Reference Guide

The Reference Guide describes and explains the whole of the ZBrush interface. Each palette is composed of default items that are always available and sub-palettes that are clicked to reveal their contents. This guide is arranged by palette; each palette and sub-palette has its own page.

Explore each of the ZBrush palettes to learn the individual functions and features:

List of the ZBrush palettes

    • Alpha: load, edit and create alphas, used as brush patterns and for other purposes.
    • Brush: select sculpting brushes and adjust settings to suit your creativity.
    • Color: pick and edit colors for painting the canvas or your 3D model.
    • Document: resize, save or load the ZBrush canvas.
    • Draw : provides important settings for the way nearly every tool behaves.
    • Edit : undo and redo recent changes.
    • File : save and load a variety of ZBrush file from one location.
    • Layer : separate canvases which are merged together in one ZBrush document.
    • Light : control the lighting for your scene.
    • Macro : record and playback repetitive actions to improve your workflow.
    • Marker : mark and recall objects on the canvas.
    • Material : choose and adjust materials to create different surfaces and effects.
    • Movie : record movies of your ZBrush sessions or finished models.
    • Picker : set certain global painting/sculpting attributes, such as color, material, depth and orientation.
    • Preferences : set personal preferences, customize the ZBrush interface, and choose from among a number of default painting and sculpting attributes.
    • Render : choose from different rendering modes and options.
    • Stencil : adjust stencils for masking operations when painting or sculpting.
    • Stroke : provides a variety of stroke types which determine how each tool is applied when the cursor is dragged on the canvas.
    • Texture : images for use while painting or to wrap on a model’s surface.
    • Tool : the workhorse of the ZBrush interface, with 3D models and 2.5D painting tools.
    • Transform : adjust how a 3D object appears on the ZBrush canvas.
    • Zplugin : the default location for ZBrush plugins that extend ZBrush’s functionality.
    • Zscript : record, save, load and play ZScript recordings.
    • Help : easy access to various ZBrush resources.

ZBrush Release Notes

    • Release Notes for ZBrush versions listing all additions, improvements and fixes.