Can U make a hard surface base for 3d printing in Zbrush Core? (Without Zmodeler)

[system]

Hi,

I’m new to Zbrush. I have Zbrush core and I want to create a base model (hard surface) with specific dimensions and then use that as a foundation for more detail.

It’s a jewelry object and will be 3d printed. I need some precision (or at least some sense of measurement) but I don’t have ZModeler in this version and I’m not even sure how to measure objects.

Does anyone have tips on how to create basic hard surface forms in measured units without ZModeler?

I tried to import a base from Rhino but the tessalated mesh didn’t play well with Zbrush. Can I make a hard surface base mesh in Zbrush Core alone?

Any help is appreciated. Thanks so much!

[marcus_civis]

ZBrushCore comes with several sized bases which you may be able to adapt to your needs. They’re in the 3D Printing folder under the Project tab of Lightbox.

For example, here’s the Miniature_50x50_base. ZBrushCore uses generic units, so you can regard this as 50mm by 50mm or 50 by 50 inches. (When exporting as an OBJ, the file format uses generic units too, so how these are interpreted will depend on the settings in the external program.)

You can use the Transpose Line to measure, as shown in the picture. To access the Transpose Line, turn on Move mode and turn off the Gizmo. You can then draw out the line to get a measurement. The actual measurement is show in the NoteBar, top left. (If you wish, you can set the units displayed in the Preferences>Transpose Units sub-palette.)

As far as adapting the base is concerned, you’ll probably want to subdivide the mesh and then move points around using the Move brush. And a useful function is Mirror And Weld in the Tool>Geometry>Modify Topology sub-palette.

HTH,

[system]

Thanks Marcus,

That does help. I’ll play around and see what I can come up with. I appreciate it. Thanks.