ZBrushCentral

Some generic zBrush questions

ZBrush Usage Questions
#1

Hi all,

  1. I’m using version 4r6. For zSpheres, how do you draw them and make them snap to a same size? Say, the 4 zspheres for the fingers of the hand etc.
    The docs say to click and drag to draw the zsphere, then hold down Ctrl. I did but nothing happens…it doesn’t snap to the brush size I set?

  2. For converting zspheres into a humanoid mesh for sculpting humans, do you guys usually use the normal skinning or the classic skinning? I tried to find articles which talk about the pros and cons of both but can’t find anything.
    Scott Spencer in his DVD says he prefers classic skinning, though. The hands especially, when converted via classic skinning, results in a much better looking mesh but the rest of the mesh looks way off. If only we can combine both classic and normal skinning.

  3. Are there any good DVDs on human figure sculpting besides the Scott Spencer and digital tutors ones?

Tks!
Nik

#2

I believe it is start to draw and then shift.

Most people I know don’t use zspheres that much anymore. They’re good for building out forms, but no one actually uses the topo the produce. Everyone has switched to zremesher for better topology at this point.

Most people also simply use dynamesh for most things.

Gnomon has a ton of videos for characters as well I believe

#3


  1. Like Beta said, start to draw a sphere then hold shift
  2. I prefer the newer skinning method as it maintains the form of the spheres pretty closely. It can result in a lot more polygons at the base level though, which may or may not be what you want.
  3. zbrushworkshops usually has some good character videos.

#4

Thanks guys! Yup, I know of the hold shift thing but I think what it does is to make the new sphere the same size as the parent sphere (the sphere on which it is drawn on).

So, if you’ve zsphere #1 (original sphere), and you want to add zsphere #2 on top of it, so you draw that out, right? Then, if you want to add zsphere #3 and #4 on top of zsphere #1 and try to make it the same size as zsphere #2, I think there’s currently no way to make it the same other than eyeballing it I guess. :slight_smile:

Tks! :slight_smile:
Nik

#5

Ahh, I get ya. It sounded like you meant drawing a finger chain, not multiple ones. If you absolutely need them to be identical, you could try starting them with radial symmetry on and then delete the chains you don’t need.

#6

bah, don’t use Zspheres.

Make a single finger. Append to the mesh. Size and place, duplicate mesh (either in the subtool or as a new one) and place.

Now you have a fully sculpted finger that is also in the proper place, unless you really really really want to sculpt 4 fingers that is.

#7

Ah, tks for the tip guys!

PS: Radial symmetry…why didn’t I think of that!!!