ZBrushCentral

help with a crocodile?

ZBrush Usage Questions
#1

ok i saw a contest on another forum, where i had to create a 3D crocodile!
i am totaly new to zbrush, but since zbrush is good for living stuff, such as humans, animals and such, i thaugt that i would give it a try :smiley:
also this is my first project, except from a head i made, which never got a body …

so… how would i start about this?
i am not asking for a crocodile tutorial… maybe just some steps that explains the work flow, roughly from start to finnish?
i have Maya, if its needed to make some sort of basic mesh to start with?

i really hope you can help me guys :slight_smile:

in advance: Thansk :smiley:

#2

As for the workflow…
Colect reference photos of Crocos.
Make a low poly base mesh. You can model in Maya or build it with ZSpheres directly in zbrush.
Start sculpting :slight_smile:
Post your WIP on forums to get comments, advices.

#3

ok maybe not that rough :stuck_out_tongue:
a little more detail would be nice :smiley:

first project ever, remember? :stuck_out_tongue:
i am really new to this

#4

ok sorry for double posting, but i really need answer to this…
it would be sad if i couldnt get something done for the contest :stuck_out_tongue:

anyway i made a basic shape with Zspheres! think that this will do for a crocodile? it doessnt have to be photorealistic, and i am not that presice with proportions as long as, its recogniseable…
so can i use this one? :

also this is kinda the part where i am stuck…
i dont know what to do know when i have the basic shape :o
should i just start out with the head, and if so: where to start with the head?
fx. if i wanted it to have, a little opened mouth… how do i do that?
just make a big hole in its face, and smooth out?
and how do i make teeth? and eyes? and… and…
i am soo confused! :cry:

i really hope you guys can help me out here!
think i would learn alot from this project, if i could just finnish it.

in advance: Thanks :smiley:

#5

Hi Craksy,

First of all,

It takes a lot of time to learn Zbrush, you shouldnt rush into it.
I think almost everybody on this forum took the time to learn using this app.
So because of that I’m not going to answer all of the questions…It’s your project not mine.

What I will do however is answer your most important questions:

-Collect photos of crocs for reference, this is a must because you won’t win the contest against someone who DID use that if you didn’t.

-Try making some handdrawnings of the crocs, and by that i mean side-views, front-views etc. for reference, ofcourse if you have a side-view photo you wont have to do a side-view drawning,that part is obvious.

-You got the basic shape of the croc created by zspheres…emphasize BASIC!
the proportions aren’t correct…YET! so now it’s time to start fixing that:
select the ‘move’ brush from your brush pallet, this is the only brush you
need at the moment.
Start moving out the vertex points so that you get the basic proportions of
the croc.

  • When you are done moving the vertex points so that the digital ‘croc’ has
    the proportions of a real croc, and you cant put any more detail in the croc
    on that particular poly lvl. , subdivide it, and go one correcting the
    proportions…when you get a bit more polygons to work with you can start
    using other brushes.

SO! like i said I am not going to answer it all but I gave you something to start working with.

And remember: photo-refence is KEY! there are alot of pictures of crocs out there and you would cut yourself short if you didn’t use that!

GOOD LUCK!

#6

Aye, what Slice said.
For your base mesh it it will surelly do. Just follow the Slices advices. Don’t focus on one part. Try to get every part of your model to the same level, before you divide it.

For eyes and teaths use the SubTools. Check out videos in ZClassroom and learn how to make everything you want :slight_smile: It may be easier to make a base mesh for teaths in Maya.

As for open mouth I would sugest you to export your mesh to external app, model the open mouth and import back or make it once again with zspheres.
Or you can make that hole, smooth it out but unless you will retopo it, it won’t work good.

Good luck man! And take your time.

#7

thanks for the replies :smiley:
first of i am not aiming for realism atm… first i think ill be doing some cartoony stuff, to give me more freedom while i am still learning!
also i dont expect to win, even if i use reference pictures… i am just competing for fun :stuck_out_tongue:

also i tend to give up on a project, if it isnt finnished fast enough, or if i am not 100% sure i will be able to do it!
so when working with something new, i have to start in small, because i would most likely give up, if it looks like something i cant handle…
yea i know its weired -.-’

anyway thanks for the replies :smiley:
ill try to use what you gave me :slight_smile: