How to Zbrush

This software tutorial shows you how to mirror geometry when modeling in Zbrush. This is a more non-organic method of sculpting in Zbrush but it allows you to duplicate details on both sides of an object without having to redo the details. Learn how to mirror geometry in secti ...more

This tutorial explains setting up your image planes in Zbrush 3.1 and burning textures into them so you can work on sculpting whatever you want from a reference image.

This tutorial goes over mesh projections. Specifically, transferring the 3D details from one mesh to another.

This 3D modeling software tutorial shows you how to work with the Projection Master tools in Zbrush. You will learn how to work with proper UV textures and UV mapping as well as how to properly project textures on a model using projection master. This will give your Zbrush mod ...more

Learn how to fix a hole in your mesh in Zbrush 3.1

So, you want to add some weird things, like horns to your 3D animated character in Pixologic's Zbrush 3.1 sculpting software. Well, you've come to the right place. This video tutorial will teach you how to add Zspheres to your sculpt in Zbrush and why. Your 3D animated model w ...more

This tutorial covers using Paint effects with Maya to quickly make hair and export it to Zbrush for your Zbrush models.

This Pixologic Zbrush 3.1 video tutorial shows you how to place eyes in your 3D animated character's head. You'll have to sculpt out those eye sockets out first and then grab a squirkle to work with, using a few tools. If you want to be a great 3D digital animator, learning th ...more

This 3D modeling software tutorial is all about UVs and using them in Zbrush. Learn how to paint on a model and why it's important to use proper UVs on a model not just in Zbrush but in any 3D modeling package. Learn how to poly paint in Zbrush and use UVs to keep the resoluti ...more

This tutorial shows you how to set up some basic three point lighting in Zbrush 3.1.

This four part tutorial is Lesson 11 in the Zbrush series from Jason Welsh. It explains almost everything you need to know to texture a 3D creature in Zbrush. Part one teaches you how to produce a color map, part two goes over 32 bit normal maps and Displacement maps, part thr ...more

This covers displacement mapping in a WHOLE new way in the Maya Zbrush workflow. Using Alpha grabs in Zbrush you are able to displace geometry in Maya.

Lesson 8 of Jason Welsh's Zbrush tutorial series covers how to use and combine subtools. NOTE: This link is to a Flash version of the first 5 minutes of this 60+ minute tutorial. A download link is provided on the page for the full WMP tutorial.

This tutorial shows you how to take your Zbrush character into Maya, pose it, and import the pose back into Zbrush. NOTE: This link is to a Flash version of the first 5 minutes of this hour long tutorial. A download link is provided on the page for the full WMP tutorial.

In this 3D modeling software tutorial you will learn how to use Zspheres in Zbrush. This tutorial gives a general overview of how the Zsphere tool works and then how to use it in Zbrush. PART 1: What is a Zsphere PART 2: Warnings of the Zsphere PArt 3 and 4: More tips on worki ...more

This video series is all about alphas in Zbrush! Step away from learning how to sculpt in Zbrush, and learn how to work, in-depth, with alpha mattes. If you don't know what an alpha is, this is a GREAT place to start. PART 1: What is an alpha PART 2: Using primitives with alph ...more

This Zbrush tutorial shows how a smooth look when modeling can be achieved just by removing some higher Sub-Division levels and re-working the details back in.

Jason Welsh shows you how to make a human face in Zbrush 3.1 and gives easy steps for roughing out form. This tutorial is more about process than specific tool movements so you should be familiar with sculpting tools already. NOTE: This link is to a Flash version of the first ...more

In this Zbrush tutorial Jason goes over everything you need to know about painting textures and more. NOTE: This link is to a Flash version of the first 5 minutes of this 45 minute tutorial. A download link is provided on the page for the full WMP tutorial.

This tutorial goes over how to grab your polypainted colors or textures and turn them in to an actual ZBrush 3 texture to be applied to an object or background.

This two part tutorial explains how to work with Zbrush and Second Life. You'll learn how to create textures in Zbrush and export them directly into Second Life. NOTE: This link is to a Flash version of the first 5 minutes of this 60+ minute tutorial. A download link is provi ...more

This beginners tutorial shows you how to sculpt a head from a sphere in Zbrush 2.5.

