In this three part tutorial, Instructor Isaac Oster shows us how to use a plane-3d to sculpt an Ear. We start by looking at a simple way of projecting reference material onto the canvas followed by the tools and techniques necessary to block out the general shape in addition to the final sculpt. Isaac also gives us a brief introduction to BPR (Best Preview Render).

Introduction to ZBrush Group - Click Here to Ask a Question or Post Your Work

 

Instructor's Bio

Isaac Oster is a US born professional game artist and instructor. He started his career as an Environment Artist at Bioware in 2008 and later transferred to their Character Art Team. After leaving Bioware in 2012, he worked on Batman: Arkham Origins, and is currently working at Certain Affinity as a character artist on Halo: The Master Chief Collection. In addition, Isaac is an instructor at the Art Institute of Austin, where he teaches game art production techniques using ZBrush, 3DS Max, and Maya, and Python. URL: http://www.isaacoster.com [video_popup video_id="38732"][/video_popup]

In this seven part tutorial, Instructor Isaac Oster shows us the tools and techniques necessary for sculpting a hand in ZBrush. He takes us through the fundamentals of working with Zspheres and creating a base mesh. In addition, he also demonstrates the tools and techniques needed when adding form and further detail to the final sculpt.

Introduction to ZBrush Group - Click Here to Ask a Question or Post Your Work

 

Instructor's Bio

Isaac Oster is a US born professional game artist and instructor. He started his career as an Environment Artist at Bioware in 2008 and later transferred to their Character Art Team. After leaving Bioware in 2012, he worked on Batman: Arkham Origins, and is currently working at Certain Affinity as a character artist on Halo: The Master Chief Collection. In addition, Isaac is an instructor at the Art Institute of Austin, where he teaches game art production techniques using ZBrush, 3DS Max, and Maya, and Python. URL: http://www.isaacoster.com [video_popup video_id="38732"][/video_popup]

In this three part tutorial, Instructor Isaac Oster gives us a brief introduction to Subtool Master and demonstrates how to reconstruct subdivision levels and mirror geometry. He also explores UV Master and takes us through unwrapping a 3D model. In addition, Isaac shows us how to add textures and surface detail using both the Surface Tool and the Morph Target Brush.

Introduction to ZBrush Group - Click Here to Ask a Question or Post Your Work

 

Instructor's Bio

Isaac Oster is a US born professional game artist and instructor. He started his career as an Environment Artist at Bioware in 2008 and later transferred to their Character Art Team. After leaving Bioware in 2012, he worked on Batman: Arkham Origins, and is currently working at Certain Affinity as a character artist on Halo: The Master Chief Collection. In addition, Isaac is an instructor at the Art Institute of Austin, where he teaches game art production techniques using ZBrush, 3DS Max, and Maya, and Python. URL: http://www.isaacoster.com [video_popup video_id="38732"][/video_popup]

In this two part tutorial, Instructor Isaac Oster takes us through the tools and techniques for rendering in ZBrush. We begin by looking at the render setting and developing a basic understanding of the material properties.  We later lean how to export renders out of Zbrush before finally compositing it all together in Photoshop.

Introduction to ZBrush Group - Click Here to Ask a Question or Post Your Work

 

Instructor's Bio

Isaac Oster is a US born professional game artist and instructor. He started his career as an Environment Artist at Bioware in 2008 and later transferred to their Character Art Team. After leaving Bioware in 2012, he worked on Batman: Arkham Origins, and is currently working at Certain Affinity as a character artist on Halo: The Master Chief Collection. In addition, Isaac is an instructor at the Art Institute of Austin, where he teaches game art production techniques using ZBrush, 3DS Max, and Maya, and Python. URL: http://www.isaacoster.com [video_popup video_id="38732"][/video_popup]

In this 4 Chapter series, we look at NoiseMaker. We explore many of its functions and ways that it can be used effectively, as well as developing a deeper understanding of the available options and settings within ZBrush 4R4 and R5. In Chapter 1, we start by creating the base mesh of our concrete slab so we can use it to demonstrate some of the functions that NoiseMaker has to offer. We use a Sphere as our base before applying DynaMesh and ClipCurve Brush. In Chapter 2, we explore NoiseMaker and its basic functionality. We look at the NoiseMaker Plug-in. We learn how to apply the noise to our mesh as well as taking a closer look at ‘Magnify By Mask’ and ‘Strength By Mask’, ‘ColorBlend’ and the ‘Alpha’ button. In Chapter 3, we expand on what we learned in the previous tutorial and focus on UV’s within NoiseMaker. We learn how to recreate Subdivision levels on a DynaMesh model as well as explore some of the features that UV Master has to offer in conjunction with NoiseMaker. In Chapter 4, we look at some of the problems you may encounter when using NoiseMaker, such as inflating or a ballooning effect when applying noise to a model as well as overlapping edges. We look at ‘Layers’ and ‘Morph Target’ as potential solutions before exploring the Morph Brush.

