ZBrushCentral

Is this the right program for me?

Community
#1

Hi,

I am a total newbie and appreciate any suggestions or comments on this post. I am interested in learning how to create 3d models, characters, and clothing for use in other programs such as Daz, Poser, Vue, etc. I’m looking to learn a program that will allow me to do this, and wonder if ZBrush is the right one for me.

Also, I have looked at some tutorials, and it seems that ZBrush is capable of creating a poly mesh, so I’m curious as to why so many people create them in other programs, then bring them into ZBrush (instead of making the mesh in ZBrush)?

Is it necessary to use another modelling program such as 3ds Max, Maya etc. to achieve what I want or can ZBrush do all?

Thanks

#2

Why don’t you download the demo and give it a go? You might also like to look at this thread which I think will interest you.

As you’ll see, it is possible to build a mesh within ZBrush. Different people have different workflow requirements and that’s why some import the base mesh. ZBrush makes it easy to work with either method. Also, take a look at the features that will be in the forthcoming 2.5 update (free to registered users).

HTH,

#3

Thanks so much Marcus. I took a look at the satyr thread, and it looks as though this is what I’m looking for. Also looks like I’ll be on quite the learning curve for a while!

I’ve downloaded the demo, and am looking forward to the 2.5 update. From what I’ve seen and read, ZBrush has an excellent reputation and is well worth investing in.

#4

If you have to model things like clothes, and inoirganic accessories , guns, weapons and so on, the best thing right now is using an external modelling app to build the base,geometry, then import meshes into ZB to detail em, and maybe even paint textures for them. a good app for this could be something like Silo,(cheaper solution) that is going to have a 2.0 release, or even Modo or XSI foundation. They have all good modelling tools.
ZB has not fantastic low res modelling tools. it has Zspheres, and it handles geometry, but it doesn’t give you complete control over low res geometry right now.
its instead the perfect tool for sculpting, so for example, tiny details, wrinkles on clothes and way more can be done in ZB for sure.:wink:

#5

for inorganic I believe Zbrush is as flexible as any other with use of edgeloop and alpha deformations I can create any kind of inorganic base mesh.

Organic if you dont use zspheres you should be mporting from other softwares for sure…

#6

SUNNY : Have you tried Wings 3D ? . It is very easy to learn and the UI is very simple . It is free. .Currently the manual is not available for download . But one can manage without it…It is only a modeling software . you can export the mesh to ZBrush in obj. format to add deatils . I find it very useful.
KKV

#7

Ya KKV

I have wing 3d , i dont use it much as I use zspheres a lot for reposing, saves a lot of time from rigging which I dont know… :slight_smile:

#8

Im making content for poser and am working on my own figure. Im using a combination of Hexagon and zbrush 2.0.

Its very important to get the edge flow right and the grouping correct as well as keeping the poly count low. Zbrush cant give you totaly what you need for this athough I rekon posible it could make things rather hard.

Like most users of zbrush they make a base mesh in a traditional application to get things off to a right start. I realy could not be without zbrush for this process as zbrush makes my work look how it does because of the control I have over the detail.

The workflow im using is as follows:

  1. Create a base mesh low poly

  2. Import mesh into zbrush and sculpt for basic better form, smoothing, pulling and pushing. I wont at this stage take the poly count higher. I will work between hexagon and zbrush to get my low poly modle.

  3. Back in hexagon id make groups in place so all major limbs are seperate. Arms, Legs, Head e.c.t. then export this model.

  4. In zbrush I will sub devide the model mesh as high as I need to add detail and produce a displacment map flip it vertical then export low poly model and displacment map.

  5. Make texture in zbrush and photoshop using z app link pluging to alow zbrush to work directly with photoshop. Il flip the texture vertical and then export it.

  6. bing the model into Poser add displacment map, rig , animate or pose then render.

#9

Well, I have my homework cut out for me! Thanks for the explanations and suggestions. I heard Hex 2 was still buggy, but it doesn’t sound as though you are having any problems with it. Wings sounds like a viable option for meshes as well.

I just bought ZBrush yesterday (the download plus backup cd) and I still haven’t recieved an invoice or download link. The website says most people are responded to in 4 hours and 24 hours at the latest. It is past 24 hrs and I still haven’t heard anything. I was hoping to spend time on it this weekend, so I hope to get the link by tomorrow. Has anyone else had delays with their order?

#10

My order was instant. I got the email link and downloaded it right away. Contact support and mathew will sort deal with it. I got the boxed version and was well worth it, best quality iv ever seen. Makes learning zbrush way faster unless yu have 2 monitors.