If you've come home from a long day of work, you might just want to sculpt in Pixologic's Zbrush 3.1 3D sculpting software. So sculpt out of clay to practice the Zbrush 3D modeling program, don't work on Zspheres or an entire model, practice on sculpting. If you plan on being ...more

This 3D modeling software tutorial shows you how to make a squirkle in Zbrush 3.1. What's a squirkle? it's a square circle divided down once - perfect for faces! Sculpt in Zbrush with this piece of geometry and you can never go wrong.

In this lesson we will be sculpting a human skull from image planes in Zbrush 3.0. NOTE: This link is to a Flash version of the first 5 minutes of this 2 hour tutorial. A download link is provided on the page for the full WMP tutorial.

This video is another in a series on working with Zbrush to create textures to be used in Maya. This particular video covers generating diffuse maps.

Are you fed up using Zbrush? Are you just not cut out to be a 3D digital sculptor? Nah, all you need is a little practice. Check out this three-part Pixologic video tutorial on how to use the basics when sculpting a head. You'll see how to make the perfect 3D animated head, an ...more

ZAppLink 3 is a ZBrush plugin that allows you to seamlessly integrate your favorite image editing software into your ZBrush 3.1 workflow. In this tutorial you will learn how to open Photoshop while in ZBrush, use it to modify the active ZBrush document or tool, and then go str ...more

This tutorial shows a way of baking your textures using 3D studio Max. A useful tutorial for Zbrush sculptors. You'll also need Photoshop.

In this special edition Jason Welsh takes on unwrapping captain subtools in Blender from Zbrush and makes him a brand new set of UVS then brings it back to Zbrush. NOTE: This link is to a Flash version of the first 5 minutes of this hour long tutorial. A download link is provi ...more

This Zbrush 3.1 tutorial covers using layers and Alpha Shapes and a plugin named imageplane3 by Marcus at Pixologic.com to create a shield in Zbrush. You should already know the basics of working in Photoshop. NOTE: This link is to a Flash version of the first 5 minutes of thi ...more

Having Zbrush on your computer is like having a limitless stash of sculpting clay. This video tutorial will teach you how to sculpt a torso in Zbrush starting from a Zsketch base. Zsketch is one of the coolest features of Zbrush 3.5, so take advantage of it!

This is a beginner tutorial that goes over the basics of masking in ZBrush 3. Creating masks allows for areas to be untouched when you start painting.

This 5 part tutorial goes through the right steps to use when sculpting a creature or character in Zbrush. If you do things in the right order, it will be easier and create a better result. First, establish a workable base mesh, then make your bust, then part three is to creat ...more

Learn how to make UVs in Blender and import the new UVs to Zbrush's High res model. This is important since Zbrush uses AUV's which are not recognizable by other packages or game engines. Once you have proper UV's, you will learn how to create the clothes (superhero costume) f ...more

This tutorial shows you how to subscatter particles (SSS) across the surface of a mesh using Zbrush and Maya then rendering with Mental Ray. In part one uvs are added to the Zbrush head to support the textures on the sss node. Part two shows you the basic node setup in Maya. P ...more

This 3D modeling software tutorial explains how to paint with pixels on a model in Zbrush. When you paint with pixels what you do is get variance on your surface and use that as an illustration to keep a viewers interest. Learn how to paint with pixels in Zbrush and create pat ...more

This video shows displacement maps made in Zbrush and applied in modo.

Using Zbrush Jason makes very high resolution textures then adds them to objects in a scene in Maya. You'll also learn how to create lighting to add realism to the scene. NOTE: This link is to a Flash version of the first 5 minutes of this 60+ minute tutorial. A download link ...more

THis video from accredited 3D art instructor Andrew Klein covers how to create symmetrical and asymmetrical blendshapes using the 3D sculpting program Zbrush. This is a fairly complex process, utilizing transpose masking features, move brush, smart resym, and morph target tool ...more

Jason Welsh shows you how to use polygroups in Pixologic's Zbrush 3.1 3D sculpting software and explains the difference between a subtool in a polymesh structure, when combining. So, for all you 3D modelers out there, if you want to make great animated characters, this is a go ...more

