ZBrushCentral

ZBrush 4R5 Image Planes / Reference Images [Answered]

ZBrush Usage Questions
#1

I realize there are a number of ways to use reference images in ZBrush. I have tried a few: manually creating planes in Maya, setting up UVs, export to ZBrush… the problem with that is, I cannot seem to make Zspheres transparent without making the planes transparent as well. The other option I’ve tried is loading a reference image under “Textures -> load image plane.” This works for transparency but when I scale the model to get better detail, etc… the planes do not scale with it and I find myself having to adjust both the model and plane scales manually which slightly throws off alignment with the other views. The final option, I’ve heard of but not tried yet, is shadowbox. Any opinions?

Is there a better way of doing this? I need the model and the planes to stay relative to the scale of one another while having the luxury of transparency with my model so that I can actually see the reference images; otherwise they are useless. I would much rather not have to model in Maya then do touch up in ZBrush because I hate UV mapping and love that ZBrush does it for me.

Thanks in advance,

#2

Open image on desktop with Image Preview or other means. Set ZBrush window transparency with slider.

#3

I found the Grid Image Reference tutorial useful

http://www.pixologic.com/zclassroom/homeroom/lesson/additional-videos/

#4

That seems to work, thanks. Although… I’m just being nit-picky now but would you know of any way of moving the planes across the axis? I notice when I move to the back view or to the right view, I end up looking through my planes which I kind of dislike because the planes are not quite as sharp or clear in that way as they become slightly transparent. I’m sure there’s a way, I just am not seeing here.

#5

Probably the best thing for you to do is:

  1. Set the Elevation (the Elv slider to the right of the Floor button in the Draw palette) to 0.
  2. In the Draw palette Modifiers menu (at the bottom of the Draw palette) turn off the Back Dots option.

That way your Back/Front etc. image will appear exactly the same intensity.