Module 2

File Management, Primitives, and More Basics
  • Documents
  • OBJs
  • Ztools
  • Projects
  • Saving Your Work
    • OBJs/Ztools/Projects and choosing the right one
  • Undo
  • Primitives
  • Mesh Visibility
    • Double Sided
  • Selection Brushes
  • Masking Brushes
  • Go over questions/discussion topics from homework
  • Check characters/creatures
  • IMM Brushes



Documents
We've already explored documents a little bit in the "Getting Started" module, so by now you should know that exporting your document will result in a 2D image. In this class, you will have no need to save a document. It is a common mistake for new ZBrush users to use Document > Save in order to save their 3D sculpting work. This will only lead to disappointment when you try to load your 3D model and you are unable to sculpt on it!
Use documents as a way to export 2D images of your 3D models.

Pro Tip:

Sometimes the gradient background can be distracting or play tricks on your eyes. If you prefer a solid color background, go to Document > Range and set the value to 0.
OBJs
OBJ files are represented with a ".obj" file extension. For example: "skull_01.obj"
Wavefront OBJ files are effective ways of passing 3D models from one user to another as well as from one software package to another. Oftentimes, if you download free 3D content from the Internet—such as from turbosquid.com or cgtrader.com—you will have the option to download it in the OBJ format.
It's common for a 3D designer to have a personal library of 3D models on hand for rapid prototyping. Having prototypes immediately available can save a lot of time, as you won't have to build everything from scratch when starting a new design. OBJ files contain only 3D model data, which makes it possible to keep their file size and disk-space footprint relatively small.
To import an OBJ file into ZBrush:
  1. Select the PolyMesh3D tool from the Tool palette.
  2. Select Tool > Import
  3. Select your .obj file
At this point, you will have a working ZTool on which you can sculpt.
OBJ DOWNLOAD













ZTools
ZTools are represented by a ".ztl" file extension. For example: "skull_01.ztl".
The most common file type you'll be working with is called a "ZTool." A ZTool is a 3D file that contains sculpted information, subdivision levels, settings, subtools, and more. To see your active ZTools, look to the Tool menu.
Try loading this ZTool by going to Tool > Load Tool.

To save a ZTool, you'll use Tool > Save As. This will be the most common way you will save your work.

Projects
ZBrush Projects are represented with a ".zpr" file extension. For example: "skull_01.zpr".

Pressing Ctrl + S (Windows) or Command + S (Mac) will prompt a dialog box asking you to Save a Project. More often than not, you will not want to save a project, as it contains more data than you will need for basic sculpting and design work. The project contains information such as Undo History, all currently loaded ZTools, alphas, textures, and more. While this can be desirable depending on the nature of your work, it also can lead to extremely large file sizes. It's not hard for a ZPR to reach upwards of 1 GB in size.


Saving and Undoing Your Work
We all have to save our work at some point. Let's take a look at the best ways to do that, as there are a few methods within ZBrush and it is easy to get them mixed up.
One of the most frequent questions is "should I save a project or a ZTool?" As a general rule of thumb, you should save a ZTool unless you must save a project. Furthermore, if you don't need any subdivision levels, export an OBJ.
Here are some other key considerations when saving work in ZBrush:
  • Saving the document will save the canvas 2.5D content only. This is used for illustrations.
  • Saving the ZTool will save the selected 3D object (including all its subtools, subdivisions, settings, 3D layers, etc.). This is used for models.
  • Saving a project will save multiple ZTools at once. It results in a much larger file size and, therefore, it is not the most efficient option.
When using ZBrush only for its 3D features, most users will save the ZTools and not the documents.
Pro Tip:
As a good general practice you should iterate your work. Sometimes files get corrupted (surprising, right?), and you don't want to rely on one file for the duration of your project. You can either save a new version every hour or so, or you can use your judgment and create a new version when you feel like you've made enough progress. Some people create a new version of their working file every time they save. This is not the craziest practice in the world, but doing so can take up a lot of disk space if you're not careful.
If you iterate your files, a good way to do it is to add a "_01" at the end of the file name, right before the extension. Something like this:
  • skull_01.ztl
  • skull_02.ztl
  • skull_03.ztl

Undo
Win - Ctrl + Z Mac - Cmd + Z
(see undo slider at top of your ZBrush interface)


For more on the Undo History, go here.

Primitives
ZBrush Primitives are common shapes (i.e., spheres, cones, cylinders) that you can edit in ZBrush by adjusting parameters. These primitives can be found in the Tool Palette at the main Tool menu and used to quickly generate a wide range of variations on those aforementioned basic geometric shapes. To create a primitive, simply select it from the Tool Palette.

Find the adjustable parameters under Tool > Initialize and start to play with the different settings. This sub-palette becomes available when a primitive is selected.
You will not be able to sculpt on a primitive until you convert it to a polymesh, which is achieved by using Tool > Make PolyMesh3D. Once you have converted your primitive to a polymesh, you will lose the adjustable parameters in the Initialize menu.






Mesh Visibility
Function
Windows
Mac
Pick a Selection Brush
Hold Shift + Ctrl while selecting brush from pop-up
Hold Shift + Command while selecting brush from pop-up
Show mesh portion
Shift + Ctrl + click. Release keys and drag (green selection area)
Shift + Command + click. Release keys and drag (green selection area)
Hide mesh portion
Shift + Ctrl + click. Release keys and drag. Press Alt (red selection area)
Shift + Command + click. Release keys and drag. Press Option (red selection area)
Move selection or clip area
Press spacebar without releasing mouse/pen
Press spacebar without releasing mouse
Show entire mesh
Shift + Ctrl + click background
Shift + Command + click Background
Reverse visibility
Shift + Ctrl + click and drag background
Shift + Command + click and drag background



Homework:

1) ZBrush Sandbox!

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