ZBrushCentral

Masking / Masking with path

ZBrush Usage Questions
#1

Hi :wink:

I am completely new to ZBrush coming from Cinema4D and am currently trying to find out if I
could [SIZE=-1][FONT=Calibri]accomplish my projects faster and easier by working with the miracle tool from Pixologic.

Here my questions for which I found no answers so far :

Is it possible to draw masks exactly by using a path (like the path tool in Photoshop or spline
in Cinema ? [SIZE=-1][FONT=Calibri]: Drawing an outline point by point which can be saved fpr later editing by
dragging the points etc

Is it possible to drag masks / paths around once they have been drawn ?

Is it possible to save masks / copy - paste a mask? / path ?

What is the use of the “Mask Curve Pen” and where to find instructions ? (I found nothing in the manual
and the internet so far)

Appreciating your help and advice :+1: Thanks Revo

#2

The Mask Curve tool is cool, but lacks any real precision. Essentially the side with the shadow is what will be masked - drag up to put shadow on one side, drag down to put it on the other. Press alt once while dragging to make a new point, the interpolation will be bezier on that point. Pressing alt twice will give you a point with linear interpolation. Hold space to re-position the entire path. You must have left click held the entire time you make these adjustments.

Like I said it sucks for precision work as you’re not given any distances between points and the angle reading can be odd. In this case create your mask in photoshop and import it as an alpha. Set the brush type to drag rect and drag the alpha onto your tool/model to get precision masking.

#3

Thank you for your tips Squirtle.

It is very tempting to use Zbrush in the field of conceptual product design but the lack of precision
tools may force me to stick with conventional 3d software like Cinema and Nurbs modellers

#4

Blender has among its sculpting tools a bezier-type tool for drawing in edges. Just sayin’… :wink: