Question about Z-Brush

[Nate Owens]

I have taken a look at Zbrush... The concept and interface are at this time totally foreign to me.... that is not to say it is bad, just that I don't understand it.

QUESTION:

When you are all done making your z-brush creation, do you have a file that can be exported as a normal .stl, .obj, .3ds, or amapi file that contains all of the details that were accomplished in zBrush? (Or is it just for rendering of its own proprietary format?)

My objective is to use it for creation of files that can be sent to a service bureau for 3D printing - they need the stl or vrml format, which I can convert to from .obj or the amapi format.

Do you know anyone who is using zBrush for this sort of thing, and where I could see samples (a web site)? I realize that Glenn Southern uses it a lot, but am not clear if he does any of his 3d print work from the zBrush files.

thanks!

[Thomas]

If I'm not wrong, Glen do his 3D models by himslef, not by 3D printing and after, he does the 3D model in his 3D software...

For Zbrush, you can export in OBJ for exemple, the low or Hi resolution model. But it doesn't support stl or vrml.

[Nate Owens]

Thomas...

Thanks for info on Zbrush.

There is some Glen Southern work at 3D art to Part (a 3D print service) here http://www.3darttopart.com/gallery3.php

[Thomas]

Oh ok, I didn't know, I'll ask him directly

[Grendel]

Nate,
The big problem with using z-brush for 3dprinting is the high poly counts you get when doing fine details like wrinkles and such that makes a z-brush model stand head and shoulders above all others. I use z-brush and when you start to get into level 4-7 subdivision for those details you start to surpass what your 3d program can handle. That is why z-brush is usually used to generate the modelled detail as a displacement map instead of direct export to .obj.
The 3d printing as you know does not support bump and displacement maps so you would have to bring the high detail obj straight from z-brush. After converting your tool(model) to a mesh you can export to obj in z-brush. Here are a few screen caps of a doodle(380000 poly) in z-brush, then exported in obj to hex, and a carrara render.
This is a simple object with not a high poly count in z-brush standards(1mil+). You can also bring your obj into z-brush to add texture to your existing models. I hope this answers your question.

[Grendel]

I don't think the current resolution of the printers can pick up such small detail but I could be wrong. Maybe the stereolithography machines but those are expensive prints compared to the z-corp machines. Let us all know what you find out.

[Nate Owens]

Originally Posted by Grendel

I don't think the current resolution of the printers can pick up such small detail but I could be wrong. Maybe the stereolithography machines but those are expensive prints compared to the z-corp machines. Let us all know what you find out.

Thanks for the tips and info...

Modeling aspirations....
What I was hoping to do is to have an easier method of modeling hair and some other detail (not the extreme detail that Zbrush does, of course, and I don't plan to shell out for ZBrush just for that)... maybe if and when Silo comes out with their next upgrade with the displacement tool I will try that.

Are there any software packages that are a close second to ZBrush?
I suppose it is one of a kind. I have heard of "Houdini" but have not looked it up. Anyway, I am still learning this stuff and have a long way to go compared to the wizards around this forum.

Detail in the 3D prints....
Regarding detail and the Zcorp prints, the newer machine (Z510, I think) does a pretty decent job... the detail is better if it is more emphasized. The photo below of one of the zcorp prints doesn't show it too well, but on the color version of "Bugged" - which is 2 inches high - the bugs legs are about as big around as a sewing needle... blew me away.

(There is a photo of a more recent zcorp print at my digital sculpting page)

--- Yes, Stereolithography is expensive and so is the Polyjet and Objet process.

[Olivier]

I haven't used PolyJet, but with stereolithography, you can be very precise (usually 1/100 mm).
I usually use Amapi to convert to STL format.I haven't converted ZBrushed models, but since I import them into Amapi, I can convert them to STL. It is better if the object is closed. I have converted object of 200 000 polys without problems, so I think the mount of polys can increase a lot.

[Grendel]

Houdini is a full 3d package on steroids. Every bit as good as Maya and XSI but the cost of it is high as well and in general most people have not heard or worked with it. The have a free PLE version called apprentice. It is nothing like z-brush but neither is anything else, z-brush is really out there in it's own niche.

[staigerman]

Originally Posted by Nate Owens

I have taken a look at Zbrush... The concept and interface are at this time totally foreign to me.... that is not to say it is bad, just that I don't understand it.

QUESTION:

When you are all done making your z-brush creation, do you have a file that can be exported as a normal .stl, .obj, .3ds, or amapi file that contains all of the details that were accomplished in zBrush? (Or is it just for rendering of its own proprietary format?)

My objective is to use it for creation of files that can be sent to a service bureau for 3D printing - they need the stl or vrml format, which I can convert to from .obj or the amapi format.

Do you know anyone who is using zBrush for this sort of thing, and where I could see samples (a web site)? I realize that Glenn Southern uses it a lot, but am not clear if he does any of his 3d print work from the zBrush files.

thanks!

Yes, Ken Brilliant, he has written numerous tutorials on Zbrush and also used some Amapi and Lightwave a lot. He's also the author of two books, Modeling Digital Dinosaurs and Building a Digital Human.

http://www.brilliant-creations.com

I would think he probably knows enough to be able to help or do some consulting.

[staigerman]

Originally Posted by Nate Owens

I have taken a look at Zbrush... The concept and interface are at this time totally foreign to me.... that is not to say it is bad, just that I don't understand it.

QUESTION:

When you are all done making your z-brush creation, do you have a file that can be exported as a normal .stl, .obj, .3ds, or amapi file that contains all of the details that were accomplished in zBrush? (Or is it just for rendering of its own proprietary format?)

My objective is to use it for creation of files that can be sent to a service bureau for 3D printing - they need the stl or vrml format, which I can convert to from .obj or the amapi format.

Do you know anyone who is using zBrush for this sort of thing, and where I could see samples (a web site)? I realize that Glenn Southern uses it a lot, but am not clear if he does any of his 3d print work from the zBrush files.

thanks!

By-the-way, does your 3D printer require or use color too or just the 3D geometry? Will you paint it later manually?

I think you can have it saved from Zbrush with 3D geometry and complete texture maps for colors. You might want to combine color maps and bumb maps to mimic some embossed shading effects though, depending on how fine or rough the mesh is saved.

If you're still looking for a way to do all this, by-the-way, you might want to look also into the much cheaper Curvy 3D, which has 'sketchy' base geometries, plus bump mapping and displacement maps you can directly paint on it. Save to 3DS and some game format (.x I think). see details at www.thebest3d.com/curvy - that's if you're on PC.

If you don't need the uv maps saved you can probably do your conversion in Amapi indeed. Depending on which version perhaps even with uv, I just don't recall if the last 7.5 pro version has proper uv map handling.

Or use Carrara? Studio 3 only is $50 in the US with free shipping.

[Frenchy Pilou]

...is in resurrection?

[staigerman]

Originally Posted by Frenchy Pilou

...is in resurrection?

bonne question.

He continues to develop it, it's still in beta for version 2. Looks great as for what I've seen so far.

Not a solution for low-polygon needs yet. But pretty interesting for people who like to sketch and mold.

[Freid]

Nates, 3D print : AWESOME !

[staigerman]

sorry, this was not a little bit off topic, it was *totally* off topic.

I was on the wrong place in the wrong timezone at the wrong level of caffeine - i.e. 'before' my 2nd cup...

[Thomas]

Philip: A little bit offtopic your last message, no?