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New to Zbrush : questions on Scaling in Z for anyone with a 3d printing workflow

ZBrush Usage Questions
#1

Hi Zbrushers,
I can’t tell you how glad I finally switched to Zbrush. It’s simply an amazing program.:smiley:
I’m just learning to get around so I’m unclear about a few items that have posed issues for me in the past with other programs.
I’m now primarily in Modo and ZBrush -the GoZ plug in works great. No scale trouble back and forth-

The question I have is for anyone working super small and importing their models into Z
in real world scale units

Is it a problem with brush settings not being optimal when working in these sizes ?
If I go to deform and unify and it will fix the issue but it also will mess up
my initial scale when I re-export
Is there a way to get back the original scale on export?

I’m pretty sure there isn’t a way to set unit preferences for workspace

I’d like to know from anyone making jewelry or small items if you’ve encountered any issues with this
or if you have a workflow you like?

I’m considering scaling up by a set percentage in Modo before I come in to Z but just wondered if
anyone with experience might have some tips -
any info on scale in general much appreciated
UPDATE I don’t know how this works on the forum here but I did find a thread that at least explains and gives me a ton of information on
this issue:
so http://www.zbrushcentral.com/showthread.php?168239-Scaling-Issues-(GoZ-Blender-Max-etc-)-%20Solution-and-explanation

I am going to be using Solution 1 and this seems to be just fine

#2

ZB does not have a real scale as some other programs have such as CAD or Rhino etc. Keep it simple just work on your project until is done, import and export to other programs as you need. When you’re done go to

Zplugin/3D print exporter/select output to mm or inches/give the exact real world dimensions x,y.z you want/select output format and and save it. If you need to output with less then million polygons use the decimation tool on Zplugin before you export.

Hope this helps

#3

I was the one that posted that thread. I use solution 2 with a set cylinder size for my models. Solution 1 should work fine.

Solution 2 is great if your models are really close to the same physical size. I would assume that 95% of jewelry work is about the same size, not much difference between rings and earrings.

Right now I 3D print about 99% of my Zbrush models so real world scaling is very important for my projects.

#4

Thanks for the replies.
Mental Frog- I really appreciate your thread with all the information- (I hadn’t found it yet when I first posted here.) Having all the details on how Zbrush sets up it’s internal unit system is extremely helpful. Now I can actually understand what is going on,
as well as have a real world scale workflow. (sigh of relief!!)

Solution 1 is working great for now but will also try Solution 2 since many items are similar in size.
Happy 3d printing!!