ZBrushCentral

canvas/render size/format

ZBrush Usage Questions
#1

I do illustration for publications and would like to use Zbrush to render final output for some of these. (In case it’s necessary to say so, I just started… I’m doing some sculpting and trying to get to terms with the basics.)

Yes, I have searched in quite a few places, so here I am…

For instance… say I need to do an 8.5 x 11 inch vertical illustration… so how would I set up the canvas to get there? Some programs show a frame for working in at the desired size as you work which is really handy.

Hate to ask dumb questions… I’ll keep looking but thanks for your patience and a tip if you have any…:confused:

#2

You can change the size of the “canvas” using the DOCUMENT menu at the top of the application. Open the menu, DEselect the “PRO” (preserve proportions) button and enter the size you want the document to be, in pixels. For example, an 8.5X11 document at 300dpi would be 2550x3300 pixels. Then press the “RESIZE” button and voila! The frame with the shaded background will be your 8.5x11 canvas, which you can zoom in and out of with the zoom button.

If you are going to be painting in 2.5D on the canvas, you will need to do this at the very beginning and you will definitely see a performace hit due to the number of pixels/pixols being calculated at that size and resolution.

If you are sculpting / modelling in 3D, then I recommend using the default document size, finishing your sculpt, and then resizing the document at the very end, at which point you can scale up the 3D model to properly fit.

#3

Thanks much –

I figured it would be something simple and obvious.
I’m making a big text file and storing it in my Z-folder with all these gems of info clipped and pasted in… this one just went in.

My idea for doing a project, keeping your advice in mind, would be to do some rough 2d layout that is proportional to the final art, scaled to the default z window and then plop it into the background of Z document as a guide. (I saw a tut on that someplace.) I assume that this background guide could be toggled visible or not visible? - also that a low rez jpg for the background guide would not drain the resources too much?

This is great information - I appreciate your time and input

#4

You might also like to take a look at Markers:

http://www.zbrush.info/docs/index.php/Marker_Palette .

These are very useful for when you want to work small and then scale up to get the resolution needed for print work. Basically you can use a Marker to record a position of a 3D tool on the canvas. You can use any number of markers but as clicking on them can be more difficult at larger canvas sizes it’s probably best to use them sparingly. The big advantage is that they will automatically scale your 3D tools to the new canvas size.

For keeping things separate, and being able to use a background image that you can turn on and off, take a look at Layers:
http://www.zbrush.info/docs/index.php/Layer_Palette

#5

Thanks, Marcus… a couple more rungs on my ladder up to Z-Land…
“cool beans” :wink: (? - always liked my beans hot - ?)