ZBrushCentral

Maya to Zbrush to Photoshop - Workflow queries

ZBrush Usage Questions
#1

Hi all,

Having recently got into Zbrush and gone through a number of tutorials I have a few queries I hope you could shed some light on.

  1. I don’t understand when/why Maya or any other 3D package is used in the modelling workflow process apart from for the lighting/rendering. I understand the normal workflow is to go from the 3D package to Zbrush, then back again etc, why can you not just do all the modelling in Zbrush as it’s so much more user-friendly?

  2. What is the ‘normal’ workflow for texturing?, are the texturing tools within Zbrush good enough for high end texturing or is it preferable to use Bodypaint or Photoshop?.. and if using Photoshop I presume that would you would have to unwrap UV’s?.. I find it hard to understand why you would unwrap UV’s as it’s such a tedious task and feels like an unnatural way to paint textures. I’d be very interested to know of some workflow suggestions or links.

Lastly, can anyone direct me to any good tutorials about Maya/Zbrush/Photoshop/Bodypaint workflow, preferably free ones but if you know of others then please let me know.

Thanks for taking the time to read… and I appreciate any help! :+1:

Martin

#2

Hi Gooner,

I’ll take the lead on this :).
Zbrush initially had no topology construction tools and the ones there were good for sculpture work but not production friendly. After 3.1 the tools have gotten considerably better. And now, with 3.5, the tools are almost as good as any other application out there.

Besides some bugs and a lack of a 64-bit version, Zbrush is pretty good. I use it for production everyday, and am a huge supporter for using it throughout the process. The hard surface sculpting tools are great now and the zketch process is brilliant.

Texturing in Zbrush is as good as any other process and it depends on your ability to use it properly. For me, texturing/painting on the model directly has always been easier. Zapplink is the way to go.

You need to practice alot as Zbrush is all about how well you can understand and gain from it. Digital Tutors and Gnomon have some great tutorials for Maya/Zbrush workflows.

Good luck! :slight_smile:

#3

Thank you khalavi, much appreciated!.. when you say that the hard surface tools are great, does that mean you’re modelling buildings/hard objects also in Zbrush?

It would also be good to hear from someone who favours working in a 3D package alongside Zbrush, I’ve heard that is the way that most artists work but I don’t know the benefits. Also regarding texturing I would be interested to know how you’re rendering your objects, I realise no way is the ‘right’ way and we all find what works best for us but some insight would be helpful.