ZTools and Edit mode

ZTools are the elements you can use to create an illustration. All Tools provide a method for adding pixols to the ZBrush canvas or modifying pixols already there. After selecting any Tool such as the Sphere3D primitive, you can draw it on the canvas by clicking and dragging the cursor. (Keep in mind, however, that some Tools such as Blur modify pixols already on the canvas and will have no effect if used on a blank area.) If you repeat this click-drag action while the Sphere3D Tool is selected you’ll get a new sphere; continue again and again and each time will create a new sphere.
After releasing the pen tip or the mouse click, what you last drew is in a waiting state while ZBrush watches to see what you do next. At this point you can Transform what you just drew by using the Move, Scale, Rotate or Edit options. This allows you to modify the last stroke that you drew, or edit your model in 3D mode. If you do anything other than select one of those four options (for example, if you select a different Tool or make another canvas stroke) then your stroke becomes permanently fixed to the canvas. If you’ve drawn a series of spheres, you won’t be able to select any of your previously drawn spheres: they have been dropped to the canvas. They are now 2.5D pixols and part of the global illustration.

This dropping to the canvas will happen with any 3D model, either one made inside ZBrush or imported from another software package. But don’t worry; if you want to work on a model in its 3D form all you have to do is switch on Edit mode immediately after drawing the model. Then you will have access to all the 3D sculpting and painting tools. And if you should accidentally turn off Edit mode while working, your 3D model will still be available in the Tool palette; simply clear the canvas (or press Ctrl+Z if you only want undo the last thing you drew), re-select your Tool, click-drag to draw it on the canvas, then turn on Edit mode to continue working.

This transform capability is also useful with paint strokes. While you can’t use Edit mode on a stroke, you can use the Move, Scale and Rotate functions to activate the Gyro, which lets you transform the last thing you drew. You can even change the color and material that were used to create the stroke.

Another useful feature that relates to this topic is the Transform > Snapshot button. Use this when you want to make an instance of whatever you are currently transforming. For example, you can draw a Ring3D and activate Move. Click Snapshot to make a copy of the ring in its current position, then move the ring to another place on the canvas and change its color, rotate it, or make any other transformations. This is a great way to make copies of the same object or brush stroke without having to keep drawing it over and over again.