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Question - Stroke a path with an object like Adobe brushes?

ZBrush Usage Questions
#1

Okay not sure if this is the right place to post this and searching didn’t help. I recently created some asteroids for use in my space art, but I’m trying to find an easier way to create an asteroid field than by doing each one by hand and then going into adobe and copying/paster/transforming etc.

My question is, is there a way to set a path in Zbrush then have that path “stroked” or “populated” (simulating pen pressure like adobe) with my object? and possibly randomly turn each one and do it in a way that would follow perspective?

So in other words, I set a path and click something that fills the path with random positioned objects i choose then add perspective as to make it look like rings around a planet?

Or am I stuck doing it in adobe?

#2

you can use fiber mesh and micro meshes following any geometry you put down. For what you’d like to achieve I would just use Zspheres to build the area you want to have populated and then use fiber mesh to build out your pieces. Then convert your fiber mesh into micro meshes.

eh, my 2 cents.

#3

I was thinking the Insert MultiMesh brushes would do the trick. You could set up a few various rocks, add them to an IMM brush, and then draw your curve on a temporary plane. The brush settings will let you randomize the objects along the curve, and once you’re done with it you can remove the plane and keep all the insertions as their own subtool.

#4

hmm read up on that (IMM) thanks guys, so i’ll need to add in a few make it a mesh and then insert them to make a larger one i got it thanks. I’ll have to play with that this weekend. I have to admit I have had zbrush for many years I just haven’t learned to use it enough this will be a great learning project. Wish me Luck! If this works it’ll greatly cut down my time for this kind of project.

#5

Take a look at the Panel Loops video #3. The bit that’s relevant is towards the end where he uses the Curve options, Frame Mesh and Curve Step to put rivets around a panel. You could do the same thing using rocks around a circular plane.

http://www.pixologic.com/zclassroom/homeroom/lesson/panel-loops/

You could also use the Brush>Auto Masking>Topological option so you could move/deform the individual rocks after placing them, if you wanted.

#6

ah i found a micromesh video, i think i understand, now just to see if my computer can handle it lol