ZBrushCentral

Question ? how do i use the move tool to move a thick object front and back ?

ZBrush Usage Questions
#1

Hi
I have a ring model that i want to deform the shape using the move tool, I am having a problem moving the thickness part of the ring, i want to move front and back at the same time as you can see on the image bellow.

link for image: http://tinypic.com/r/2ljn96h/8

many thanks
v.

#2

The key to successfully using the move brush/tool is the brush size. The larger the brush size the more topology is moved as a whole. The smaller the brush size the less topology is moved and it has a greater impact on the topology.

To make the ring wider use the Deformation sub menu. Look under size. You will see an x, y and z, three areas on your ring that will grow or shrink. You turn them all on and increase/decrease the size as a whole as If you were using the scale transpose tool. Turn off two of the three options leaving only one on. Adjust the size slider to how your model behaves. If it does not adjust the way you like it then do an undo (control z) and turn on the next one and turn off the previous and resize. Use any combinations of the xyz being off and on to achieve your desired result.

Hope this helps!

#3

Thanks so much,
What i am looking for is a little different, maybe you would have a better solution to recommend, I appreciate the help !

http://tinypic.com/r/2sbv0pv/8

I would like to add little details on the geometry, the ornament will be thick and the move brush doesnt work on tiny details on thick objects as you can see, any advice ???

thank you !
v.

#4

I see what you are trying to accomplish. You want to use the move tool to create jagged details. Move tool is not a good way to achieve this in in my opinion.

Here is what is what I would do:


  1. Start with 3D cube either via new project or appending to an existing project as new sub tool
  2. Since you are trying to achieve details sub divide the cube to about sub division level 4 (or more if needed)
  3. On the top surface of the cube (or any 1 surface of 4 sides), the shape you are trying to achieve, paint it out on the cube’s flat topology using a mask pen. So you would mask paint on the topology the exact shape you are showing me in your screenshot.
  4. Use Control to paint the mask and control + alt to erase mistakes.
  5. Once you are satisfied with your mask painting, inverse the mask.
  6. Go to deformation and use the offset to raise the unmasked portion of the cube’s topology, which would be your shape. There is an x, y and z. Experiment which one will raise it upward. Use undo (control z) to start again.
    7. [LIST=1]
  7. This is very important. Make sure you offset your shape above what you want in thickness. In other words make it larger than what you want. I will show you why in the following steps.

  • You should see your shape extruding from the cube, but in that present state it’s useless. So now we’re going to remove it from the cube.
  • Switch your selection from Select Rectangle to Slice Curve. Use control + shift and select the slice curve in the little brush window.
  • Because you have extruded the shape larger than normal or what you want, you have plenty room to use the slice curve tool to the exact thickness you desire without having to slice it off from base of the cube and it makes a nice clean cut.

    1. Slice the about mid point. This will create a new polygroup.
    2. Next slice on the opposite side on the new polygroup. Now you should have three polygroups: 1) the cube and some small amount of extrusion, 2) your desire shaped with nicely clean cut sides and 3) any remaining portion of your shape

  • The polygroup is the middle is your desired shape.
  • Next go to sub tool sub menu under tools, expand Split and click the button Groups Split. Now all three of these are sub tools.
  • Delete the cube sub tool and delete excess shape sub tool so that your shape is the only sub tool remaining.
    • [/LIST]

    Optional steps:


    1. Turning your shape or sub tool into Insert Multi Mesh for later use
      2. [LIST=1]
    2. Your shape should be the only sub tool remaining
    3. Position your shape in the canvas in an orientation that when you draw it on zBrush canvas that’s how you want it to appear when you draw it. For example, if created a sharp tooth as a new IMM, I would want that tooth to be standing up straight when I draw it inside my monster’s mouth, so I would pose it standing up.
    4. Go to your brush button on the upper left and click Create InsertMesh
    5. Afterwards click save as so you have this permanently as new IMM brush

    [/LIST]

    To apply your shape to an existing model topology select your new IMM brush representing your shape and draw it on the topology where you would like to appear. The drawing may not be perfect, just get on there as best you can.

    Once you do this, the target model, that you are drawing on will completely mask out, which protects it so that you can use the transpose tool to reposition, resize, and move your shaped around for the perfect place.

    Once it is placed make your shape into a new sub tool so that it can be isolated and easily worked with. Go SubTool menu, expand Split and click Split Unmasked Points.

    …and now you are done!