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.
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jayquality
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!!
BadKing
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 🙂
anentet
Thank you for all your hard work, everything on this site has been truly helpful with zbrush ^.^
BadKing
Always great to hear 🙂 Thanks for your support and a few more tutorials coming soon!
federicodomin
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
BadKing
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.
Thornbird
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.
BadKing
Anytime mate, so glad to hear you’re enjoying the site! Heaps more cool releases coming soon 🙂
kenji101
Badking, I think your on my top listed website, thank you very much for the vast library. And also for this tut. 🙂
BadKing
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!
indra
Thanx guy! This is Big help for me!!! 🙂
BadKing
Glad to hear, thanks for the support 🙂
keldramon
wow never thought you do tutorial too. A great one. thnx thnx thnx.
BadKing
Thanks mate 🙂 I haven’t had much of a chance to do tutorials of late but there will definitely be more coming!
designo
I will share this link everywhere I go… You are the best!
Thanks again
BadKing
That would be awesome, thanks so much!
designo
This is the best tutorial about Zbrushing I’ve ever watched. Thank you man 🙂
BadKing
Cheers mate, hopefully some more tutorials coming soon 🙂
dreamtwister
Thanks, I learned a lot here 🙂
BadKing
So glad to hear that the resources are helping. Thanks for your support 🙂
Francesc3D
Thank you so much. !!
BadKing
You’re absolutely welcome 🙂
biped
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!
BadKing
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 🙂
Ganeshem
You are the MAN. 🙂
BadKing
LOL, thanks 🙂
shank3d
Awesome videos, and you make them downloadable for low bandwidth! (Applause)
BadKing
Thank so much 🙂 Just want all my resources to be accessible to all artists 🙂
marcusdriessen
Chapter 3 made me cry;)
BadKing
LOL 🙂
Radex81
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!
BadKing
Thanks, comments like yours make this all worthwhile 🙂
NombreUno
thanks for such a nice tuts and making me understand zbrush, i was fooling around lately.
BadKing
I’m really glad the tutorials helped. Cheers mate 🙂
MAKLAKETTE
Thanks a lot. Awesome brush !
BadKing
Cheers mate! 😉
darionLeigh
Finally a tutorial that gives the whole picture.
BadKing
Thanks mate 😉
ernstbauer
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.
BadKing
Thank you so much and welcome to BadKing 🙂
Xypher
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.
BadKing
Cheers mate, happy it helped 🙂
psyerror
Thank you)
BadKing
Cheers 😉
blueferret3dfx
cool stuff…good to see the work flow
BadKing
Cheers 🙂
Codexus
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! 😉
BadKing
Awesome tip! I remember reading something about that a while ago…I need to get out of doing it the old school way. Thanks 🙂
Korax
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
BadKing
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 🙂
its50
previously i used topogun for doing this.
Thanks for introducing me this awesome brush!
BadKing
You’re more than welcome 🙂 I’m happy to hear that the tutorials are helping.