Hi,
Can you import an image as a reference to mode froml?
Patrick
Sure thing.
First, the image must be either a bitmap or a PSD. It should be of the same proportions that you plan to have your document sized to when you’re modeling, and should preferably be the same dimensions entirely.
Second, go to the Texture palette and import the image.
Third, go the Material palette and choose Flat Color (it’s the first one). This material is unaffected by lighting, so is ideal for this purpose.
Fourth, go to the Layer palette. Select the Modifiers tab, and click the Fill button. This fills the document with the texture, which will resize to fit the document’s dimensions (that’s why I mentioned image size earlier).
Finally, create a new layer to do your modeling on.
Since ZBrush doesn’t have multiple camera angles, you may initially miss the ability to use two or three intersecting images for reference. That can also be solved by the simple expedient of creating your image with two or three angles on it. When you fill the layer with the image, these views will be side by side.
If you want to model directly over the reference image, like you would with Maya or such, then draw and size the tool (using the Transform palette) over each angle, one at a time. Just get the Rotation gyro and click the Info tab in the Transform menu. You will see the object’s X Y and Z rotations. For one view, set them all to 0, then use the Move gyro to position it directly over one view. Drop a marker, and then move it to the next perspective. Rotate the appropriate axis 90 degrees, drop another marker, and then move to another view if you need it. Again set the rotation to be right for that view, and drop a last marker. Exit Edit Mode, then Ctrl-Z or Undo to remove the object.
Now you’ll have three markers for the tool, each with a specific orientation. As you model, you can switch views by exiting edit mode, deleting the object, and then clicking one of the other markers to redraw the object from that angle so that you can continue modeling from the new perspective with the reference image below it.
Hope that helps! If my explanation only confused the matter, let me know and I’ll whip up a ZScript to show the technique in operation.
aurick, your explanation seems to be right on. Glad you took the time, 'cause now I can give the prcedure a try myself.
Thanks so much. Much needed information! 
This is a VERY old thread. In the current version of ZBrush it’s a lot easier. You actually have a couple options:
-
After importing your image into ZBrush, then go to Light >> Background and click the Texture patch. This will let you select the image, setting it to be the background. Turn off the option to Rotate With Object. That’s it! Your model will always be in front of the image, so you don’t need to mess with canvas depth or anything like that.
-
Alternatively, use LightBox and go to the Tool tab, ImagePlane folder. You will see tools for ImagePlaneX and ImagePlaneCube. The former is for if you have front and side views while the other uses four views. You will also see texture templates that you can load and then export from ZBrush to use in Photoshop in order to properly position your reference images. After creating your reference composite, load that back into ZBrush via the Texture palette. Load the appropriate tool from LightBox and then go to the Tool >> Texture Map sub-palette to apply your reference texture to the object. Now for the object you’re going to sculpt: Use Tool >> SubTool >> Append to add it to your reference object as a new SubTool. Select it in the SubTool list. Then turn on Transp and turn off Ghost. (Both are on the shelf to the right of the canvas, as well as in the Transform palette.) You will now be able to see the model that you’re sculpting, and see the reference images through it. Hold Shift as you rotate to snap the view to the closest planar angle.
There’s another quick one you forgot, “See-through Window Transparency”. It’s a slider option at the top right corner near the “QuickSave” button. It basically turns the Zbrush into full or semi-transparency while still keeping it the active window. This is useful for quick easy reference pictures running on browser window/s (or other picture background) behind the Zbrush window.
For better reference the two previously mentioned methods are better. However this one is great for a quick or multiple quick image references without fiddling around with a lot of settings, image sizing, importing, exporting, etc… Just position the image or images on the screen where you want and start sculpting/sketching.
Yea, I noticed the date AFTER I posted my thank you! lol
Thanks for the new tips folks! 