XTractor brushes
Capture surface details to create custom sculpting brushes
XTractor brushes give you the ability to capture surface details into an alpha to be reused for further sculpting with XTractor or other brushes. Each XTractor brush type uses a different method to capture the sculpture details, as well as using the same method to reapply the captured surface details for quick and easy use.
XTractor Brushes give you the ability to leverage time sculpting details you intend to reapply in other areas of the model. They make it easy to create your own custom Alphas from sculpting for more efficient sculpting.
XTractor Brush Types & How They Work
1. From Brush
From Brush is an option found in the Alpha Palette. All XTractor brushes utilize the From Brush function to capture sculpted details by use of the G key on your keyboard.
Important!
For more information on the From Brush feature, search for it in docs.pixologic.com, and the Documentation Guide PDF found in the ZBrush installation folders.2. XTractor Brush
This brush type captures sculpted details by pressing the G key and drawing a path along the detailed surface you intend to capture into an alpha. Once those details are captured into an alpha you can reapply the details in other areas along a stroke path in the same fashion they were captured in.
Important!
This Brush mode uses the Stroke>> Modifiers >> Roll function to reapply sculpture details along a stroke path. Changing the stroke type for capture or reapplication will change how the brush functions.3. XTractor DragDot Brush
This brush type captures sculpted details by pressing the G key and clicking once on any sculpted surface to capture that area as an alpha. Once the alpha has been captured, the brush will reapply the alpha with by clicking on the surface and dragging the detail into position.
Important!
This brush mode uses the DragDot Stroke type to capture the alpha and reapply its sculptural detail. Changing the stroke type for capture or reapplication will change how the brush functions.4. XTractor DragRect Brush
This brush type captures sculpted details by pressing the G key and clicking+dragging over a sculpted surface to capture a region as an alpha. Once the alpha has been captured, the brush will reapply the details in the same way, by clicking+dragging.
Important!
This brush mode uses the DragRect Stroke type to capture the alpha and reapply its sculptural detail. Changing the stroke type for capture or reapplication will change how the brush functions.Xtractor Brush in Action
1. Load Lightbox > Projects > Polysphere.ZPR.
2. Subdivide Polysphere to 1.5 mil active points or higher for detail sculpting.
3. Sculpt a surface with details.
Important!
Deleting the last SubTool within a folder will automatically delete the (now empty) folder.4. Select the XTractor Brush from the Brush palette.
5. Make your cursor size large enough to cover the circumference width of the sculpture details.
Important!
If the size of the draw stroke does not fully encompass the sculpture details before beginning the capture process, the alpha will not capture correctly.6. Press the G key to activate the From Brush action. The cursor circle will turn blue. Click+drag from the starting point of the details across to end of the details.
Important!
The center line of the blue circle should start beyond the beginning of the capture stroke, and complete beyond the end of the capture stroke.7. The captured alpha will now be placed in the Alpha palette. You can now apply the details elsewhere on the model by dragging your cursor across the surface wherever you wish the XTractor brush to lay the details down.
Important!
This brush mode uses the Stroke >> Modifiers >> Roll function to reapply sculpture details along a stroke path. Changing the stroke type for capture or reapplication will change how the brush functions.XtractorDot Brush in Action
1. Load Lightbox > Projects > Polysphere.ZPR.
2. Subdivide Polysphere to 1.5 mil active points or higher for detail sculpting.
3. Sculpt a surface with details.
4. Select the XTractorDot Brush from the Brush palette.
5. Make your cursor size large enough to cover the circumference of the sculpture details.
Important!
If the size of the draw stroke does not fully encompass the sculpture details before beginning the capture process, the alpha will not capture correctly.6. Press the G key to activate the From Brush mode. Your cursor will change to a blue circle. Click and slightly drag to a point near the center of the details, keeping the blue cursor circumference around the sculpture details.
7. The captured alpha will now be placed in the Alpha palette. Apply these details elsewhere on the model by clicking anywhere on the surface and dragging to the exact place and orientation that you desire with XTractorDot Brush.
Important!
This brush mode uses the DragDots Stroke type to capture the alpha and to reapply its sculptural detail. Changing the stroke type for capture or reapplication will change how the brush functions.XtractorDragRect Brush in Action
1. Load Lightbox > Projects > Polysphere.ZPR.
2. Subdivide Polysphere to 1.5 mil active points or higher for detail sculpting.
3. Sculpt a surface with details.
4. Select the XTractorDragRect brush from the Brush palette.
5. Press the G key to activate the From Brush mode. Your cursor will become a blue circle. Click and drag from the center point of the details until the blue cursor completely encompasses the sculpture details.
Important!
If the blue circle DragRect stroke does not fully encompass the sculpture details, the alpha will not capture correctly.6. The captured alpha will now be placed in the Alpha palette. Reapply the details elsewhere on the model by clicking and dragging with DragRect.
Reapplying the captured details