Of course, there’s more to it than just that. Assuming, of course, you’ve already become skilled at a first software package. I know I’m not alone among 3D CAD jewellers when I say this may be the most powerful secondary software package you can get for creating complex jewellery.

Once you finally get used to using the software, however, it is hard to underestimate just how powerful the texturing and sculpting tools in this software can be. What the Zbrush forums and website don’t tell you, however, is just how non-intuitive the interface really is for newcomers to 3D modelling, and how steep a learning curve this software requires.

Zbrush’s Advantages and DisadvantagesĮven a cursory glance at work of Zbrush artists will quickly show the unbelievable potential this software holds for being able to create texture and sculpted surface detail on any CAD model. Only recently has Zbrush started to appear in the realm of CAD jewellery design, but since it has appeared it has become one of the tools of choice for the purpose of adding texture and sculptural forms to jewellery. With each new version and service release, its digital clay sculpting tools have become increasingly powerful and easier to use. However, as time has gone on, the 3D sculpting tools enclosed within this 2.5D program have become the main feature most users seem to be interested in, so its use has expanded into CGI and digital effects, and eventually into product design.

They patented a “ pixol” architecture which stored 3-dimensional information with colour pixels for easier and more sculptural relief editing. ZBrush was originally designed as a digital painting tool with 2.5D features which allowed illustrators to use 3D models and relief tools to enhance the realism of their digital imagery.

Learning z brush