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ZBrush Usage Questions
#1

Hi there,

this is my first post here and I’m a bit nervous with all you genius art workers around. First I got to say I’m a totally beginner with ZBrush (and with drawing, too). But since I saw what ZBrush can do I soaked up every bit of information I can get my hands on. On X-Mas last year I bought a great book for an introduction to ZBrush. Together with the classroom vids it gets me starting. I choosed a simple model to start with just to come in handy with the tools ZBrush offers. Thanks to the book the technical part is not that of a problem. My problem at this time is how to get specific things solved.
And this is where my problem hits the subject. Either I can’t find any help forum on ZBC or there is none. So I would be happy if you can tell me where I can get answers for my noob questions without messing around in the wrong places in the forum?

For example I want to create a subtool in a technical part of my model. I want to draw a bended corrugated hose from one plug to another. My first try was to do it with ZSpheres. Here the bending and form is not the problem. But after skinning I’m naturally left with a naked bended tube. Here I got the problem to get the cavities evenly spaced and fine around the tube.
My second attempt was to start with a Zylinder. Here I got it managed to get the cavities in. But then I got problems to bring it in form. So what’s my best line to get this done? It’s that practical stuff that blocks my way. In a CAD-Software this wouldn’t be a problem for me but I don’t know how to handle it with ZBrush.

I’m sorry if this is the wrong place to ask for help. If it is so, please let me know. And I apologize for my english. It’s not my native language as you can see without a doubt.

Greetings Bloody

#2

You could probably go down the latter route, and then use Transpose to move it into a more hose-like position. Similar to: http://www.zbrushcentral.com/showthread.php?162772-sculpting-hoses&p=903729&viewfull=1#post903729

The initial approach might also work if you could unwrap it with a nicely taut cylindrical projection, and then inflate.

#3

Thank you very much for your kind answer. I have to apologize for replying so late, but it took me quite a while to get this done. From that workflow evolve some other questions.

I fiddled endless hours to get the right pattern for the Alpha I used. I created it in PS, but the size didn’t fit the tube I want to use it on. So I thought of using Spotlight to tile the Alpha. So I loaded the Alpha as a texture and tiled it. Works just fine. But: How can I get the image I made out of Spotlight again? Either as a texture or as an Alpha? Surely I can paint the texture through spotlight on the object and then mask by color, but there has to be an easier way, hasn’t it?
I’d be glad if you can share your knowledge again on this questions :slight_smile:

Thanks for the admin too, who placed this thread in the correct forum. Didn’t know it until I posted here. These Threads are an amazing help!

So thanks again. Your Idea worked out like a charm :slight_smile: