Text 3D and Vector Shape Functions
The visual aspect of the shapes generated with this tool can be enhanced by several options. Some of them have a great impact on the result, such as Bevel and its Curvature setting.
Save
The Save function lets you store all current settings as a dedicated preset file for later reuse.
Load
The Load functions allows you to open a previously saved preset. All settings like Extrusion Distance, Bevel, selected Font, etc. will be restored.
New Text
The New Text button opens a popup window where you can enter your text. The tool supports full Unicode characters. Multi-line text is not supported and needs to be created as separate 3D models for each line.
If the generated 3D model includes empty squares or unexpected characters, it may be because the selected font doesn’t include the character you are looking for. This most often happens if you use a special character like an accent (é, à, ñ, etc.) or Asian characters not supported by the selected font.
Edit Text
The Edit Text function reopens the text input popup, allowing you to change the input. Upon validating the change, the 3D object will be updated. All style settings will remain unchanged.
With detailed fonts you may find it beneficial to start with only a few characters for faster performance. Once the other settings are just the way you want them you can edit the text to its final output.
The Edit function can only work if the selected SubTool was created using the 3D Text Creator and the SubTool hasn’t been renamed. This editing is also only possible within the current ZBrush session. After restarting ZBrush or opening a saved Project, it will no longer be possible to change the entered text.
Font Selector and Font Style
The Font Selector and its associated Font Style (Bold, Italic, Thin, Strong, etc.) let you select the font of your choice, based on the fonts installed on your operating system font folder.
By clicking the left and right arrows, you can quickly switch between your fonts and see the result applied to the 3D model in (nearly) real-time. You can do the same operation with font styles, if they are available.
To quickly look for a specific font, click the current font name. A dropdown menu will open, listing all your system’s installed fonts. Click and drag the slider located at the right of the list to scroll. Find the font of your choice and click its name to select it.
Load a Font File from Disk
If you need to use a font which is not installed on your system but rather is a separate file, click the “Load a Font file from disk” button and browse your computer to select the file. When validating, this font will be used.
ZBrush supports TTF, TTC, OFT and FON formats. Fonts in bitmap format are not supported.
New SVG
The New SVG function lets you load an SVG file to be converted to geometry, respecting its outline and openings. After loading your file, use the settings like Extrusion, Resolution, and Bevel to refine the shape.
Settings specific to text are greyed out when working with an SVG file.
Edit SVG
Edit SVG lets you replace the current SVG file with a different one. All styling options currently applied to the previous SVG file will be preserved.
The Edit function can only work if the selected SubTool was created using the 3D Text Creator and the SubTool hasn’t been renamed. This editing is also only possible within the current ZBrush session. After restarting ZBrush or opening a saved Project, it will no longer be possible to change the SVG source.
Extrusion
The Extrusion setting defines the depth of the shape. When set to 0, only a surface is generated rather than a volume.
Resolution
The Resolution slider defines the quality of the outline/silhouette of the text or SVG shape. Higher settings produce smoother edges. With some complex fonts or SVG files, increasing this slider can dramatically increase the computation time. This is especially true if you already have Bevel styling applied.
It is strongly advised to increase the resolution slider only as a last step, when you are happy with the results from the other styling options.
Spacing
The Spacing setting defines the distance between each letter in the text string. This value can be positive or negative.
Adaptive
When Adaptive is turned on, the engine creates the most even topology possible across the model. This can be a benefit for future deformation but is slower to process. When Adaptive is turned off, the Regular mode is used. This creates long triangles but is faster to process.
Bevel
The Bevel function adds a bevel effect around the cap of the created shape. It has no effect Extrusion is set to 0.
Increasing the setting will increase the radius of the bevel around the entire edge.
Bevel Resolution
Bevel Resolution defines the density of tessellation (the number of edge loops) along the beveled edges. This setting functions in tandem with the Curvature settings, allowing you to produce more rounded chamfers (at a higher Resolution) or faceted chamfers (with a lower Resolution).
Curvature
The Curvature slider defines the roundness of the bevel applied to the text or SVG shape. Values can be negative or positive, producing a negative (concave) or positive (convex) chamfer.
The quality of the curvature can be improved by increasing the Bevel Resolution slider.
Replace
The Replace setting specifies whether to replace the current SubTool when creating a new shape from text or an SVG file. When it is disabled, a new SubTool will be created.
Auto Update
When enabled, the current model will automatically be updated to reflect the changes applied via the styling or other settings. This is true for both text and SVG files.
On fonts or shapes which are complex, disabling Auto Update can improve performance while adjusting the settings.
Vertical
The Vertical function changes the text direction from horizontal to vertical.
Reverse
The Reverse function writes the current text from right to left. This is needed for languages like Arabic or Hebrew, to name a few.