Bullet vs Zbrush

# 1 17-09-2012 , 12:05 PM

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Ok folks.....here I go. As much as I hate Zbrush and its UI I have been forced (in a way) to learn it due to the game I am helping develop. Now this is a tutorial based model to get to grips with some of the tools. I must admit after learning how to manip verts on a mesh (no Maya here) I am a little excited at future characters.

This will be a plane human skull, I will develop over the next week or so. I will then at a later stage add muscles etc etc. I am at present learning Z's tools for a better developed workflow. I have a new anatomy book and some great refs on my PC for muscles, bones etc etc. Wish me luck grappling with Z and watch this space...Im going balls to the wall on this.

Cheers bullet

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bullet1968

"A Darkness at Sethanon", a book I aspire to model some of the charcters and scenes

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# 2 17-09-2012 , 01:09 PM

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Join Date: Apr 2002

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With a bit of luck we'll be adding some more ZBrush stuff here in the not so distant future so keep an eye out for that mate user added image

All the best
Dave

From a readers' Q and A column in TV GUIDE: "If we get involved in a nuclear war, would the electromagnetic pulses from exploding bombs damage my videotapes?"

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# 3 17-09-2012 , 02:54 PM

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Zb seems big at first, but honestly once you get some basic under you its not bad. Modeling is easy just a few brushes, rendering on the other hand is where I find it a bit over-whelming.

I am enough of an artist to draw freely upon my imagination, knowledge is limited, imagination encircles the world. (Albert Einstein)

https://www.artstation.com/kurtb

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# 4 17-09-2012 , 04:03 PM

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good luck Ant! Glad to to see you having a go user added image

It will click for you sooner or later.

CGI Artist - Data Model Specialist
Essex

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# 5 17-09-2012 , 09:13 PM

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Thanks guys!! that would be sweet David!

Yeh Kurt it is a bit daunting but I have basic brushes down and using them well. Im am really interest in retopo and of course getting nice hard edges! I have to make armour and such so after the organic learning that will be my next mission.

Cheers Bullet

bullet1968

"A Darkness at Sethanon", a book I aspire to model some of the charcters and scenes

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# 6 17-09-2012 , 10:20 PM

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I also recommend you check out the brush column and learn how to enable backface masking in the automasking dropdown. This will allow you to get in on the thin mesh parts without sculpting the other side. One of the biggest things in my opinion that most don't know about!

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# 7 17-09-2012 , 10:43 PM

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Learn something new everday!!! cheers chav

cheers bullet

bullet1968

"A Darkness at Sethanon", a book I aspire to model some of the charcters and scenes

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# 8 18-09-2012 , 12:28 AM

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The main thing I don't like about Z-brush is the rotate, scale and move functions are hard to get use to. I wish Pixologic would make a feature where you could set up those tools just like maya.

Good luck mate!

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# 9 18-09-2012 , 02:44 AM

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My problem with zbrush and mubox and the like is that I am used to modeling to orthographic images. Ask me to draw a circle without a circle to trace over and you are just as likely to get a square.

"If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of giants." Sir Isaac Newton, 1675

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# 10 18-09-2012 , 03:14 AM

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Thanks THX!! Im used to them now...I assume you mean the mesh rotate and not the camera. RMB off of the mesh for rotate camera..."ALT" plus RMB is pan and "CTRL" and RMB is zoom. For the mesh I havent worked out shortcut keys yet so use the ones in the upper bar.

Ahhh Rick my old friend, do that skull tut I sent you buddy, there is a bit in there on how to set up image planes. In fact in R4R there is alkready an image plane subtool, then just apply the texture!! done. Once you add whatever shape (sphere, box) to the image plane, turn its opacity down to see through it and off you go.

Then 'polyframe" said item on low subs to start and use the move tool to move the mesh around. The larger the brush size and lower the intensity...then for individual verts, lower the brush and increase intensity.

Cheers bullet

bullet1968

"A Darkness at Sethanon", a book I aspire to model some of the charcters and scenes

Quote

# 11 18-09-2012 , 07:44 AM

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Location: Sliema Malta

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It really is quite a piece of kit once you sort out the basics. Smart resym is also something that will save you as well to get back on symmetrical proportions. Mask half the model and press the button. It is located in the deformation tab. Btw the "," button will hide and bring up the lightbox...

Last edited by Chavfister; 18-09-2012 at 07:46 AM.

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