its own subtool.

I would usually do this in a 3D app using an instancing system, but this time I want those pebbles to take into account the ground displacement from my zbrush sculpt for precise control. I also am hoping that the brush tool can swap between instances in the set to lay in variety/randomness. It would be cool to be able to achieve this in zbrush.

Any workflow suggestions are appreciated.

#2

One way would be to create variations of your basic rock and make them into a Nanomesh brush. Then apply to a low poly terrain. Placement can be random or predetermined by polygrouping, multiple rocks on a single polygon, random selection of rocks from the Nanomesh brush, offsets from the polygon etc. For details search Nanomesh on Michael Pavlovich’s YT channel.

#3

Hi @freedomfries ,

I agree with @tobor8man. This video may be useful:

:slight_smile: