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This course is an introduction to the fundamental skills and tools jewelry designers need to know in order to get started using Maxon's ZBrush. ZBrush has long been the industry standard in digital sculpting software, and it is quickly being embraced by jewelry artists because of its powerful capabilities. ZBrush's interface and approach can be a little daunting at first so I created a course that specifically addresses your needs as a jewelry designer so you understand what is useful to you and what you can safely ignore. The uniqueness of ZBrush is often the first hurdle artist face when they dive into digital sculpitng, however you'll quickly learn to embrace ZBrush's toolset and use it to your own creative advantage. The course consists of 15 video chapters averaging 12 to 18 minutes each. They address specific topics such as navigating the interface, importing and exporting 3D files, sculpting geometry, importing reference imagery, customizing brushes, customizing the interface, and more. I use my 20 years of experience as a professional ZBrush artist and teacher to guide you and help you build a solid foundation so that you can sculpt with confidence and allow your artist vision to be fully realized with this incredible software.
A brief description of what the course covers and a short bio about me. The second half of this video is an overview of the anatomy of the standard ZBrush interface and the ZBrush UI preferences. How to activate Edit mode to sculpt a 3D model and how to arrange the menus/palettes using shelves.
How to manipulate a 3D model on the canvas, some tips on starting a project, using "Lightbox" to load a starter project, using hotkeys for navigation, using the gizmo to move the model, locking the canvas, storing camera views, store interface configuration.
File formats used by ZBrush, how to use import common 3d file formats, using the 3D Print Hub Zplug-in, using the Tool palette, understanding ZBrush "tools", saving and loading ZBrush Projects.
A deeper dive into the ZBrush Lightbox file browser. Learn how to load models, textures, alphas, and other elements. Edit Quicksave settings, delete Quicksave files and save preferences. Add folders and customize the Lightbox display.
Understand tools and subtools. A very brief history of ZBrush tools and Edit mode. Make a polymesh 3D model. Organize models using the Subtool Subpalette. Subtool visibility and transparency settings.
A deeper dive into the Subtool Subpalette. Append a model to a tool. Use the Gizmo to scale and move subtools. Subtool visibility presets. Using Boolean operations. Using folders to create Boolean variations.
Enable the grid, adjust visibility, the Draw palette settings, snap settings, grid fill mode, grid colors and opacity, snapshot to grid, load grid presets, project on mesh, prepare reference images, import images into Zbrush, load images on the grid, save grid presets.
Subdivide a mesh, use the sculpting brush library, sculpting brush settings, undo history, dynamic draw size, stroke type settings, use polypaint settings, use alphas to change brush nozzle, use textures to paint with images, find custom brushes online.
Load a custom grid preset, activate symmetry, adjust transparency settings. Understand the difference between the Move Gizmo and the Move Brush. Use hotkeys to select brushes from the library. Understand the difference between Move and Move Infinite Depth brushes. Use the Smooth Brush. Tips for using Move, Smooth, and Subdivision levels. Use the Clay brush. Use Masking brushes.
Hide parts of a polygon mesh using the selection brushes. Use selection with masking. Move selection areas. Use Select Lasso brush. Use Display setting to toggle backface visibility. Use different stroke types with the Selection Brushes. Use selection brushes to create polygroups. Use the AutoGroup option in the Polygroups subpalette.
Using the Polymesh Star, use the Gizmo to translate, rotate, and scale, use the Gizmo icon/menus, use Gizmo to create 3D primitives, reposition Gizmo, manipulate multiple subtools at once, create topology masks, use Gizmo deformers, use focal shift with Gizmo to create a fall off.
Create a ring mesh, activate symmetry, symmetry settings in the Transform palette, use radial symmetry, use the Dam Standard Brush, use local and dynamic symmetry, use Mirror and Weld.
Use the Brush palette to create custom brushes, clone brushes, Brush base types, buildup settings, Dam Standard brush, reset brushes, brush depth, Gravity settings, Backface Masking, tablet pressure, edit graphs, lazy mouse settings.
Understand ZPlug-ins, download free Zplug-ins, install Z-plug-ins, download and install free materials, download alphas, grids, and textures.
Load Standard UI, load interface layout and color presets, remove background gradient, set background color, move buttons and sliders in the interface, remove buttons from the interface, save and load custom interfaces, cusomize interface colors,
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