ZBrushCentral

Jewelrydesign using Zbrush only?

ZBrush Usage Questions
#1

Hi!

I’m trying to learn which software to choose for designing jewelry (mostly ornately detailed bracelets in gold/silver, no stones). I’m into Zbrush and I’m most likely going to purchase it but I want to know if it’s really necessary to use another software (like Modo or Rhino with T-splines) to start the design process. Has anyone experience of just using Zbrush when designing jewelry?

I saw a 2 year old video on youtube where Tomas Wittelsbach speaks on his design process, that he starts the design in Modo to get the geometry right and then finishes in Zbrush. He mentioned that Zbrush isn’t a good place to start but he mentioned something that Zbrush now has digital wax?? That was 2 years ago so I’m wondering if that’s still the case? I’m guessing that there’s been updates…

Thanks,
alevalderas

Awesome forum btw! :+1:

#2

I really can’t imagine why any other software would be “required”.

Especially with zRemesher and some of the stuff coming in 4r7.

#3

There are still a few things missing in Zbrush that may or may not effect your ability to use Zbrush and only Zbrush. There are no real world scale units. You can export out a mesh to a certain size, but you can’t know what size, say a band is going to be. Everything in Zbrush is relative. I would think that jewelry design would require a bit more precision for scale, but as I’m not a jewelry designer it doesn’t really matter to me. Eh.

#4

I sure hope that the uppgrade will make it easier for jewelry designers since it seems that Zbrush is more and more being used to design jewelry! :slight_smile:

Yes, of what I’ve read scaling or controlling sizes seems to be the biggest issue, but there are supposed to be ways to work around that problem… But HOW? And is it worth it??

It’s both a practical and an economic issue for me, practical because its way easier working with just one software (or maybe not??) and economical because obviously it’ll cost more using two or more software programs.

Appreciate the replies!

#5

You can use Blender for starting a specific band size and import/goz into Zbrush. Blender is free, it might take a little bit of learning though, but that’s probably the case with any software.

I don’t do jewelry but I do use real world units, in my case millimeters (mm), and my main software is Zbrush. 1 Zbrush unit equals 1mm for my workspace. It takes a little workaround and some know-how and understanding of how Zbrush uses units but it’s definitely do-able.

Like I said I don’t know jewelry but it might require some additional software outside of Zbrush anyways. Are you currently using any software for your designs? What processes are you planning on going through; 3D Print, wax mold, casting, etc.?

#6

You can use Blender for starting a specific band size and import/goz into Zbrush. Blender is free, it might take a little bit of learning though, but that’s probably the case with any software.

I don’t do jewelry but I do use real world units, in my case millimeters (mm), and my main software is Zbrush. 1 Zbrush unit equals 1mm for my workspace. It takes a little workaround and some know-how and understanding of how Zbrush uses units but it’s definitely do-able.

Like I said I don’t know jewelry but it might require some additional software outside of Zbrush anyways. Are you currently using any software for your designs? What processes are you planning on going through; 3D Print, wax mold, casting, etc.?

Just downloaded Blender, going to look into it. Thanks! :cool:

Ok so there’s no real world units in Zbrush at all? When you say that 1 zbrush unit equals 1mm for your workspace, does that mean that it equals differently for others?? Is it something you can set? I’ve never used Zbrush so I’m still trying to learn what you can and cannot do in there.

No I’m not using anything right now, have played around a little with Rhino and Sculptris, trying to make sure that I’m making the best buy hehe :slight_smile:
Well personally I’m just doing the designing and I’ll have the rapid prototyping, molding, casting etc outsourced.

#7

http://docs.pixologic.com/user-guide/3d-modeling/modeling-basics/transpose/transpose-units/

#8

http://docs.pixologic.com/user-guide…anspose-units/

Awesome!! :cool: