ZBrushCentral

Where Do I Start?

ZBrush Usage Questions
#1

Okay, I am new here. (There, I said it.) I have been coming here to look at all of this (Beyond) amazing work that just sends my mind into this creative nova. I’m like, “God, I want to do that!” So, after getting up the nerve, I went out and bought Z brush. I have no idea what I’m doing. (There, I said it.) But, I do know is, I want to learn this program and post my work with hopes that it will be well received like all of you. So, here’s my question. Where do I start? I am reading Scott Spencer’s book “ZBrush Character Creation” which is great, but what what always kills me, is when I open up Zbrush and see that interface. It looks like the biggest mountain in the world, but I just know I need to climb it. Can anyone tell me, where can I go to learn (first) the interface. and two, how to scult ANYTHING! I would love to hear back from any or everyone any tips as well as any inpiration that helped you over come your fears and dive head first into this brilliant program.

Thank you all so much for sharing works of art that would make Rodan weep.

Michael Anthony Snowden a.k.a. Bob Brilliant :lol: :smiley: :idea:

#2

Forget about the other interfaces. They all look a bit like photoshop. It’s not that they are better, but you got used to them. The mountain is not ZBrush’s interface, but (your own “clinging to a habit”. Been there, done that.
If you can, get Eric Keller’s Indroducing ZBrush. That’s a better one to start with.
Also dld the tutorial movies from pixologic’s site (they’re really superb in quality, clarity and understandability) and then try the free ones over at gnomonology. You can then decide for yourself whether you want to purchase the non-free ones.
If you’re new to ZB3.1 ,and never got the first version of 3, I unfortunately have to say that the series by Meats Meyer over at gnomonology is about the previous version and thus shows a different interface. I’m not saying he’s not a great artist of a good teacher! Only that if the interface is causing you trouble, you’re entitled to know that that series does show another interface.

#3

These tutorials are really nice also, though they touch more on the how-to-do things, not the artistic side of it.

#4

Make sure you have the Subtool Master plugin that you have to download here:

http://www.zbrushcentral.com/zbc/showthread.php?t=57154&page=1&pp=15&highlight=subtool+master

ALWAYS save your models with the Save ZTool function of the Subtool Master, never under file > save. The Subtool Master also offers a lot of cool functions for subtools, which you will learn to love.

Also, make sure you don’t have the memory settings too high under preferences>mem. I have 2 gigs, and have to set it at 1500. You have to leave a half gig or more for the OS and background apps. I had troubles with corrupted files when I set it too high and lost a model.