Introducing the Beginner Guide to ZBrush, a fundamental learning series brought to you by Digital-Tutors, the largest online CG training library in the world and a Pixologic Authorized Training Provider. In this course you will get an introductory look into ZBrush so you can learn essential terms and definitions and build a solid foundation. We will start off by covering the basics of the ZBrush interface and how you can work with models in the application. We will then take a look at how models are subdivided and how you can then sculpt and paint the detail you want. You will also learn about adding materials, posing geometry, and creating models using ZSpheres. And to wrap up, we will look at how plug-ins can be used to extend the functionality of ZBrush. This series of step-by-step videos was developed with artists new to ZBrush in mind so we will be moving at a steady, easy-to-follow pace making sure you understand terms and basic techniques. To view more Beginner Guide courses; visit our library where you will find the largest collection of free, high-quality CG training videos.

With the release of Zbrush 4 a number of new features have been added that will make sculpting and painting even easier and more fun. In this course we will take a look at some of those new features and how they can be used in your workflow. We'll start by exploring some of the changes to the way we can interact with subtools. We will look at new brush settings like elasticity and topological masking that can help us to shape our models more quickly. We will take a look at the new Shadow Box and Clip Brushes that will really aid us in creating hard surface models. We will also cover Spotlight, a great tool for manipulating and adjusting images and projecting them onto our models. Finally we'll go over some of the new rendering functionality and look at the animation tools and how they can help us better present our models. Once done with the tutorials, you will have a much better idea of some of the new features to look for in Zbrush 4 and how you can start to use those in your own projects.

ZSpheres have been a great way of building up more complex base geometry in ZBrush to serve as a basis for sculpting. This feature allows us to stay in ZBrush and work up concepts and models very quickly. With the addition of ZSketching in ZBrush 3.5, this process becomes even better. In this course, we'll learn to add mass to ZSphere armatures using a variety of ZSketch brushes. We'll learn to modify how our sketching interacts with the existing ZSpheres using our brush depth and the various smooth brushes. We'll look at ways we can modify existing sketched detail using the move tool, as well as brushes like push/pull, float, and bulge. In addition to creating mass along an existing armature, we'll use the armature brush to sketch detail out away from the surface, allowing you to create much more freeform shapes. We'll then explore some of the ways we can output geometry so that we can begin sculpting. Upon completion of the tutorials, you'll be ready to get started sketching out your own base geometry in ZBrush.

Popular highlights include: Fast Creation with Rapid Start Interface; Overview of 2.5D and ZBrush Pixols; Sculpting with Imported 3D Geometry; Subtools for Multiple 3D Meshes; Sculpting Workflow Overview; Adding Detail with Alpha Brushes; Creating Custom Alphas; Precision Sculpting with Stencils; Freeform Selections with Lasso Tool; Topological Masking; Reposing 3D Meshes with Transpose; Photographic-based Materials with Matcap; Building Meshes with ZSpheres; Adding New Details with Mesh Extraction; Refining Details with 3D Layers.

Topics covered in this tutorial: Duplicating and mirroring subtools; Merging subtools; Filling subtools with colors and materials. To learn more about ZBrush check out Introduction to ZBrush 3, a complete introductory guide to learning time-saving modeling, sculpting, and painting techniques and tools that are used throughout the Film and Games industries.

Topics covered in this tutorial: Learning how to use the Save ZTool button ; Using Multi Append to assemble multiple subtools ; Assigning and using hotkeys. Gain a complete understanding of ZBrush with Detailing Next-Gen Characters in ZBrush, a production-based approach to character creation for games.

Topics covered in this tutorial: Using Posable Symmetry ; Changing the axis of Symmetry ; Learning the benefits of sculpting with Posable Symmetry instead of regular Symmetry . To learn more about ZBrush check out Texturing Next-Gen Characters in ZBrush, a production-based approach to character texturing for games.

Topics covered in this tutorial: Accessing the Mesh Insert brush ; Loading a tool for use in the Mesh Insert brush ; Changing the elevation of the inserted object using BrushMod ; Dealing with common Mesh Insert problems . Discover a comprehensive resource to learning ZBrush with Exaggerating Facial Expressions in ZBrush and Maya, an in-depth guide to creating facial blendshapes for film and games.

Topics covered in this tutorial: Creating a movie; Exploring the Turntable Plus Plugin; Learning turntable keyframes; Using layers within the turntable animation . To learn more about ZBrush check out Detailing Next-Gen Characters in ZBrush, a production-based approach to character creation for games.

Topics covered in this tutorial: Decreasing the overall poly count for rigging ; Learning how to use the Reconstruct Subdivision tool. Learn more about ZBrush with Texturing Next-Gen Characters in ZBrush, a production-based approach to character texturing for games.

Topics covered in this tutorial: Drawing an action line ; Using a topological mask ; Working with transpose to re-pose a model ; Learning to soften and harden a mask . For a detailed guide to sculpting in ZBrush check out Sculpting Caricatures in ZBrush 3, a complete resource to sculpting exaggerated likenesses.

Topics covered in this tutorial: Learning how to hide geometry ; Refining the selection ; Working with Subtool visibility ; Learning various attributes of the Extract command . To learn more about ZBrush check out Sculpting Techniques with ZBrush 3, a comprehensive guide to digital sculpting with ZBrush.

Topics covered in this tutorial: Creating a 3D Layer accessible only to a specific subdivision level; Storing our Poses in a 3D Layer; Turning off and on or blending individual layers. Discover techniques and workflows to digital sculpting, texture painting, modeling, material creation and rendering in ZBrush with the ZBrush Extreme Bundle.

Topics covered in this tutorial: Exporting the base mesh from ZBrush; Editing the mesh in another application; Re-importing the mesh into ZBrush while maintaining all sculpted detail. Gain a complete understanding of ZBrush check out ZSphere Modeling in ZBrush, a complete guide to organic modeling with ZSpheres.

Topics covered in this tutorial: Adding geometry to a specific area; Sculpting additional details; Smoothing different parts of a ZBrush mesh; Refining parts of the mesh that are visible. To learn more about ZBrush check out Introduction to ZBrush 3, a complete introductory guide to learning time-saving modeling, sculpting, and painting techniques and tools that are used throughout the Film and Games industries.

Topics covered in this tutorial: Learning how to draw smooth, flawless lines; Sculpting dense geometry; Smoothing out our brush strokes. Learn more about ZBrush by viewing Introduction to ZBrush 3, a complete introductory guide to learning time-saving modeling, sculpting, and painting techniques and tools that are used throughout the Film and Games industries.

Topics covered in this tutorial: Exporting OBJs from ZBrush ; Setting OBJ Import options correctly for ZBrush from Maya ; Exporting OBJs from Maya to ZBrush ; Reimporting into ZBrush to keep the details intact . To learn more about ZBrush check out Introduction to ZBrush 3, a complete introductory guide to learning time-saving modeling, sculpting, and painting techniques and tools that are used throughout the Film and Games industries.