ZBrush

How to Change Color in ZBrush?

Understanding Color Management in ZBrush

To effectively change colors within ZBrush, it’s essential first to grasp how color management operates in this software. ZBrush allows you to apply different materials and colors to your 3D models or “SubTools,” which are independent objects within your main tool. Mastering color application can enhance the visual appeal of your models and make them fit within your desired artistic vision.

Selecting the SubTool for Color Change

Begin by choosing the specific SubTool that you wish to modify. This can be done from the SubTool palette, where you’ll see a list of all available SubTools within your project. Click on the desired SubTool to make it active for further modifications.

Choosing a Material

Once the SubTool is selected, your next step is to choose an appropriate material. Navigate to the materials palette, where you’ll find a variety of default materials. You can experiment with different materials by selecting them and observing how they affect the appearance of your SubTool.

Setting Up for Color Fill

After selecting the material, ensure that you enable both the material and the color fill. Check the Mrgb button; this feature combines both the material and the color settings you’ve chosen. By clicking on this button, you prepare ZBrush to fill the selected SubTool with your desired color and material.

Applying Color to the SubTool

To fill the SubTool with color, you’ll need to access the color palette. Click on the color swatch located at the interface’s bottom. This will bring up a large color picker that allows you to choose your desired color. After selecting a color, proceed by clicking the Fill Object button, which will apply the color uniformly across the entire surface of your SubTool.

Repeating the Process for Additional SubTools

If your project consists of multiple SubTools that require color changes, repeat the above steps for each SubTool individually. Remember to select the SubTool, choose the material, ensure Mrgb is activated, pick your color, and fill the object each time. This method ensures that every SubTool retains its unique identity and appropriate coloring.

Saving Your Color Preferences

To retain your chosen colors and settings for future sessions, save your configurations. Navigate to Preferences, then Config, and finally click on Store Config. You can also save your color settings directly by clicking on Save Ui Colors, which lets you save your current color palette for future use.

Turning Off Color on SubTools

If at any point you wish to revert a SubTool back to its default appearance or remove the color without deleting it, you can do so easily. Simply go to Tool > Polypaint and toggle the Colorize option. This action will disable the color applied to the SubTool, allowing for adjustments or a clean slate without losing your previous work.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I apply different colors to different parts of the same SubTool?

Yes, you can apply varying colors to different areas of a single SubTool by using the Polygroups feature. Each Polygroup can be assigned its unique material or color, allowing for complex visual designs within one object.

2. How do I undo a color fill in ZBrush?

If you wish to undo a color fill, you can use the undo function (Ctrl + Z) immediately after making the change. However, if you have made several modifications since the color fill, you may need to manually adjust the color using the method described in this article.

3. Is it possible to texture paint in ZBrush?

Absolutely. ZBrush features various painting tools that allow for texture painting directly onto your models. By selecting the Paint brush tool, you can paint textures and colors interactively on your 3D models, adding depth and realism to your artwork.

About the author

Wei Zhang

Wei Zhang

Wei Zhang is a renowned figure in the CAD (Computer-Aided Design) industry in Canada, with over 30 years of experience spanning his native China and Canada. As the founder of a CAD training center, Wei has been instrumental in shaping the skills of hundreds of technicians and engineers in technical drawing and CAD software applications. He is a certified developer with Autodesk, demonstrating his deep expertise and commitment to staying at the forefront of CAD technology. Wei’s passion for education and technology has not only made him a respected educator but also a key player in advancing CAD methodologies in various engineering sectors. His contributions have significantly impacted the way CAD is taught and applied in the professional world, bridging the gap between traditional drafting techniques and modern digital solutions.