Hi everyone, brand new here. I’m amazed at all the great work everyone has shown.
I’m a physical sculptor where I make toy prototypes and am looking to get into the digital world. So I want to try digital sculpting with Zbrush.
But here’s the thing, can Zbrush files be exported so that CAD software can pick them up? Looks like a STL file. Most production houses that create metal molds for injection molding use CAD software. I don’t know if I’m jumping into Zbrush with the wrong idea that it can take my digitaly sculpted toys and have molds made from the Zbrush file.
Could someone point me in the best direction?
Thanks guys!!!
Dude, come on, do you know anyhing about 3d programs ? Its all about the file format, zbrush can export .obj files, they are pretty popular, most of 3d soft can conver it in any other format you need, like 3d max or maya. So yeah, i bet there is no problem in getting zbrush files in to cad, the problem would be the polycount ;]
slocik - you would lose that bet. Your info is not very accurate based on the question.
Actually it is a very good question having gone through that very issue when creating game pieces for a new Curious George board game in ZB. Now this is information is from about 6 months ago - there may be a new solution I am unaware of and would like to hear about.
The short answer is no. While you can export as obj (edited - and can convert that to a host of other formats) and import into a CAD program, it is basically unusable for what I think you are wanting to do.
Most CAD software uses things like Rhino’s NURB format. Polygons just dont cut it.
The solution we went with was 3D printing directly from the ZB file and making a production mold from that.
But as far as I know there is not viable direct path from ZB to CAD.
Hope that helps.
Err… If I understand well, you wanna know if zbrush can export a model in a special format. I’m afraid not, but is strange anybody offer the real printing service based on .ztl (zbrush tool).
Hope you find you’re looking for.
Try someone of this:
ebudae3d
protorapid
xpress
or
http://www.neoteo.com/shapeways-modelos-3d-a-precio-razonable-5368.neo
greetings!
Companies like Gentle Giant studio in LA offer direct print from ztl file. A very nice thing indeed. Of course they have to prep it as there are rules you need to follow, like intersecting shapes.
Hi Codeman,
I’ve only been using Z-Brush since Nov 08, but as a Product Designer I’m well used to CAD (both parametric & NURB) and manufacturing from it. You can get usable data from Z-Brush, but you need to get it into a format suitable for your output process. If this is a Z-print then an .stl will do the trick.
Trouble is getting the .stl. CAD can be expensive, however you may wish to look into Blender (free), which does allow .stl output. http://www.blender.org/
Its a little so-n-so to get started with, but if you have the patience its probably worth a go.
For Rapid prototype you need look at the layer thickness you can produce at. Unless using prefatory systems, detail will be limited so your mesh models probably should not exceed 5 or 6 sub-divisions. It all depends on the balance of what your looking for! For games industry I’m fairly confident this would not be good enough.
There are plenty of little pitfalls to look out for when using Z-Brush for manufacture. Please see my recent thread for an example of some of the difficulties I’m working through.
http://www.zbrushcentral.com/zbc/showthread.php?t=66625
Hope this helps!