Blog04-Basics of ZBrush
As this tutorial is for those who have never used ZBrush before or have used it very little, I will show you an image of the ZBrush user interface with text I have typed over the top pointing out (and for some, describing) the basic elements within. This image will act as a summary of some of the essential ‘need-to-knows’.
Figure.1 (HRGN-ZBrush-UI-Basics_v2.jpg, 2018).
When you first open up ZBrush, it will have a blank canvas. To start, either import a ‘Tool’ (which is what ZBrush calls the geometry you work with) by clicking the ‘Load Tool’ button under the Tool Palette to the far right (You’d probably be importing a 3D model that you had made in a 3D software like Maya or 3DS Max if you were choosing this option). Or, to create a ‘ZTool’, click where there is a large ‘S’ image within the Tool Palette. It will be the top left icon at the bottom of that palette. ZBrush will show a variety of primitive 3D meshes to choose from. Once you’ve selected one, it will replace the ‘S’ (for ‘SimpleBrush’) with whichever 3D mesh you chose. Click and drag on the canvas to add a copy of that particular tool. To ‘Clear Canvas’, press ‘Ctrl’ + ‘N’. Press the ‘Edit’ button (or ‘T’) to work on a 3D tool that’s on the canvas.
[The ‘Draw’ button allows you to add new 3D tools or to draw using SimpleBrush. SimpleBrush is used for drawing/painting in 2.5D]. ‘Edit’ = 3D Canvas, ‘Draw’ = 2.5D Canvas.
This is how to move around in 3D:
Rotate = Left Click on Empty Space & Drag (or within outside boarder if zoomed in on a tool)
Pan = ‘Alt’
Zoom In & Out = ‘Alt’ + ‘Click & Drag’ + Let go of ‘Alt’
If you use a graphics tablet, these hotkeys may be useful:
Make Brush Bigger Size = ‘]’
Make Brush Smaller Size = ‘[‘
Go up Subdivision Levels = ‘D’
Go down Subdivision Levels = ‘Shift’ + ‘D’
Add Subdivision Level = ‘Ctrl’ + ‘D’
[To Assign a Hotkey: Hold ‘Ctrl’ + ‘Alt’ & Click on Button, then press a key to assign it]
References:
HRGN-ZBrush-UI-Basics_v2.jpg [Image] (2018). Perth, Australia: Norman, H.
Marshall, J. (2015). Introduction to ZBrush 4R7 [Pluralsight Video Tut]. Retrieved March 27, 2018, from: https://app.pluralsight.com/library/courses/intro-zbrush-4r7-2090/table-of-contents
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