Key Concepts

From ZBrush Info

ZBrush is a powerful sculpting, painting and design application. Inside ZBrush you can:

• Work with 3D models.
• Work with 2D images.
• Work with a 2.5D canvas.

ZBrush's interface is designed around a principle of Circularity. All menus items are designed and intended to work together in a non-linear and mode-free way. This way, ZBrush facilitates the interaction of 3D models, 2D images and 2.5D Pixols in new and unique ways. This circularity requires a regulator to tell ZBrush what state it should be in and what tools will be available for the artist at that time: Is the artist working on a 3D model or is the artist working on the 2.5D canvas?

The feature that regulates this is called Edit Mode. Edit Mode turns on either 3D Edit mode or Paint mode.

When Edit mode is on, ZBrush is ready to sculpt a 3D model.

When it is off, ZBrush is ready to manipulate a model or use tools like the Simple Brush in the canvas.

To learn more about ZBrush's Modes click here.

3D models are 3D geometrical representations of objects that exist entirely in the computer. They can be brought into ZBrush as an .obj or .dxf or can be created entirely in ZBrush with ZSpheres or 3D primitives. ZBrush also ships with several base meshes for you to begin your sculpting with or just to help you get familiar with the application.

To learn more about 3D Models click here.

ZBrush's 2.5D Canvas is a depth enabled picture plane. Imagine you are looking at a photograph and that the photograph you are holding goes backwards and forwards in space. To learn more about 2.5D Canvas click here.