Hexagon has indeed got a bad name for itself and Daz3d has done little to promote its much stable update from version 2 to 2.1. Before version 2.1 update it was so buged that it was un usable, now it hardly gets a crash if ever athough its not perfect its extreemly intuitive and fast to use and im saying that having tryed 3ds max, XSI, Blender , Modo and Silo.

#11

Woo Hoo! I got my ZBrush! Now I can play with it this weekend and learn some of the terms I see people using on the posts (but don’t have a clue what they mean). Oops, does my newbie-ism show?

I think I might pick up Hexagon next payday. I like the sound of it being intuitive and fast to use. I’m going to check Daz and see if they are planning a new release soon.

#12

Hey thats great! Yea get the hexagon demo and see what you think of it. Some hate some love it. Here are a few bits I first did with hexagon, note the rendering wasnt from hexagon though.

http://www.zbrushcentral.com/zbc/showthread.php?t=35594

All the best, have fun.

#13

Welcome aboard! :slight_smile: Don’t miss the various tutorial links here and at the
ZClassroom and if you get stuck there’s usually someone here that will help out.

Have fun! :slight_smile:

#14

EDIT) Just to let all know, I have resolved the problem with Hexagon, and far from it being a mistake, I am very happy with it!

Well, I bought Hexagon 2.1 and it was the biggest mistake I made. It won’t even run on my computer (Pentium 4, 3 GHz, 1GB Ram, NVidea GeForce 6800). I’ve updated my graphics card driver, and made sure all was well with my DirectX, uninstalled and reinstalled the program and it just won’t work. I can barely get beyond forming a primitive cube. My grid disappears, and the cube is scrolling between flat solid, smoothed solid, wireframe etc. As well, I get this little hourglass popping up as if it is doing something. Daz tech support suggested I update my video driver, which I wrote back saying I had done, and I haven’t heard back from them yet. I also tried to install the 2.1 patch, and I get a message saying Hexagon is not installed and it aborts the installation. If they can’t resolve this, I hope I can get my money back.

I just downloaded Wings 3d and printed off their manual (they do have one. It’s about 130 pages long and covers everything in a very understandable way)

#15

For the most bang for the buck - Silo and ZBrush! The Silo 2 beta is awesome! It is the easiest to learn and use. Once you have the base model then ZBrush takes over.

Wings is also free and it will take care of anything you can not do in ZBrush. It is also easy.

First try the demo’s and keep in mind this is not something you can learn in a short time. I’m a year into this ride and I’m just now at the point where I understand the language. No matter what you end up with will have a high learning curve. It is also dynamic in that what is cutting edge now will be yesterdays news within a year or two. It is the most fun you can legaly have on a computer IMHO.

#16

I did sugest you try the demo! Its does not sound right that its not running. Completely remove the software and dissable any virus software before installing. I use Hexagon every day for a least 6 hours on and off and it never crashes or stalls on me. If the update wont go in then it sound like you havent downloaded the correct update, I did the very same thing. I had to download the Hexagon 2.01 Update install then download the Hexagon 2.1 Update being the newest. without that update it dont run good. I know of 3 other people im working closly with that use Hexagon 2.1 and again they dont get these problems your having so dont give up just yet. Iv insalled Hexagon 2.1 Update on 3 other computers and runs great.

My system is a AMD 3700+ heavly overclocked to 2.8gig. Nvidia 7950 GX2 graphics, Ocz Gold gamers xtream 2gb kit. I was running this also with a ATI X800XT for quite a while.

#17

I did disable my antivirus program. I will try installing the 2.01 patch first and let you know how it goes. I’m not ready to give up just yet! It really does look like a good program.

#18

I forgot to mention, Tez, Awesome work!

#19

Thankyou Terran.

Just a few notes to get you through some sticking points.

Hexagon wants you to comfirm things before you get access to certain tools somtimes hitting the enter sorts this, other times you have to press the validate button. You cant click on another object to sellect if certain tools are sellected pressing the esc key twise will desellect current object and tool and alow you to sellect a new object.

When wanting to weld 2 seperate objects together you will have to have
both of them sellected, and group then together before welding as one object. You must weld the first point to point before you can weld edges together of 2 objects. Dont jump sub division levels to fast before one has updated your mesh as this will crash hexagon. Hexagon is a very flexable program, I wouldnt be using it over XSI if this wasnt faster.

#20

Hi Tez,

Thanks for the advice. Hopefully I can get it working, then I can try your suggestions. I have been trying to go through their first tutorial on how to build the Wild Space Creature. I have been following it precisely, and again, can barely get past the primitive because of the glitches.
Again, I uninstalled and reinstalled Hex, then tried to install the 2.01 patch and got the same message “Hexagon not installed. Exiting.”
I am installing it to the default directory, so I don’t know why it can’t find it. Also, when I reinstall, it doesn’t ask me for the serial number. Something strange going on…:confused: