ZBrushCentral

Grid and tile shave me totally confused...HELP !!! please

ZBrush Usage Questions
#1

I have asked about the grid before and I have been pointed to two different places in the online docs. But I am totally confused and am feeling pretty stupid…as though the harder I try to figure it out the more confused I get.

I have included a screen grab to show the different elements.

What I want to do is set a tile spacing (or whatever you call the lines that form the squares on the “floor” when it is activated) that is equal to 1 unit. So that when I use the ruler ( the transpose line ) it corresponds to the distance between the lines as 1 unit.

You will see that I have Unit Scale (B) to 1 and the Grid Size © to 1 also. Under the grid size it shows there are 7 tiles per unit. the transpose rule now shows almost 2 units (A) 1.9892.

The object I am making I needs to be 2.8 units

How to I set the floor so that I have tiles that are 1 unit tall and wide and that there are enough of them to make an object that can be arbitrarily at least 15 to 20 units tall or wide?

Are there any tutorials that go into more explanation for getting a handle on understanding this?

Thanks for any help with this.

Attachments

zBrushGrid_001.jpg

#2

How to calibrate the Action Line to the grid.

1. Set the grid to have the size and amount of tiles you need. Zoom (“Scale” button on right shelf) into the grid so it’s large enough to calibrate 1 square (The more you zoom in, the more accurate the Action Line will be).

2. In “Preferences > Transpose Units”, set “Major Ticks” to 1.

3. Draw the Action Line so it’s length (red line) is equal to 1 square on the grid then click on the “Calibration Distance” slider to get red number box and enter a numerical value of 1.

4. In “Preferences > Transpose Units”, set “Minor Ticks” to what you want. You mentioned 2.8 units so your measurements are in tenths. Set “Minor Ticks” to 10.

new-2.JPG

Each square on the grid will now equal “1 Unit” on the Action Line and each “Unit” will be divided into tenths.

new-3.JPG

#3

Thank you Zber. I look forward to reading your book on learning the fine points of this program. Just kidding…but wanted to express how clear and precise your instructions were on this. Can’t thank you enough.

#4

One more question…

Once I have the grid and units set…do I then store the configuration? Or will ZBrush remember my settings?

Thanks again. I learned a lot from your post.

#5

You must store them. Shift+ctrl+I.

#6

That doesn’t work in this case. Neither the Grid nor the Action Line calibration can be stored in the configuration.

You can save the Grid once it’s set up in the Draw palette, but you will always have to open it when you want to use it because ZBrush always launches with the default Grid. After that, you will have to re-calibrate the Action Line again. Once you get used to it, this can go quickly. Saving the project (File > Save As) will save the grid configuration with it, but will not save the Action Line calibration. The only thing ZBrush remembers in “Transform Units” is Major Ticks and Minor Ticks.

#7

Sorry for the bum info. I believed it would save those settings…After all it IS part of the configuration…from my standpoint anyways. Happy ZBrushing

#8

Thank you both for your time to help me with this.

#9

YW. Glad you’re sorted out.

#10

One more question on this. What is Unit Scale in the transpose units box? I have my major and minor ticks set and the calibration…so it all looks good. The Unit Scale at the top of that box shows 2.3276

So it is still a little vague to me…understanding the arbitrariness of the units in ZBrush as opposed to something like 3ds Max.

Is there a good book or set of vids somewhere that goes into the type of explanation of the different tools like the one zber2 showed me?

Thanks again…

#11

Link below my posts to the searchable docs. Units could be heads or whatever works for you. I understand about wanting something more concrete such as feet, inches, cm etc.

#12

Don’t even worry about the Unit Scale slider. It’s tied in with Calibration Distance anyway. You move one, it moves the other, so it doesn’t matter. Just use Calibration Distance.

#13

k Thanks…again to you both…