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Pixologic
TextureMaster.
ZBrushCentral

TEXTURING MICHAEL2
Texturing a DAZ 3D Michael 2 Mesh using ZBrush and TextureMaster
BEFORE YOU START


To complete this tutorial you will need the following:

1. Michael 2 from DAZ 3D. (Michael 1 will do)
2. Poser 4 from Curious Labs.
3. The FULL version of ZBrush 1.23B (available at DAZ3D store)

4. TextureMaster ZScript available from Pixologic.

If you do not own the full ZBrush 1.23B, I recommend downloading their DEMO available
from Pixologic here, and TextureMaster.

Note: TextureMaster is powerful ZScript utility for texturing 3D objects. Use any of ZBrush's painting tools to create any kind of textures you can imagine, and interactively apply them to editable 3D objects. 3D objects can be created entirely within ZBrush or imported from other applications, then exported again. TextureMaster includes a comprehensive, 5-chapter tutorial on texturing, ranging from the basics to advanced concepts. Also included are tips on importing objects, creating morph targets, and working with UV coordinates

It is assumed that you will have a basic working knowledge of Poser and ZBrush and that you are familiar with the general interface in both applications. This is a PC tutorial and I am not sure if this works on a Mac as I have not tried yet.
EXPORTING MICHAEL FROM POSER

This tutorial uses a Mesh figure called Michael 2 from DAZ 3D. It is more commonly associated with Curious labs Poser than with ZBrush. By the end of this tutorial you will be able to export Michael from Poser, import him into ZBrush, use TextureMaster to create a unique high resolution TextureMap, export the map and use it in Poser or even Lightwave.
As Michael 2 uses two texture maps (One for his head and the other for his body) you will have to export him from poser in two parts.

If you try to export the whole body and texture it like that ZBrush writes two textures at the same time and we don't want that.

Presuming that you have the Michael Mesh already loaded in Poser use

FILE>EXPORT>WAVEFRONT OBJ
The next panel is a Hierarchy giving you check boxes with all the body parts.



1. Uncheck all boxes except the HEAD box. Then export the file as HEAD.OBJ

2. Leave all boxes checked EXCEPT HEAD and EYEBALLS. Export as BODY.OBJ
IMPORTING INTO ZBRUSH

Importing meshes into ZBrush achieved with the help of a `POLYMESH TOOL`.

-Launch the application and look for the TOOL panel (usually on the right-hand side of the screen).

-The `POLYMESH TOOL` is the little star shape shown in the image opposite. If you can`t see it at first `click` into the biggest of the tool windows and a `popup` window with give you a selection of TOOLS to choose from. `Polymesh` will be there.

-Once selected this tool gives you a range of options that the other tools don`t provide.

-Go to `INVENTORY` then `IMPORT`

-Use the import dialog to locate `HEAD.obj` and select it.

-The mesh will be imported and you should see a small image in the tool window where the `star` was.

 

SMOOTH THE MESH

To work on the mesh in ZBrush I always adjust the SMOOTH slider to give me a smooth looking mesh. This is not effecting the actual geometry of the head it is simply using subdivision surfaces to render a smooth image to the screen. If you have the head selected in the tool panel you will find the SMOOTH slider under TOOL>MODIFIERS>SMOOTH