ZBrushCentral

Create Shell and Negative Insert? - Answered

ZBrush Usage Questions
#1

Could someone please post a tutorial on how to use the new Create Shell feature? I am making vases and bowls with Zbrush and have been using the Extract function to inflate a ‘shell’ to create the bowl/vase. But the new Create Shell sounds just right for my needs, but I don’t know how to use it.

Bowls are easy enough to create from spheres, but vases will require a ‘Negative Insert’ - I believe. If you could use a vase shape in a tutorial it would be of great help. I’ll be viewing this post regularly for responses as well.

Thanks!

Attachments

screenshot_01.jpg

#2

Here are the basics. This should get you going.

  1. Draw a Sphere3D on the canvas, click ‘Edit’ button then make it a PM3D.
  2. In Geometry subpalette, click on ‘Dynamesh’ button to turn it on.
  3. Select the ‘InsertCylinder’ brush from the Brush palette.
  4. While holding down ‘Alt’ key, draw the insert on the Sphere. This creates the negative insert.
  5. ‘Ctrl+click+drag’ once on canvas to clear the mask.
  6. Click ‘Create Shell’ button in Geometry subpalette.

Note: Don’t let the image below confuse you with instructions above as I added one more step in the image.

vase1.JPG

#3

Thank you zber2. That looks like it will get me to where I’m familiar and can finish a vase. The new features in 4R2 are exactly what I needed for designing for 3D printing. I appreciate the help.

#4

Your welcome Cinesis! :slight_smile:

In addition, if you ever want to create a shell that does not have any holes in it, you would simply move the negative insert away from the main form first.
For clarity, I will re-write the steps I gave you above. The addition below is step #5.

CREATING A SHELL WITHOUT HOLES

  1. Draw a Sphere3D on the canvas, click ‘Edit’ button then make it a PM3D.
  2. In Geometry subpalette, click on ‘Dynamesh’ button to turn it on.
  3. Select the ‘InsertCylinder’ brush from the Brush palette.
  4. While holding down ‘Alt’ key, draw the insert on the Sphere. This creates the negative insert.
  5. Using the ‘Move’ transform (W), move the negative insert away so it clears the main form completely.
  6. ‘Ctrl+click+drag’ once on canvas to clear the mask.
  7. Click ‘Create Shell’ button in Geometry subpalette.
#5

Thanks for this. I think I got it! I created a good vase shape shell. I still have to try the Move function - I haven’t used Transform yet.

I’d seen mentioned on a different thread that there’s a way to have the inside of a shell smooth - do you happen to know about that?

#6

Enable the ‘Polish’ button (Auto Apply ClayPolish) in the DynaMesh settings and see if it’s satisfactory. With that button enabled, means that the ‘ClayPolish’ settings will also have an affect. To start, just enable ‘Polish’ button and see if the default settings are satisfactory. If not, then play around with the ‘ClayPolish’ settings. Please realize that 4R2 is new to me too and that this is my closest guesstimation. If somebody else has a better solution, then please chime in.

Originally posted by marcus_civis,

However, remember that Dynamesh is a low to mid polygon density solution and won’t support complex detail.