Sculpting CG Creatures in ZBrush: Cthulhu

Name: Sculpting CG Creatures in ZBrush: Cthulhu
Rating: 4.6 (78 reviews)

Learn the advanced techniques in sculpting a complex 3d monster bust using ZBrush

Created by3dmotive LLC

Last updated 9/2016

English

English [Auto],

What you'll learn

Sculpt a complex monster bust using ZBrush
Master ZBrush's features for creating large and small surface details

Course content

3 sections • 24 lectures • 4h 34m total length

Overview for Creating a Dynamesh Bust1:19
Learn to create a dynamesh bust of a Lovecraftian creature by blocking with basic shapes, forming tentacles, and validating silhouette at low resolution before high-res detailing.
Intro to Zbrush Dynamesh16:22
Explore building a Cthulhu-inspired bust in ZBrush using Dynamesh, starting from a sphere, applying masking, move, and clay buildup to shape eyes, tentacles, and a neck.
Creating Quick Tentacles16:45
Learn to block in tentacles for a Cthulhu model in ZBrush by duplicating and rotating action lines, using symmetry off, and move, rotate, and scale with Dynamesh and clay buildup.
Continue Shaping and Adding Eyes17:07
Continue shaping a squat face, pull it out for better proportions, and add eyes with spheres, symmetry, and masking to create an octopus-inspired creature in ZBrush.
Pushing and Pulling Foundation Forms15:30
Apply pushing and pulling to sculpt foundation forms for a creepy creature, using dynamesh and clay build up to create irregular shapes, tentacles, gills, and subtle crinkles.
Dynameshing the Torso10:08
Scale and move the torso using dynamesh to create a semi-human Cthulhu form, then add basic anatomy, tentacles, gullet, and barnacle-like details while refining with clay buildup and edge shaping.
Using the Clip Curve Brush to Trim the Torso10:22
Trim the Cthulhu bust torso with the clip curve brush to create clean edges, focus on the head, and place tentacles as placeholders; sculpt with clay buildup and orthogonal perspective.
Adding a Tentacle .OBJ to the Scene15:51
Import a tentacle obj, duplicate and refine a base mesh, and sculpt three tentacle variants with suckers, pose them, and blend into the Cthulhu model.

Introduction1:23
Introduce advanced sculpting of a Cthulhu creature in ZBrush, detailing secondary forms, gills, and tentacles with standard, clay buildup, masking, and curve brush techniques.
Starting Secondary Shapes and Details13:41
Learn to sculpt secondary shapes and details on the cthulhu head in zbrush, switching from dynamesh to a clean polymesh, and add wrinkled edges, gill-inspired anatomy, and precise brushwork.
Using Dam Standard to Add Age and Wrinkles15:55
Use the Dam Standard to add age and wrinkles on a creature, apply layering, subtle inflating, and balance symmetry with natural asymmetry for a waterlogged look.
Adding in Asymmetry Details14:57
Explore adding asymmetry details to a Cthulhu bust in ZBrush, using masking, standard brush, and alpha 12 to create irregularities, wrinkles, buboes, and tentacles while balancing symmetry for realism.
More Wrinkling and Gills13:36
Sculpt lifelike back wrinkling and gill details in ZBrush using inflate and standard brushes, masking, and edge cuts to build texture and prep tentacles for rendering.
Secondary Detailing on the Torso12:36
Focus the torso to complement the head using alphas, layers, and inflate brush, while managing symmetry and perspective to avoid detracting from the head, aiming for an aged, wrinkled look.
Finalizing Torso Details and Posing the Tentacles12:46
Finalize torso details and pose the tentacles in ZBrush by refining curved masks, symmetry, and rotation across subdivisions.
Adding in All Tentacles (Timelapse) and Review12:56
Learn to place, duplicate, and sculpt tentacles on a Cthulhu bust in ZBrush, using template tentacles, scaling, mirroring, and timelapse workflows to create natural, varied curves and final details.

Introduction1:17
Explore beginning techniques for sculpting Cthulhu with ZBrush, starting with tentacles and torso, using alphas, layers, and variations to add details, muscles, and finalize the model.
Alphas and Reworking the Big Tentacles11:52
Refine the big tentacles by reworking details with alphas, wrinkles, and muscle cues in ZBrush. Bring in Photoshop alphas, add pores, veins, and layered texture for realism.
Using Alphas on the Torso and Head15:35
Apply alphas to the torso and head in ZBrush to add pores and crustacean textures; preview with bpr, adjust asymmetry, and refine edges for subtle aquatic detail.
Using Alphas for Skin Mottling and Wrinkles13:41
Apply alphas to create skin mottling and wrinkles in ZBrush, adjust pores, masking, and bake details for clean, readable edges. Use layers and symmetry to refine and preview with BPR.
Added Nodules and Skin Bump Detailing9:56
Sculpt nodules and skin bump details on the Cthulhu model in ZBrush, adding irregular tentacle textures. Use snake hook, move, topological move, and alpha brushes, previewing with BPR to refine.
Finalizing the Larger Tentacles and Gill Slits10:48
Finalize the larger tentacles and gill slits by refining alpha textures, masking areas, and adding wrinkles to enhance edge and detail, then render with bpr for a cosmic horror creature.
Sculpting the Eyes of an Octopoid and Review9:53
Sculpt the eyes of an octopoid creature in ZBrush, crafting stylized eyeballs with a sculptural, oceanic gaze using symmetry, subdivision, and polypaint.
Bonus Lecture: Further Learning with 3dmotive0:18

Requirements

Pixologic's ZBrush sculpting software

Description

In this course we jump into the worlds of ZBrush dynamesh sculpting and H.P. Lovecraft at the same time! We tackle the Old God, Cthulhu, by starting with a simple dynamesh sphere and using several techniques, we pull and push and sculpt a basic shape for Cthulhu's head and make a quick torso and temporary tentacles. We then expand our repertoire in creating more detail sculpting by using a variety of brushes, alphas, layers and some finesse to get a final fantastic sculpt of one of Lovecraft's faves: Cthulhu!

(Students - please look under Section 1 / Lecture 1 downloads for the source files associated with the lesson.)

More about the Instructor:

Stephen Wells is an expert 3D modeler for characters, props, vehicles, weapons and environments and have created both high and low polygon assets for game productions. He has over 20 years experience in creating a variety of game assets for several different genres (fantasy, sci-fi, combat, superheroes, horror, etc) using 3ds Max, Maya, Photoshop, ZBrush, Mudbox, Topogun, and xNormal. As an enthusiastic instructor, he loves creating video tutorials on a wide variety of subjects to help students better their skillsets.

Who this course is for:

Intermediate to Advanced ZBrush users interested in mastering the tools to sculpt monsters and characters

Sculpting CG Creatures in ZBrush: Cthulhu

What you'll learn

Explore related topics

Course content

Establishing the Base Form and Shapes8 lectures • 1hr 43min

Layering in the Major Details8 lectures • 1hr 38min

Refining the Smaller Surface Details8 lectures • 1hr 13min

Requirements

Description

Who this course is for: