i just started using zbrush and used CDEdwards tutorials to make a really cool picture, but now i want to put a back ground in. is it possible to make it in another layer and then move that layer to the back and move the layer with the object to the front?
Hi bannon_11, and Welcome to ZBrush Central!
If you are using the full version, you can use the ‘Displace Z’ slider in the Layer Palette to adjust where the layers are in comparison to each other. You can use this to imbed objects from one layer into another, or to completely separate the layers from each other.
-ZuZu 
Unfortunately i’m using the demo version, is there another way to move the layers? Also is there a way to just select all the objects on a layer and copy them, and then paste them to a new layer?
ola, bannon_11! 
i was in demomode for looong time but did not find a way to do what you want… 
except composing single .pds files in photoshop AND (much better) planning on the next one. try to get the Zmodel you are creating on one layer way in front (while being in move-mode drag the cursor downwards outside of the gyro & the tool) so there is room enough back there for placing - for example - a painted plane as a background.
hope
a) that helps and
b) i havn’t told anything wrong here
recommendation: go get the full version asap, it’s a tremenduous price/service ratio!
Hey Bannon
I think this should work. Tell me if it doesn’t with the demo. Please try it out with a test sphere in a blank document.
- Create a new layer in the Layer Palette. (sphere in one and a new second one)
- Looking at the Layer Palette you see a new little box appear beside the other layers to represnt the new layer. It should be green with a white boarder around it.
- Hold SHIFT on the keyboard, and move your cursor over this new green-box and click on it. This turns all the other layers off. (they turn grey and your image disapears from the document window). Don’t worry, you can turn the other layer back on later.
- Select the Simple Brush tool from the tools palette, and turn off ZADD from the floating menu. Choose a color and CTRL+ F to fill the layer. Choose more colors and paint a background as you planned. (as a quick test paint the word “ZBRUSH”
- Turn all the layers back on again by the same method as you turned them off (shift-click on the new layer’s icon in the Layers Palette). When the old layer(s) are turned back on again you’ll notice they are “imbeded” halfway through your painted layer.
- With the new painted layer selected in the Layers Palette, Hold down the titel-key
(~) - (On the keyboard - beside the number one key - below the escape key) and click’n’drag in the document window and this should move the layer back and forth towards or away from you. Move it back behind the main object. Woolaa! Finished!
Sorry there’s no pictures. My main ZBrush machine is being gutted and rebuilt at the mo. This was all off the top of my head.
Catch ya bud.
Upham
thanks for all the help, but it still didnt work, when you merge the layers together so they are imposed on each other, then try to move the second layer to the back with the titel key, it doesnt work. nothing happens when you hold it and drag i tryed a bunch of key combinations with the key but none of them worked. unforunately i’m only 17 and in school and dont have 300 dollars laying around to buy the full version. although i would really like to be able to get it in the future.
Oh stink! Sorry. I made a mistake!
Step six: hold down the titel key (~) AND the CTRL key … (or was it the ALT/OPTION key?), and then click and drag in the document window. This should move the layer back!
Ahh, and you DO-NOT merge the layers! Why would you want to do that? You move the painted layer behind the first layer (with the sphere in it). There is a “Merge-layers” button, just in case this is what is causing confusion with describing things in this post. You just turn the sphere layer on (clicking on it so it is green. Then reselect the painted layer).
I don’t have access to ZBrush at the mo, as my main computer is currently installing a new copy of Windows 2000 as I write.
You could raise some money by selling your bed and clothes and bike! Come on! Where are your priorities! (Your parents credit card might be hidden behind the fish-tank!)
Upham
PS. Hey bud, I’m halfway through a webpage tutorial similar to this thread, spelling it all out with pictures. Touch-wood, it should be finished this week. Keep tuning in and keep asking questions!
i didnt merge the layers, i meant that i had turned them all on and the parts of the different layers had merged together and covered each other. the layer still doesnt move when i use the titel and the different key combinations. but i think i’ve found a fix by just messing around, if i use a single layer brush but turn the z depth way down i can set it behind all but a tiny portion of chain. i can make the background work by not putting on the chain links that are deeper in the z layer. it wont be exactly what i want but it will be better than a flat color background.
Hey cool Bannon. Any chance we could see your pic??
Upham.
well i guess you all helped me with this, so i figured i’ld post it. its the first thing with 3d objects in it, so its not very good. but anyways i’m going to start trying faces next, it takes a while to get used to zbrush and all its options.
Wow! I’m sure CDE will be proud you have made such an impressive picture from one of his tutorials! Good on you Bannon. You’ve shown you can handle the gyro, and moving objects into place. The two jewels are a fine assett to the picture and you’rve composed them well.
So … what are you going to do next? I recomend Southerns Space monkey tutorial. It’s a good “step-two”.
Catch ya.
Upham.
~ = tilde key.
Three comments:
- Unfortunatly, the tilde (~) key doesn’t work in the demo, (as far as I know.)
- Another way to work around your problem is:
:b2: Turn of the layer with your main objects.
:b2: On a different layer, make your background.
:b2: In the Tool Palette, select the MRGBZGrabber tool.
:b2: From the center of your document, drag outward so that the white box covers the screen. Release the botton. The Colors (and Alpha, though here you won’t need it.) are copied to the Texture and Alpha Palettes.
:b2: Turn on the layer with your main objects, but stay on the background layer.
:b2: In the Tool Palette select the Plane3D tool.
:b2: In the Texture Palette, select the one with your background. Now click and drag to make the plane.
:b2: In the Transform Palette, select the Move button. Open the Info subpalette. Because you’re in demo mode, the document size is 640x480, so in the X slider type 320, and in the Y slider type 240. (This centers the plane.)
:b2: Now click on the Size botton. As before, type #20, then 240. (This sizes the plane to the document.)
:b2: If your plane is not flat, click the Rotation button. Set all the sliders to zero.
:b2: Click the move button. Now click on the plane in the document, outside the the Gyro, (the multi-colored wheels in the center), and drag the mouse up or down. The will move your plane on the Z axis, so moving it backward will put it behind your main objects.
BTW, I’m still using the demo, so this will work on yours.
- Cool image! I see CDE’s tutorial helped. The colors and lighting a very good. Keep posting!
well done, bannon! the background is very beautiful and was well worth all the “trouble”.
But was it worth the Headache? 
heh i like it. It did give me a headache though reading all that stuff…Nice pic
Nice work. I think you’ve passed my tutorial exams. 