This video from accredited 3D art instructor Andrew Klein covers some basic techniques for using Zbrush to sculpt the details of a 3D model of a shoe. He already has a basic model of a shoe when he begins, so you should be at the level where you can sculpt that before you watc ...more

Learn how to buiild a sculptable / poseable mesh for Zbrush in Maya. This tutorial is geared towards people completely new to Maya. NOTE: This link is to a Flash version of the first 5 minutes of this 60 minute tutorial. A download link is provided on the page for the full WMP ...more

If you have ever done a multi UV model this is how you now handle multi-UV multi-Mesh in Zbrush 3.1. NOTE: This link is to a Flash version of the first 5 minutes of this 30 minute tutorial. A download link is provided on the page for the full WMP tutorial.

This is a tutorial on texturing a 3d model with texture cloned from a 2d image using the ZProject tool in ZBrush 3.

Before you start sculpting in Pixologic's Zbrush 3.1 3D modeling software, you'll want to have references to follow by. So, check out this video to see how to use Andrew Loomis's art books for referencing while sculpting in Zbrush. You'll see where to get Loomis's books on the ...more

This Zbrush tutorial shows you how to make a biped character out of Zspheres. NOTE: This link is to a Flash version of the first 5 minutes of this 30 minute tutorial. A download link is provided on the page for the full WMP tutorial.

Debug your Zbrush displacement maps with this handy video. Both in Maya and in 3D Studio Max.

Using Maya you'll learn to produce an alpha to use in Zbrush. Very easy method to make a controlled alpha without using Zdepth tools in Zbrush. In part two, Using Zbrush tools to make a tileable texture. Texture sculpting techniques and the 2.5d tools within Zbrush. Part three ...more

This tutorial shows you how to model a lizard and prepare it for texturing in Zbrush. The goals are to remember to pay attention to real life posture and use a good clean poly-structure. NOTE: This link is to a Flash version of the first 5 minutes of this 45 minute tutorial. A ...more

Fabric is challenging to depict in art because of its many folds and the complex ways that light plays off of it. This video from accredited 3D art instructor Andrew Klein will teach you how to sculpt fabric using the popular 3D sculpting program Zbrush. He outlines the forces ...more

Learn how to separate your model based on texture and material in the pre-modeling stages in Zbrush 3.1. This is important for people who hard model in another software and texture in Zbrush.

Learn how to quickly hide and reveal elements of a model in Zbrush 3 with this video tutorial. The tutorial is short, but goes over some good hotkeys.

When you use an image as a texture map, usually the object you are applying the texture to is larger than the image, so it gets mapped repeatedly onto the object. When this happens you get a "tiling" effect and that's not usually desired. This tutorial shows you how to create ...more

This video uses a skull modeled in other Zbrush lessons by Jason Walsh to discuss ideas and ways to think about presenting compositions, render passes and posting work for others to see, and for job applications. You don't need to have the skull built to follow this video. Thi ...more

This tutorial covers joining models together using topology tools. You'll join a head with good topology with the body from another model. NOTE: This link is to a Flash version of the first 5 minutes of this 45 minute tutorial. A download link is provided on the page for the f ...more

Multi mesh objects can be a pain to pose. But this video tells you all you need to know to look out for in order for it to be painless. This is good workflow advice for moving and posing characters with lots of armor and tools in Zbrush. NOTE: This link is to a Flash version ...more

This is a maya 8.5 lesson but Jason really wanted to cover this crash course in animation for Zbrush users. This is everything you need to know for a pose to pose animation setup. This is geared towards illustrators to learn the basics, not full animators. NOTE: This link is ...more

This tutorial shows you how to sculpt a battle axe in Zbrush 3.0. Learn some sculpting techniques and hard edge base modeling. NOTE: This link is to a Flash version of the first 5 minutes of this 2+ hour tutorial. A download link is provided on the page for the full WMP tutor ...more

In this tutorial you'll learn how to move, scale and rotate and pose a model in Z Brush 3. This is definitely a beginners tutorial.