Week 2 - Introduction to Zbrush + Skull Study

 In this lesson we tried out Zbrush for the first time, and then for independent work we sculpted a skull. Zbrush has a very interesting UI that doesn't control the same way most other software controlls, but I hope I get used to it the more I use it.

These first few screenshots are me just messing around/experimenting/ trying to get familiar with the UI etc. I hadn't gone into edit mode or made it a polymesh, I think this might be 2.5D mode. I'm just using the simple brush here.

 

This head came from the tools/projects section, shortcut to show/hide it is the comma key. I've tried to build up the features like the nose and brow here, it looked good from the side but not so much from the front, still using the simple brush here.

 

This is the sphere from the tools section, shortcut to edit mode is T and then you have to select "make polymesh3D" on the right before sculpting. The following is more experimentation/ playing around with the software:

 

 

 

Here I think I was trying the very conveluted way of zooming in/out (pressing alt, clicking and holding, releasing alt, then you can zoom. I think it was in that order?)

 

 

 

 

At this point we were told that holding alt when sculpting alllows you to carve:

 

 

(Hollow Knight Wiki, n.d.)

 

Trying to see if I can sculpt some of these Hollow Knight charms

 

 

 

 

 

This last one was just more "doodling" (can you doodle in 3D?)

 

 

(Aljulew, n.d.)

Here was the skull I sculpted using the reference above:

 

 

I used the move and clay tools here, cant remember exactly what happened in what order, I was sort of aimlessly trying different brushes, different brush sizes and intensities, and seeing what worked or not. I think I used the move tool to get the general shape first, then I built up areas using the clay finish brushes, carved with those too. I had the mirror tool on for the first half, then turned it off for finishing details. I also applied dynamesh at certain points, but I can't remember when. I quite like how this turned out, although the proportions are a bit off (e.g. nose cavity needs to be taller), and areas like the chin and the back of the head are especially warped at certain angles - but for a first attempt I'm happy with this.

 

References

Aljulew, n.d. Study the Human Skull [online]. Pinterest. Available at: https://uk.pinterest.com/pin/205124958004974255/ [Accessed 10 October 2024].

Hollow Knight Wiki, n.d. Charms [online]. Fandom. Available at: https://hollowknight.fandom.com/wiki/Category:Charms [Accessed 11 October 2024].