Graphics Programs Reference
In-Depth Information
Exporting from ZBrush
Before we can render this figure outside of ZBrush, we would need to either generate displacement or nor-
mal maps with a low-res model or export high-resolution decimated models, which can be rendered outside
ZBrush. Normal and displacement mapping is a complicated process which is absolutely necessary if you
want to export your figure to a rendering and animation pipeline. Since we will be rendering still images,
we can take a much simpler route and decimate the figure. To do this we will use a ZBrush plug-in called
Decimation Master. We cover Decimation Master in much more detail in Chapter 11 but I will give you the
basic steps for its use here.
Decimating the Figure
Decimation Master is used to reduce the overall poly count of the figure while retaining the details. The
posed Forest Spirit model, exported at full resolution would be far too heavy to open and manipulate in Maya
successfully. The system would be unstable and memory would likely crash. By reducing the poly count
with Decimation Master, you reduce the file size. The original ZTool is 275 megabytes and several million
polygons. After Decimation Master the resulting model is 38.1 megabytes and 999,000 faces. This polygon
count and file size is perfectly suited for rendering in Maya. By decimating the model you will retain all
your detail without having to resort to complex shader networks to render normal maps or displacements in
mental ray.
If you want to know more about rendering displacement and normal maps, I have included
some bonus videos on the DVD or download files that deal with this.
Follow the steps below to export the decimated figure.
1. Load the ZProject file goatman_posed.ZPR containing the posed figure from the DVD or the download
files into ZBrush.
2. Make sure the body SubTool is currently selected under Tool SubTools ( Figure 9-4 ). You also want
to be sure you are at the highest subdivision level so all of the model's detail is visible. Open the ZPlugin
menu from the top of the screen and click the radial icon to dock it to the side of the interface. From the
ZPlugin menu open the Decimation Master submenu ( Figure 9-5 ).
Figure 9-4: The body is the active SubTool selected in this screenshot.
 
 
 
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