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Ways to do knotwork in ZBrush? (answered)

ZBrush Usage Questions
#1

Hi guys,

First of all, I hope this is the right forum for asking this sort of thing - I figured the main forum was not really for newbie questions so I posted here instead.

Is there an easy way to do knotwork patterns in ZBrush? (Like Celtic knots and other ornaments) I am a beginner in ZBrush and intuitively it feels like the right tool, but how would you actually go about it?

Simply masking an painting would definitely give you the outlines, but when it comes to interlaced knots, I’m out of ideas :confused:

Or is it actually better idea to model the knots in Maya or Max and just do the detailing in ZBrush? I’m looking for a kind of “best practice” here, rather than doing it on a specific software just because I can.

Thanks!

#2

Anyone? :o

I found this thread but it would be great to know if there are alternative ways?

#3

It depends on what you are using the knotwork for. If it as decoration on a sculpt then you will be able to use masking and other methods to create the relief. Look especially at the radial symmetry options in the Transform palette.

For decorative stuff the new brush settings in ZBrush 4 can be useful. See here: http://www.pixologic.com/docs/index.php/New_Brushes%2C_Settings_and_Behaviors and also Intervain’s sculpts here http://www.zbrushcentral.com/showthread.php?t=91472&page=1&pp=15 .

The thread you found shows how ZSpheres can be used to make knots, especially with radial symmetry. There are limitations with ZSpheres for knotwork though in that you can’t make complete loops.

Mesh extract would provide a further way to start the knot pattern.

You’ll realise that all these methods are basically ‘freehand’. There is no way to generate knots mathematically within ZBrush (although it may be possible to use zscript if you felt like looking into that). You’ll need to experiment to see which method best suits what you are trying to achieve.

HTH,

#4

Thanks for the tips,

I am mainly interested in the decorative stuff, but I’m not sure if I get how masking would work for the interlaced patterns. Even if it was just a relief, i.e. all as one surface, I would need a way to push in the parts that go under of another “lace” and vice versa. Of course a skilled artist can probably do that very well, but for a newbie it’s a little tricky.

Just started learning ZBrush 4 today! Lot to learn, plus coming from “traditional” modeling package (Max) sometimes seems to make it difficult to understand how things can/should be done in ZBrush :wink:

#5

Remember that you can invert a mask, so you would mask one part and push in, then invert the mask and pull out. But you will have to experiment to see what works best for you.

If you are new to ZBrush I suggest that you get the grips with the program and what it can do before attempting anything too complicated in terms of knots.

#6

I gave it a shot using Zspheres, taking the liberty of using your lovely example as a guide. I’m not sure one can achieve perfect smoothness if that’s what you are looking for with this method, but I’m no expert and rarely use zspheres. If this interests you then I’ll explain a bit further how I went about it.

I should also mention that I did this rather quickly and better results can be had with a bit of effort. I find zspheres are a bit like working with vector points and I haven’t quite got the handle of it yet. So bear with the amaturish results. I’m sure in the right hands it would have a more finished look.

Attachments

CelticKnotworkZbrush.jpg

#7

Nancy,

This looks great! Could you do a short tutorial and put it in the Tutorials Forum ? I’m sure this would interest a lot of people.

Thanks,

#8

I’d be delighted! I’ll post it there tonight or tomorrow :slight_smile:

#9

Yeah, a tutorial would be awesome. And those look just great to me - just what I was aiming for :cool:

#10

Thanks Nancy, much appreciated. :+1:

#11

Nancy’s tutorial is here: Celtic Knotwork with ZSpheres