TheGrind @bruxismnightly - Tumblr Blog

Terminei o primeiro módulo basicão do curso de escultura do Rafa Souza. Curtindo bastante os resultados. :D Baseado na arte do mestre Jordu Schell.

The ingenuity of ZBrush and its ability to create UV maps, textures, and normals.

When I first started with ZBrush, it was intimidating. I downloaded its hotkey cheat sheet and watched many of the ZBrush training videos provided by LinkedIn Learning via the university. I tore through sections like episodes of a soap opera to settle my trepidations of interacting with such an ‘alien’ program. Because I still can’t memorize most things that ZBrush can do and I still spend far too long manipulating a 3D modeling tool, I’d like to simply talk about the basics of UV mapping a model in the program.

Firstly, your model must be at the lowest subdivision level when you begin mapping your model. UV mapping in ZBrush, like Maya, allows us to add color, bumps, and textures to our model. The tool section or side bar will have a menu that allows you to create your UV map size for your model. In the UV Map sidebar there will be two input sliders; one which allows you to alter the size (preferably in multiples and dividends of 1024), and another which allows you to increase the UV map borders. The sub-menu under “Create” has various types of UV maps that you or your texture artist may prefer to use, such as UVPlanner, UV box, and Tiles. There is also a secondary portion of this menu under Z-Plugin’s menu that is called UV Master. This will analyze your model and create a UV once you select the Unwrap option. It is important to control how you want the mask to fold, so you first need to clone your model and then create your UV master unwrap. In that same plugin among UV Master’s options, there is an option to enable control painting. Once you select that option you can paint sections of your model.

You can also import and upload your texture map onto your model from a program like Photoshop or Substance. Travel down the tool menu options on the side bar and find the Texture Map option. In the Texture Map square you can upload the map into the system. UV Mapping must have already been created. Z brush also has a built-in section that allows you to fix the seam in the texture map tool box. Oftentimes I use the ability to change materials or colors of my subtools so that I can be aware that they are different “layers” on top of each other. and do not confuse me when I am creating on top of them. Having my materials pre-colored also helps me identify what sort of material and texture they need to be.

A normal map is created in a similar process as the UV, although it is preferable to make subdivision levels and then choose the lowest one. That way when you create your UV Map and go to the normal map tool on the side bar, the normal map you generate or create will have detailed subdivisions somewhere between 1 and 5 of, let’s say for example, your 5 subdivision levels. Then all you would need to do is export the normal map.

#super useful #zbrush #im seriously loving this program #uv mapping #remeshing is important!#texture mapping

A Missing Element

Recently I’ve been diving into two articles on “Following Your Passion,” which has been quite the insight because they both dislike the saying so much. Both were informative and the advice given in each is sound. However, I want to share with you all what I think about the two articles. Not because I am against their advice. No, I think my mind is now much clearer on what exactly one must do to chase their passions. Today I want to share with you two similarly titled articles, their points of views, and what I feel is missing in their philosophy. What I hope to share with you is: if you are right now pursuing a career determined on your enthusiasm to and enjoyment of its endeavors, you are absolutely doing the right thing. If you are well informed, well studied, and prepared for the difficulties ahead, I see no reason why you shouldn’t follow your passion.

The first is titled “‘Find Your Passion’ Is Awful Advice” by Olga Khazan and makes a point to address the audience when stating basically that there are two types of people. Two types of people, one that is adaptable to challenges and one that isn’t. She is valid in generalizing in this fashion, she has the facts and professors that back up the information she brings to light. Khazan encourages the reader to fulfill the challenges that work and life throw at us, to gain an interest in the field you are working towards, and to adapt your perspective. “Passions aren’t ‘found,’… They’re developed.”

The second is titled “’Following Your Passion’ Is Dead – Here’s What to Replace It With” by Michal B. His article makes it clear he isn’t interested in the idea of following your passion. Going on to quote professors and professionals that feel it’s entirely selfish to do so.” The positive counterpoint to Jobsian narcissism...” (to follow your passion that is). The article goes on to criticize that the thought of pursuing a dream career is careless when it doesn’t line up to the market demand. The gist of his article is to be present in what the world needs and contribute. To chase a passion is a luxury.

Interestingly, I read both thinking they were the same. Only when I looked further did they really start to have different opinions. Khazan wants us to follow an old saying, whether she knows it or not, “love what you do, not do what you love” is her advice to those of us that struggle and stagnate in a job. Michal’s counter point summarizes to a short “worry about what the region needs not what you want.” It is difficult for me to say I disagree. In fact, I both disagree and agree. My own perspective on the matter of “Following Your Passion” starts with the explanation of why someone would be unhappy in their current career.

The truth is you can develop a passion with the amount of investment you place in the subject; despite the challenges and obstacles. If someone is uninterested in the field of work, that person will grow tired and bored. When that tiredness hits a certain level the person will leave, find something new, or become listless as they go from one thing to the next. The person will repeat the cycle. Putting in the time, interest, and effort to develop a skill in that job can be an instrumental key in loving what you do. In conclusion, you all, invest some interest into your current career. You might find something you genuinely like in those skills you are acquiring on the job.

Work Cited:

Olga Khazan [ July 12, 2018] “Follow Your Passion” Is Awful Advice. The Atlantic website. Retrieved September 24, 2019 from: https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2018/07/find-your-passion-is-terrible-advice/564932/

Michal Bohanes [July 5, 2018] "Following your passion" is dead - Here’s what to replace it with. Forbes website. Retrieved September 19, 2019 from:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/michalbohanes/2018/07/05/following-your-passion-is-dead-heres-what-to-replace-it-with/#3c035f327f83

#Follow your passion #discussion #unsatisfying work #point of view #the ideal