Over the past few days I've been trying to teach myself how to use Zbrush.  I've found it a very interesting program to use and everytime I open it I always seem to enjoy myself.  I was hoping people could give me feedback on my work so far? I've been trying to teach myself the basics of sculpting.  If more advanced users notice any bad habbits, I'd like to warned so it dosn't become a regular occurance in my workflow.  At the momment I'm just teaching myself and experimenting with different tools and brushes.  I really want to get into some creature designs using ZSpheres but at the momment I think its sensible to sculpt some faces and get used to the tools.  My aim is to create something in Zbrush everyday in the hope of progressing =)  I really want to play with textures soon!

*- If these images are too big (im unsure of forum regulations/rules) let me know so I can resize them =)

 

 

 

Danzo_tiger:

I really want to get into some creature designs using ZSpheres but at the momment I think its sensible to sculpt some faces and get used to the tools.

You may want to leave learning the zsphere side of things until 3.5 is released. They have updated the zsphere system with some new things for that release, so you may be learning some stuff that might not be necessary to know with the next version.

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the models look nice for a beginner with zbrush, cant comment on your workflow naturally, not with out a video.

I would suggest playing with the displacement brush on free hand, download some textures from the library and add some fine detail to your skin work with those, thats a good place to play.

also another really sueful brush is the DAM_standard its available in the zbrush forum, search for the download, its really good for folds of skin and soft but defined edges. if you cant find it shout and Ill link a copy somewhere for you.

I use separate eyes and mouth interior, upper and lower teeth sets etc, makes it easier for more expressive mouth forms, put them on the inside and work the lips to them.  pretty good stuff though, Ill be interested in seeing more.

steve

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"what do you mean...I stopped thinking, therefore I disapeared?"

Thanks for the advise guys!  I'll have to look into 3.5 and find out more about it.

I've taken note of DAM_standard, it sounds like a very useful brush so I'll be sure to get hold of it.  Also, using separate eyes, mouth, teeth sets like suggested would vastly help expression so I'll try experimenting and see how it works out.  At the momment I'm still trying to find out how seperate elements work on the 'canvas?'  Interesting, fun.. but very confusing.

Once again, I really appreciate the input. Think I'll experiment with textures today, I'll be sure to post more as soon as possible =)

have fun. if you need help just shout.  might not be able to but no harm asking

steve

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"what do you mean...I stopped thinking, therefore I disapeared?"

I recommend having a look at these videos by Meats Meier: http://www.3dartspace.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=section&id=5&Itemid=60 They were originally released by Gnomon, but he has them going free now. The intro to zbrush 3 is a complete overview of the programs interface and workflow, the illustration one was for zbrush 2 but it still has some useful and interesting info in it.

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Thanks Banjaxedmdt, those are some very useful videos.  So far I'm very impressed with the customisable interface Zbrush provides, it helps bring a friendlier, more personal feel to what at first seems like quite a daunting variety of options.

Unfortunatly I havn't had the time to try sculpting something today.  Although I did experiment with masking, which seems like an invaluable tool.  Whenever I switch on the programme I seem to loose myself for hours!  I have however been able to watch a few tutorials and read up on some of the things that initialy confused me.  I think I've got my head around the 2.5D aspect of things now, along with the difference between saving the document and tool (mistake i made with my first model.)  The Meats Meier link you've given me explains some of the more technical aspects so thats a great help too!  Much Thanks.

 

 

Danzo_tiger:

I think I've got my head around the 2.5D aspect of things now, along with the difference between saving the document and tool (mistake i made with my first model.)

 

I think it is probably a compulsory part of the EULA that everybody confuses document saving and tool saving the first time they use it. That's my excuse for doing it.

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I had a little look at using different brushes and alphas today.  Quite interesting stuff, I can see how easy it would be to create very impressive textures with experience.  I used the clay brush when initially modeling, instead of the standard and also played about with clay tubes.  I also experimented with masking, embarrassingly it took me a while to figure out how to deselect the highlighted surface but in the end it helped with the nose.  Does anyone know what the distortion, just below the brain, on the top of his head is caused by?  I had a feeling it had something to do with where the lines initially intersected at the top and bottom when it started as a sphere.  Couldn't resist letting my imagination take over today, aliens on the brain!

Over the next few days I think I'll try and learn how to add/create separate elements to the model, like teeth, eyes and maybe hair.  I think I'll also try and experiment with different combinations of brushes, strokes and alphas.  If anyone has any suggestions or advice I'd love to here it! 

Hmm.. I should probably add learn how to render correctly to the 'to do' list...

that distortion is caused by the draw rate me thinks.  go to the preferences tab and turn multidraw off, it will probably get rid of artifacting, though you may have to reload the tool afterwards

steve

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"what do you mean...I stopped thinking, therefore I disapeared?"

Danzo_tiger:

Does anyone know what the distortion, just below the brain, on the top of his head is caused by? 

Did you use a mask at any point, or, did you accidentally catch the CTRL key while sculpting? It may be that you masked it off, or you might have deleted part of the mesh. It's also possible you had some dodgy polygons overlapping or something when you built the mesh to begin with (if you used zspheres).

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Thanks for such quick replies guys =)

 Turning multidraw on and off, dosn't seem to effect it.  I also tried restarting Zbrush inbetween changes and reloading the tool but it dosn't seem to help.

 I did experiment with mask earlier but I didnt go near the place effected so I dont think thats the problem.  Dodgy polygons seems like it could be the problem Banjaxedmdt but the strange thing is, the closer I zoom to the area the more the distortion seems to shrink.  At max zoom it appears to be a small clump of dots. 

It might not be such an issue when I learn how to render out images correctly but for the time being its a bit of a pain.

 * I just noticed that when i lower the subdivisions it disappears.  Do you think its because I'm using too many polygons?  I know subdividing is RAM dependent but is there some kind of recommended amount to use?

 

Danzo_tiger:

 * I just noticed that when i lower the subdivisions it disappears.  Do you think its because I'm using too many polygons?  I know subdividing is RAM dependent but is there some kind of recommended amount to use?

Things like that just tend to show up and be more obvious when you up the resolution. You would probably have more chance of crashes or the program slowing down a lot more if there was a RAM problem.

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if its not the multi draw it may be a mask, I know it sounds odd, but there is a bug in zbrush where a mask may not completely clear when you clear it, esp if you use the brush to delete it rather than the clear function in the masking pallet. try highlighting the whole model go to mask and hit the clear button, if its not highlighted then mask the whole model and then hit clear again. then go and smooth over the effected area.

if that dosent work Ill have another think.

steve

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"what do you mean...I stopped thinking, therefore I disapeared?"

Maybe the polygons (or whatever they're called) have flipped around? They only render from one side.

Go to Tool > display properties and turn on Double. If that fixes it, there's your problem.

I'm a noob too so I don't know how to fix it though.

Try selecting the upper part of the head so it is the only thing that is visible. Then with Double switched on you should be able to smooth any rough bits from the inside.