ZBrushCentral

Zbrush and animation?

ZBrush Usage Questions
#1

Hello there all.

I would say that I am an advanced intermediate with Zbrush and I am currently studying animation at university. While i know that the usual work flow is to make a base-mesh in a 3D package such as Max or Maya with the correct edge-loops already created then do some higher detailing in Zbrush then transfer the detail via normal / deformation maps. I am just wondering if it is possible to make a animation-ready model using Zbrush alone. For example i currently have a concept character for my 3rd-year project but i was wondering if i could retopologise him with the correct edge-lopps, export the lowest sub-devision then pop back up to the highest sub-devision and transfer the detail accross.

If anyone has any suggestions of a work-flow, any general thoughts and if this is even achievable it would be GREATLY appreciated.

Thanks.

#2

Yes, it can be done. The retopology features can be used to build a mesh that’s animation ready. How easy this will be for you will of course depend on how comfortable you are with the retopology features.

Thanks to GoZ, another option is to use that to send your level 1 mesh to Maya, Max or one of the other supported apps. You can then redo the topology there and use GoZ to send the model back to ZBrush. ZBrush will automatically project all details from your original high-level mesh to the new topology.