In Part 3 of this 3 part series, we complete our transition from Zbrush 4 R3 to R4, where we focus mainly on detailing and overall aesthetics. We explore many of the new Insert Multi Mesh brushes that Zbrush 4 R4 has to offer before finalizing our cannon. In the introduction, we look at the overall scope of Part 3 and briefly examine some of the topics that will be covered including our focus on detailing, using the new Insert Multi Mesh brushes that Zbrush 4 R4 has to offer and the different parts we will be working on. In Chapter 1, we start adding the detail to our armour plating. We utilise DynaMesh in order to create the holes within the plating before moving onto implementing an Insert Multi Mesh brush to create the bolts that fasten the armour to the cannon. In Chapter 2, we finalize the detail to our armour plating. We utilise SliceCurve to cut out the outline for the piece we want to extrude prior to implementing again an Insert Multi Mesh brush to add small screw heads to the armour plating. In Chapter 3, we start building our basic recoil system for the barrel. We use a plane as a base and cut out the outline of the shape we need using the SliceCurve and ClipCircleCenter, before implementing Morph Target to add volume to our pieces. In Chapter 4, we finalize the recoil system for the barrel. We use a custom made Insert Multi Mesh Brush to add the recoil cylinders, as well as looking at a potential problem with one of the default Insert Multi Mesh brushes when subdividing. In Chapter 5, we start building an additional heat shield for the barrel. We use a cylinder as a base and cut out the outline of the shape we need using the SelectRect together with the Alt key, before implementing Morph Target to add volume to our pieces. In Chapter 6, we finalize the additional heat shield for the barrel. Again we use a custom made Insert Multi Mesh Brush to add the overall detail as well as looking at another potential problem with one of the default Insert Multi Mesh brushes. In Chapter 7, we start adding additional detail to the centre cover plate. We use Masking together with Ctrl +Shift to create a clean border on the surface of our cover plate, before repeating the same steps to achieve a clean indentation. In Chapter 8, we finalize the detail on the centre cover plate. Again we use an Insert Multi Mesh Brush to add the overall detail such as rivets and the main centre piece that we later place on its own layer before using Masking and Ctrl +Shift to modify its design. In Chapter 9, we add additional detail to the large cover plate mount. We use masking together with Ctrl +Shift to create the overall detail on the surface of our cover plate, before implementing an Insert Multi Mesh Brush to finalize the design. In Chapter 10, we finalize the SpiderBot Cannon. We start by loading in a .ZTL file that I’ve created to save on time before taking you through the process used to create it. In a addition we add a bit of piping that sits under the large cover plate mount.

In Part 1 of this 3 part series, we begin by creating the Cannon for our SpiderBot using several different techniques that will speed up our workflow. We start the series within Zbrush 4R3 before moving into R4 towards the end. In this series my focus is more on technique than design. We look at some useful techniques that can help with our overall workflow such as utilizing PolyGroups and minimising point count whenever possible. In the introduction, we look at the overall scope of Part 1 of this series and briefly examine some of the topics that will be covered including Hard Surface techniques, maintaining a low poly count and highlighting the differences between R3 and R4. In Chapter 1 (R3), we create the first part of the gun barrel with a cylinder for the basic shape. We use an old school method of creating holes with the InsertCylinder together with Radial Symmetry to apply them. We use Ctrl + Shift and the Replay Last button to create multiple InsertCylinders. In Chapter 1 (R4), we create the first part of the gun barrel with a similar technique to the previous tutorial. We also look at two different methods to create holes, one using Dynamesh but with a slight difference to the R3 technique and a completely new method exclusive to ZBrush R4. In Chapter 2, we detail the cooling/ heat jacket. We first utilise the SelectLasso Brush to select parts of the jacket and begin building the barrel by merging it together with Merge Visible to create a new object which we turn into a DynaMesh and then use ProjectAll to retrieve all the detail. In Chapter 3, we build a clamp for the barrel. We utilise Ctrl + Shift for a range of different techniques including adding indentations to detail and ‘growing’ parts of the model. We use Edge Loop with Crisp turned on in order to create a clean lip for our clamp. In Chapter 4, we create latches for the clamp created in the previous tutorial. We use a Cube for our basic shape before creating a new object with ReMesh All. We use the same technique to later create additional hinges for our latch. In Chapter 5, we create the hexagonal piece located near the breech of the barrel. We start with a cylinder then adjust the number of sides before turning it into a polymesh. We utilise Ctrl + Shift to achieve a rib-like pattern. In Chapter 6, we create the cover plate mount. We start with a Cube and rough out a basic shape before using ZSphere Topology to create a new low resolution base mesh. Again we use Ctrl + Shift to create our overall shape. In Chapter 7, we use Ctrl + Shift together with Edge Loop and masking functions to create some additional detail surrounding the Cover Plate mount that was created in the previous tutorial. This is a short and simple tutorial.

This is the third tutorial in the Understanding ZBrush series. This 4 chapter tutorial is designed for beginners and those using ZBrush for the first time. In this tutorial we explore the different saving formats of ZBrush, including the differences between saving things out as a Document and a Tool as well as combining the two options into one by utilizing the Project format. We also look at importing and exporting OBJ files and finally other saving possibilities with GoZ. In the introduction, we look at the overall scope of this 3 chapter tutorial and briefly examine some of the topics that will be covered including the main differences between Documents, Tools and Project Files.

This is the first tutorial in the Understanding ZBrush series. This 2 chapter tutorial is designed for beginners and those using ZBrush for the first time. In this tutorial we explore the 2.5D universe, including brushes and navigation and other menus/ tools that you see when you first open ZBrush. In the introduction, we look at the overall scope of this tutorial and briefly look at some of the topics that will be covered in this –two part series including 2.5D navigation and brushes as well as 3D models within this environment.

In this 3-part tutorial, we look at how to get subdivision levels back using two main techniques. We utilise tools such as ReMesh All and ProjectAll and also look at Zspheres and topology in conjunction with Decimation Master. Finally we explore the ZProject Brush together with masking. In the introduction, we look at the overall scope of our project and briefly look at some of the topics that will be covered in this 3-part tutorial. I also provide details regarding a free downloadable model of a treasure chest that can be utilised during the series.