Zbrush - Week 5:

In this blog I will be talking about how to insert shapes using insert brushes, ZSpheres and what they are used for and what a Base Mesh is.

Insert brushes:

Insert brushes allow you to add extra shapes into the scene with there being several different brushes that allow you to create different shapes. When you add other shapes in the scene with insert brushes your original geometry will be masked so that you can't accidently edit your original model whilst working on the new one however you can remove it if you wish the same way you can with a regular mask. Once you are happy with the new shape and want to join it to the original mesh you can use Dynamesh to join them. There are ways that you can create your own insert brushes using models that you already have which can make modelling much quicker if you have a brush that is already similar to what you are trying to make.

ZSpheres:

ZSpheres can be used to block out a shape before you go in and add more detail. Its useful to have as a base before you start sculpting onto. You can create ZSpheres by going to Tool > SimpleBrush > ZSphere. You can use the draw mode to add more ZSpheres however it is better to use symmetry when using ZSpheres so that each side is equal however it depends on what your are using them for. Once you are happy with the shape of the ZSpheres you can convert it into geometry by going to Tools > Adaptive Skin > Make Adaptive Skin.

Base Meshes:

A base mesh is something that you use to make creating the sculpt that you want to make quicker and easier. They are usually used for creating characters so that you don't have to make the body every time and you can just place the base mesh in and edit the way you need it and work from there. They are really useful and make sculpting future characters or other items that you have base meshes quicker and saves you quite a bit of time.