Matchmaker
Matchmaker allows you to conform one shape to another in ZBrush. This is more powerful than a mere shrink wrap operation as Matchmaker will retain some form between the objects. This makes the tool ideal for applying tracery and molding details to objects. You can even use it to lay on pieces of armor or clothing. Keep in mind that Matchmaker works only down the z-axis. You cannot wrap a stroke around corners or bends that turn away from the camera view. Figure 10.67 shows how the Matchmaker effect works only down the line of sight. Figure 10.68 illustrates how the projection will work only in areas that overlap the target object.
1. From the accompanying DVD, load the ZTool Matchmaker. This consists of a polysphere and an intricate design created in ShadowBox. Orient the ZTool as shown in Figure 10.69.
Figure 10.67 Matchmaker works by projecting down the line of sight to the object.
Figure 10.68 Any areas that are not over a surface will not be projected.
Figure 10.69 Load matchmakerl.ztl from the DVD.
Figure 10.70 Matchmaker conforms the shape to the sphere.
2. From the Brush menu, select the Matchmaker brush. Make sure X Symmetry is off and click-drag from the center of the sphere out. This will conform the shape to the sphere (Figure 10.70).
3. You may want to use Transpose to countersink the shape into the sphere so the fit is more snug (Figure 10.71). Because of the way Matchmaker works, this shape will be conformed perfectly to sit just over the surface of the sphere.
Now that you have seen the tools we will use and the methodology we will follow, let’s move on to something more ornate. In the next exercise we will create a ray gun using ZSketch, ShadowBox, and the hard-surface brushes.
Figure 10.71 Moving the shape closer to the sphere using Transpose
