3D Modelling

ZBrushCoreMini is a free version of professional 3D Modelling software. 3D Modelling is used to create character models for films, video games, and board games. Learning to use 3D Modelling tools is an important first step if you are interested in pursuing a career in one of these areas.

Using ZBrushCoreMini

Even though there are a range of tools available, the tools that you are likely to use the most are the "Move" tool and the "Clay Build" tool.

When using the tools we need to consider the Draw Size of our drawing tool as well as the Z Intensity. The Draw Size determines the size of our brush, the Z Intensity determines how much of an effect we want to have when we use it.

Main helpful tools:
  • Move tool
  • Clay build tool
  • Smoothing tool (used by holding shift and clicking)
​
Picture
Move and Clay Build tools
Picture
Draw Size and Z Intensity settings
Activity -  15 minutes: load up ZBrushCoreMini and play around with all of the tools. Change the Draw Size and the Z Intensity to see what happens.
ALSO see what happens when you hold and the Alt key when clicking and dragging with the mouse.

Project One: watch the video below and use it to create a custom monster of your own. Put a screenshot in OneNote


​Project Two: Create an Ogre (1 lesson)

Before we get onto creating more realistic models we're going to do a little more practice with monsters

Today's task is to create your own ogre. Have a look at the examples on the right for inspiration.

​Make sure that you put a screenshot of your final product on OneNote.

Project Three: Create a model of a cat head (2 lessons)

Picture
Mr Tyler's first attempt
Now that you're familiar with the tools, let's put our skills towards something a bit harder: a cat's head.

This task and the future tasks will require you to slowly work on different aspects piece by piece. In every step you will be using a mixture of the move tool, the clay build tool, and the smooth tool.

1) When you start use the move tool to form the ball into a shape like this:
2) Once you're happy with the base shape of the face, use the clay build tool to create some matter to use as the ears.
3) Use the move tool to pull the ears into a more cat-ear shape.
4) Hold shift and use a small brush size to go over the ears and smooth them out.
5) Use the clay brush tool to build up some shape around the eyes and draw an eye to get an idea about the shape.
6) Hold the alt key with the clay build tool to hollow out the eye socket. Next, hold the shift key to smooth it all out.
7) Shape the nose a little more, put in some nostrils and a mouth. Next, add a little more shape to the upper lip.
8) Add some more shape to the cheeks.
9) And voila! You've made a cat's head! Here's Mr Tyler's second attempt (he likes his first one better).

Project Four: Cat with a body (2 lessons)

Using your newly developed skills, create the rest of the body for your cat head.

Copy the file that you created for the head so that you have that as a copy.

Hint: Use the clay build tool to build up parts of the body to then pull and make bigger with the move tool. E.g. make the rough shape of a neck, then pull it out into the neck and body, then do the same with the legs.

Project Five: Create a model of a human head (3 lessons)

This task involves you sculpting a realistic human head and it is by far the hardest task, because of the "Uncanny Valley"....

With this in mind, do your best to create one! Below are some videos to follow as a guide. Remember, it's much easier to use something as a reference than to do it from your head!