New to ZBrush, having a hard time with the program...

[system]

My oh my. I recently purchased ZBrush 4(R2).
Up until now I have used Maya for all my modeling, and never really felt like I needed the details I see people produce with ZBrush. Anyway, I decided to learn how to use such a tool, as it is something you have to master in todays world of 3D, at least from a job perspective if you’re going to work in the industry as a modeler/generalist.
BUT!

I’m having a HARD time adapting to how ZBrush works and how the UI operates. The whole idea of Ztools, Z Sub tools, layers, ZSpheres(!), and the crazy manipulator for moving and rotating stuff… I could go on.

Is this the things you ZBrush’ers like about the program? If so, how long did it take for you to get your heads around it?
Because this is the most “unique”/strange program I’ve ever experienced.

Seeing the results you guys manage to get with this tool is amazing! Damn right extraordinary!
I have decided that I AM GOING TO LEARN THIS, but I need some support here. I can’t be the only one feeling like an alien in a strange world when beginning using this incredible program??!

Please give me your experience when learning it. If you previously and additionally use something like Maya or Max, I’m also interested in knowing how you feel about the two applications together. I guess it is positive that they are so different, that you don’t mess up shortcuts and workflow.

This is my first visit to this community, so I give myself a warm welcome!

[hanshubert]

I am new to ZB as well and im coming from 3ds max.
I have to agree that ZB uses the most unique combinaion of hotkeys i have ever seen.
The whole press a button start drag release a button or even - press two keys start drag
release one of them and get a different effect with each released key…

But after a little get to know, to me it’s not only the most unique but the most genius use
of hotkeys i have ever seen. You can have so many functions on just 3 Keys and thats just gold when working
with a tablet that only has 4 keys :).

I really wish they could just include a 3 axis gizmo to move stuff around like in max though.
In my opinion rotating and positioning subtools or inserted meshes is the most unintuitive thing in zbrush.
I’m always affecting all 3 dimensions when really i just want to move something in X+Y.

Now you could say “use offset xy” but I really dont know if it is X and Y i wanna influence
since there is no reference to the axes on the canvas except the model itself which can be oriented
in any way. Generally I find myself always playing around with the affected axes in the deformations palette
beforegetting the desired effect.

But i really can’t complain about the concept of Subtools, layers and Zspheres.
And if you dont like Zspheres I do’nt think you have to worry about them because there are many alternatives.
Especially when you already know an other 3D programm you can always bring in base meshes via goZ.

I’m working with Max for about 3 years now but never really mastered the “clean” way of modeling.
Zbrush does a great deal for me getting shapes I could not model in max. So fo me it is - beside minor flaws - the program of the decade. But thats just my opinion

[system]

Program of the decade? Ok… Maya is more than a decade old.
So I guess I’ll get used to it over time, but right now I have serious productivity issues…

[Polo2011]

I find customizing your interface a good start, depending on your own gesture especially
when using a tablet, working in zbrush with a mouse is like picking needles with boxing gloves:)

I find this movie invaluable!!

[3D-User]

yeah i find that the rotateing system is very hard to get used to Try this
when you want to move something click the move bottom and hold ALT click and drag and it will move
if you need something for percise use the deformations tap

[martiangirl]

Hey Baltazaar,
Firstly welcome to the Zbrush community:)

Do not worry you will master it.Zbrush is the first 3d package I ever tried and I have to say,the best money I have ever spent(no , I am not paid to say that).

Stick with it because once you feel comfortable with where things are and the tools, you will NEVER put this baby down. There are lots of amazing classroom videos,you tube and I highly recomend Ryan Kingsliens Workshops.

There are great books out there by:

Scott Spencer, Eric Keller,Ryan Kingslien and Manuel Scherer

Keep at it and remember we all go through the same frustrations at the start:) Look forward to seeing your work

[system]

Thanks for the replies!
I just purchased a 17 hour tutorial by Scott Spencer, so I should be in safe hands!
The Gnomon guys really knows their stuff. I think Scott Spencer once worked with Pixologic as well, so…

I’m already starting to get used to the pan, zoom, rotate viewport actions, so this might work out…

All the best to you guys!

Chris