AET 25B Character Creation | ZBrush: Week 01

Posted on NINJAPosted in ZBRUSH

Week01:

Shortcuts

  • activate symmetry/mirror: [ X ]
    • – you can adjust the type of symmetry. TRANSFORM || Activate symmetry
    • symmetry
  • frame object on stage: [ F ]
  • brush size: [ ] OR.. [ S ]
  • information popup window: [ HOLD CTRL + hover over each tool.]
  • show outlines over mesh: [ SHFT + F ]
  • view snapping: [ CLICK + DRAG + SHIFT ]
    • – This snaps to the closest 90˚ rotation of the model
  • Allow Click To Solo: PREFERENCES || Edit > Allow click to solo
    • – Click on an open area and the active subtool will remain visible and all the others will disappear. Just click in the open area again to bring everything back.
  • Expose: [ SHIFT + X ]
    • – Separates all geometry like an exploding diagram. [ SHIFT + X ] to return to normal.
  • Polyframe: [ SHIFT + F ]
    • – outlines model

Using zSpheres

Location: Tools Palette > Lightbox > Tools > (Slide bar to 46)

zSphere

  • [ DRAW ] : Draw a sphere
  • [ EDIT + DRAW ] : Click on sphere to create another sphere on initial zSphere.
    • – You can add zSphere points inbetween two zSpheres
  • Turn on symmetrical: Press [ X ]
    • – so you can model on both sides
  • [ MOVE ] : Click to move zSphere points
  • [ SCALE ] : Click to enlarge zSphere points

After zSpheres you need to convert to polygons

  • Preview as polygons: press [ A ]
  • Adaptive Skin : TOOLS PALETTE || Adaptive Skin
    • – This applies a polygonal mesh around your crude model.
    • – it also adds a tool to your lightbox

 Shadow Boxes

LIGHTBOX || Tools > ShadowBox128.ztl

  • – [ DBL + CLICK ] on the tool to activate it and draw a square on the stage.
  • – inside the open box, draw on the sides by holding down [ CTRL + CLICK + DRAG ]
    • – this will add a shape in the middle.
  • –  [ CTRL + CLICK + DRAG ] on the other side or bottom and see how it affects your model.
  • Erase : [ CTRL + OPT + CLICK + DRAG ]
  • Hide Shadow Box : TOOL PALETTE ||  Geometry > Shadow Box > (click on the box to hide the box.
    • *Note: Everytime you turn it on and off if will add the previous drawing to your existing softening the model you originally started with.

 

Using zSketch

Location: Tools Palette > Lightbox > Tools > (Slide bar to 46) zSphere

  • – Click on the zSphere on the tools palette and draw a zSphere on the stage.
  • – Make sure you are in [ EDIT + DRAW ] mode
  • – Navigate to TOOL PALETTE || zSketch (expand section) > Click on [ Edit Sketch ] to turn on zSketch
  • – Click and paint on your zSphere.
  • – Erase while you paint : [ HOLD ALT + CLICK ]
  • – Smooth out your spheres you painted on: [ HOLD SHIFT + CLICK ]
  • – See sketch as a Polygonal mesh: [ TOGGLE A ]

Once you are finished with your sketch, convert to a polygonal mesh permanently.

  • – Convert to polygonal mesh
    • TOOL PALETTE || Unified Skin > Click [ MAKE UNIFIED SKIN ]
    • ( a new tool has been created in the tool box named skin zsphere…)

Extracting From A Polygonal Mesh

  • How to create a polygon from and existing polygon
  • – Create your polygon.
  • – Switch to [ EDIT + DRAW ]
  • – [ HOLD CTRL + CLICK ] on your model and paint on the area you want to extract from your model.
  • – Extract your model: TOOL PALETTE || Subtool > Extract > Settings:
    • S SMT 5: Controls the amount of surface smooth of your extracted model. *Note: Usually set to 0 because you usually want to control the smoothing.
    • THICK: Controls how thick your extracted polygon is.

 

normal: extracts maps…

View

geometry> Dynamesh
– hold CTRL draw square
alt: