Understanding ZBrush – Topology Brush

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Chapter 01 ~ Basic Principles
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In Chapter 1, we start with creating a single Polygroup for our prop before moving into the basic principles of the Topology Brush. We look at how curve lines are drawn and removed, as well as how they can be extended and used to create new meshes.
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Chapter 02 ~ Loop and Separate
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In Chapter 2, we expand on the previous tutorial. We use the Shift key to create loops around our model and later explore ways to separate the sub-objects we created from the parent, we also look at using symmetry and LazyMouse to allow for additional functionality.
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Chapter 03 ~ ZSphere and Topology Brush
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In Chapter 3, we take a closer look at the curve mode function within ZBush 4R4. We explore the obstacles that may be encountered when trying to edit the curve lines before moving into ZSphere topology. We also look at editing existing topology by using the Topology Brush.
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Understanding ZBrush – Topology Brush

In this 3 Chapter series, we look at the Topology Brush. We explore many of the brush’s functions and ways that it can be used effectively, as well as developing a deeper understanding of the curve mode within ZBrush 4R4.

In Chapter 1, we start with creating a single Polygroup for our prop before moving into the basic principles of the Topology Brush. We look at how curve lines are drawn and removed, as well as how they can be extended and used to create new meshes.

In Chapter 2, we expand on the previous tutorial. We use the Shift key to create loops around our model and later explore ways to separate the sub-objects we created from the parent, we also look at using symmetry and LazyMouse to allow for additional functionality.

In Chapter 3, we take a closer look at the curve mode function within ZBush 4R4. We explore the obstacles that may be encountered when trying to edit the curve lines before moving into ZSphere topology. We also look at editing existing topology by using the Topology Brush.

One Response to Understanding ZBrush – Topology Brush
  1. avatar
    10/04/2015 at 2:42 am

    Love these tutorials! Very thorough and clear.

    I’m trying to use Zbrush to design ceramics, and think maybe I should be using the topology brush in my workflow…

    I’ve made a weird vase shape by interweaving subtools. Now I’m trying to extract just the surface so I can print and cast it.

    I have been using Zspheres to manually retopologize the surface but it is taking FOREVER!!! The topology brush might allow me to skim the surface of my model more quickly. But I am also worried that it will continue to wrap around the tangle of interwoven geometry from the separate subtools. Can I message you with images to better describe what I am trying to do? I am trying so hard on my own to figure it out and I am convinced there is a simpler way!!

    • avatar
      12/04/2015 at 8:41 pm

      Yes please send me an image. I have a few ideas in mind already based on what you’ve said but I want to hold off offering any advice until I know exactly what we are dealing with. Feel free to send me an email via the contact page with a link to your image, this way I can respond to you directly. Looking forward to your email 🙂

  2. avatar
    29/05/2014 at 7:16 am

    Thank you for all your hard work, everything on this site has been truly helpful with zbrush ^.^

    • avatar
      01/06/2014 at 9:23 am

      Always great to hear 🙂 Thanks for your support and a few more tutorials coming soon!

  3. avatar
    21/03/2014 at 9:18 pm

    Great tutorials, congratulations!, i have a question, i’m really novice with zbrush, but i was looking for some kind of method for save time and don’t use other soft to retopology, i was thinking how can i do some models in zbrush and don’t fall in retopolgy all models, really i dont wanna use a programs like topo or others, but this burhs i really don’t see itt, and i wanna know if with this topology brush i could i forget to jump in others softs to finish it, and finaly rig it in max?. Thx a lot for these tutorials, and excuse my english

    • avatar
      22/03/2014 at 6:34 pm

      Yes you can 🙂 The topology brush isn’t perfect but you can retopologise an entire model inside of ZBrush and then export it into 3DSMax for rigging. I hope this answers your question.

  4. avatar
    25/02/2014 at 6:44 pm

    Special thanks for this tuto, it really clears up using the retopology brush, and I needed that! Thanks for all the tutorials, they’re great and I love your site.

    • avatar
      25/02/2014 at 7:21 pm

      Anytime mate, so glad to hear you’re enjoying the site! Heaps more cool releases coming soon 🙂

  5. avatar
    29/01/2014 at 2:07 am

    Badking, I think your on my top listed website, thank you very much for the vast library. And also for this tut. 🙂

    • avatar
      29/01/2014 at 10:14 am

      You’re absolutely welcome and thanks for the kind words and support 🙂 There’s quite a bit of cool stuff coming in the next few months so keep an eye out!

  6. avatar
    07/12/2013 at 3:50 am

    Thanx guy! This is Big help for me!!! 🙂

  7. avatar
    08/11/2013 at 11:58 am

    wow never thought you do tutorial too. A great one. thnx thnx thnx.

    • avatar
      08/11/2013 at 12:43 pm

      Thanks mate 🙂 I haven’t had much of a chance to do tutorials of late but there will definitely be more coming!

  8. avatar
    08/10/2013 at 8:08 pm

    I will share this link everywhere I go… You are the best!
    Thanks again

  9. avatar
    08/10/2013 at 8:05 pm

    This is the best tutorial about Zbrushing I’ve ever watched. Thank you man 🙂

  10. avatar
    21/09/2013 at 5:53 am

    Thanks, I learned a lot here 🙂

    • avatar
      21/09/2013 at 7:17 am

      So glad to hear that the resources are helping. Thanks for your support 🙂

  11. avatar
    21/06/2013 at 10:42 pm

    Thank you so much. !!

  12. avatar
    19/05/2013 at 12:04 am

    thank you for all of this, i just love how precise you are!

    just one question, why do you split these tutorials when you can just have a longer, complete segment.

    look forward to many more!

    • avatar
      19/05/2013 at 8:25 am

      You’re absolutely welcome and thanks so much! I started spliting the tutorials into ‘bite-sized’ pieces in response to some requests I received from the community. Much easier to find the relevant section/s 🙂

  13. avatar
    17/04/2013 at 11:31 pm

    You are the MAN. 🙂

  14. avatar
    10/04/2013 at 9:30 pm

    Awesome videos, and you make them downloadable for low bandwidth! (Applause)

    • avatar
      11/04/2013 at 1:55 pm

      Thank so much 🙂 Just want all my resources to be accessible to all artists 🙂

  15. avatar
    19/03/2013 at 11:23 pm

    Chapter 3 made me cry;)

  16. avatar
    10/03/2013 at 8:56 pm

    I love you guys!!!! I feel like I am in heaven right now!!!! Been searching for a good tutorial regarding topology for ages now!!! This is just right, not too detailed not too shallow… just peeeerrrrfffeeeccctttt!!! THANK YOU!

  17. avatar
    22/01/2013 at 3:11 pm

    thanks for such a nice tuts and making me understand zbrush, i was fooling around lately.

  18. avatar
    15/01/2013 at 5:02 am

    Thanks a lot. Awesome brush !

  19. avatar
    06/01/2013 at 6:57 am

    Finally a tutorial that gives the whole picture.

  20. avatar
    30/12/2012 at 1:28 am

    Hi guys
    I just discovered your tutorials…
    They are Excellent! Many thanks for Your efforts and
    my best wishes for the new Year.
    Greeting from Munich-Germany
    F.

  21. avatar
    18/12/2012 at 1:57 am

    Seeing the hint with dragging of the mesh and hitting Shift, was jaw-dropping for me.
    The only new thing for me in that tutorial but it was worth it.
    Thank you.

  22. avatar
    04/12/2012 at 11:38 pm

    Thank you)

  23. avatar
    14/11/2012 at 9:24 am

    cool stuff…good to see the work flow

  24. avatar
    14/11/2012 at 4:07 am

    Thank you for the best tutorial on the Topology Brush I’ve seen so far 🙂

    One thing that could be handy. When splitting the new topology into a different subtool, you can use Split To Parts instead of the hide/split hidden method, this will split all individual islands of connected geometry into different subtools. Split to similar parts, does the same but keeps the symmetric parts together. It saves one click! 😉

    • avatar
      14/11/2012 at 11:54 am

      Awesome tip! I remember reading something about that a while ago…I need to get out of doing it the old school way. Thanks 🙂

  25. avatar
    28/10/2012 at 3:59 am

    well, I’ll try! slows down my workflow change program for retopology ^^ ZBrush can bake the common maps ? ( I would throw out topogun and xnormal ) XD

    • avatar
      28/10/2012 at 6:28 pm

      Don’t throw out Topogun as yet, it’s still better than the tools that ZBrush has to offer but Pixologic is quickly closing the gap 🙂

  26. avatar
    25/10/2012 at 1:12 am

    previously i used topogun for doing this.
    Thanks for introducing me this awesome brush!

    • avatar
      25/10/2012 at 9:54 am

      You’re more than welcome 🙂 I’m happy to hear that the tutorials are helping.

Leave a Reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Understanding ZBrush – Topology Brush

In this 3 Chapter series, we look at the Topology Brush. We explore many of the brush’s functions and ways that it can be used effectively, as well as developing a deeper understanding of the curve mode within ZBrush 4R4.

In Chapter 1, we start with creating a single Polygroup for our prop before moving into the basic principles of the Topology Brush. We look at how curve lines are drawn and removed, as well as how they can be extended and used to create new meshes.

In Chapter 2, we expand on the previous tutorial. We use the Shift key to create loops around our model and later explore ways to separate the sub-objects we created from the parent, we also look at using symmetry and LazyMouse to allow for additional functionality.

In Chapter 3, we take a closer look at the curve mode function within ZBush 4R4. We explore the obstacles that may be encountered when trying to edit the curve lines before moving into ZSphere topology. We also look at editing existing topology by using the Topology Brush.

One Response to Understanding ZBrush – Topology Brush
  1. avatar
    10/04/2015 at 2:42 am

    Love these tutorials! Very thorough and clear.

    I’m trying to use Zbrush to design ceramics, and think maybe I should be using the topology brush in my workflow…

    I’ve made a weird vase shape by interweaving subtools. Now I’m trying to extract just the surface so I can print and cast it.

    I have been using Zspheres to manually retopologize the surface but it is taking FOREVER!!! The topology brush might allow me to skim the surface of my model more quickly. But I am also worried that it will continue to wrap around the tangle of interwoven geometry from the separate subtools. Can I message you with images to better describe what I am trying to do? I am trying so hard on my own to figure it out and I am convinced there is a simpler way!!

    • avatar
      12/04/2015 at 8:41 pm

      Yes please send me an image. I have a few ideas in mind already based on what you’ve said but I want to hold off offering any advice until I know exactly what we are dealing with. Feel free to send me an email via the contact page with a link to your image, this way I can respond to you directly. Looking forward to your email 🙂

  2. avatar
    29/05/2014 at 7:16 am

    Thank you for all your hard work, everything on this site has been truly helpful with zbrush ^.^

    • avatar
      01/06/2014 at 9:23 am

      Always great to hear 🙂 Thanks for your support and a few more tutorials coming soon!

  3. avatar
    21/03/2014 at 9:18 pm

    Great tutorials, congratulations!, i have a question, i’m really novice with zbrush, but i was looking for some kind of method for save time and don’t use other soft to retopology, i was thinking how can i do some models in zbrush and don’t fall in retopolgy all models, really i dont wanna use a programs like topo or others, but this burhs i really don’t see itt, and i wanna know if with this topology brush i could i forget to jump in others softs to finish it, and finaly rig it in max?. Thx a lot for these tutorials, and excuse my english

    • avatar
      22/03/2014 at 6:34 pm

      Yes you can 🙂 The topology brush isn’t perfect but you can retopologise an entire model inside of ZBrush and then export it into 3DSMax for rigging. I hope this answers your question.

  4. avatar
    25/02/2014 at 6:44 pm

    Special thanks for this tuto, it really clears up using the retopology brush, and I needed that! Thanks for all the tutorials, they’re great and I love your site.

    • avatar
      25/02/2014 at 7:21 pm

      Anytime mate, so glad to hear you’re enjoying the site! Heaps more cool releases coming soon 🙂

  5. avatar
    29/01/2014 at 2:07 am

    Badking, I think your on my top listed website, thank you very much for the vast library. And also for this tut. 🙂

    • avatar
      29/01/2014 at 10:14 am

      You’re absolutely welcome and thanks for the kind words and support 🙂 There’s quite a bit of cool stuff coming in the next few months so keep an eye out!

  6. avatar
    07/12/2013 at 3:50 am

    Thanx guy! This is Big help for me!!! 🙂

  7. avatar
    08/11/2013 at 11:58 am

    wow never thought you do tutorial too. A great one. thnx thnx thnx.

    • avatar
      08/11/2013 at 12:43 pm

      Thanks mate 🙂 I haven’t had much of a chance to do tutorials of late but there will definitely be more coming!

  8. avatar
    08/10/2013 at 8:08 pm

    I will share this link everywhere I go… You are the best!
    Thanks again

  9. avatar
    08/10/2013 at 8:05 pm

    This is the best tutorial about Zbrushing I’ve ever watched. Thank you man 🙂

  10. avatar
    21/09/2013 at 5:53 am

    Thanks, I learned a lot here 🙂

    • avatar
      21/09/2013 at 7:17 am

      So glad to hear that the resources are helping. Thanks for your support 🙂

  11. avatar
    21/06/2013 at 10:42 pm

    Thank you so much. !!

  12. avatar
    19/05/2013 at 12:04 am

    thank you for all of this, i just love how precise you are!

    just one question, why do you split these tutorials when you can just have a longer, complete segment.

    look forward to many more!

    • avatar
      19/05/2013 at 8:25 am

      You’re absolutely welcome and thanks so much! I started spliting the tutorials into ‘bite-sized’ pieces in response to some requests I received from the community. Much easier to find the relevant section/s 🙂

  13. avatar
    17/04/2013 at 11:31 pm

    You are the MAN. 🙂

  14. avatar
    10/04/2013 at 9:30 pm

    Awesome videos, and you make them downloadable for low bandwidth! (Applause)

    • avatar
      11/04/2013 at 1:55 pm

      Thank so much 🙂 Just want all my resources to be accessible to all artists 🙂

  15. avatar
    19/03/2013 at 11:23 pm

    Chapter 3 made me cry;)

  16. avatar
    10/03/2013 at 8:56 pm

    I love you guys!!!! I feel like I am in heaven right now!!!! Been searching for a good tutorial regarding topology for ages now!!! This is just right, not too detailed not too shallow… just peeeerrrrfffeeeccctttt!!! THANK YOU!

  17. avatar
    22/01/2013 at 3:11 pm

    thanks for such a nice tuts and making me understand zbrush, i was fooling around lately.

  18. avatar
    15/01/2013 at 5:02 am

    Thanks a lot. Awesome brush !

  19. avatar
    06/01/2013 at 6:57 am

    Finally a tutorial that gives the whole picture.

  20. avatar
    30/12/2012 at 1:28 am

    Hi guys
    I just discovered your tutorials…
    They are Excellent! Many thanks for Your efforts and
    my best wishes for the new Year.
    Greeting from Munich-Germany
    F.

  21. avatar
    18/12/2012 at 1:57 am

    Seeing the hint with dragging of the mesh and hitting Shift, was jaw-dropping for me.
    The only new thing for me in that tutorial but it was worth it.
    Thank you.

  22. avatar
    04/12/2012 at 11:38 pm

    Thank you)

  23. avatar
    14/11/2012 at 9:24 am

    cool stuff…good to see the work flow

  24. avatar
    14/11/2012 at 4:07 am

    Thank you for the best tutorial on the Topology Brush I’ve seen so far 🙂

    One thing that could be handy. When splitting the new topology into a different subtool, you can use Split To Parts instead of the hide/split hidden method, this will split all individual islands of connected geometry into different subtools. Split to similar parts, does the same but keeps the symmetric parts together. It saves one click! 😉

    • avatar
      14/11/2012 at 11:54 am

      Awesome tip! I remember reading something about that a while ago…I need to get out of doing it the old school way. Thanks 🙂

  25. avatar
    28/10/2012 at 3:59 am

    well, I’ll try! slows down my workflow change program for retopology ^^ ZBrush can bake the common maps ? ( I would throw out topogun and xnormal ) XD

    • avatar
      28/10/2012 at 6:28 pm

      Don’t throw out Topogun as yet, it’s still better than the tools that ZBrush has to offer but Pixologic is quickly closing the gap 🙂

  26. avatar
    25/10/2012 at 1:12 am

    previously i used topogun for doing this.
    Thanks for introducing me this awesome brush!

    • avatar
      25/10/2012 at 9:54 am

      You’re more than welcome 🙂 I’m happy to hear that the tutorials are helping.

Leave a Reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Introduction

00:01:20 Min – 1080p HD – 8.61 MB)

Chapter 01

00:09:19 Min – 1080p HD – (61.7MB)

Chapter 02

00:07:20 Min – 1080p HD – (48.0 MB)

Chapter 03

00:09:20 Min – 1080p HD – (61.1 MB)