Organic sculpting with Pixologic ZBrush

Pixologic ZBrush is a next generation 3D modeling and texturing program that gives users an extreme level of control to create richly detailed digital models and sculptures. Using a pressure-sensitive tablet, students will be taken through the complete process of organic sculpting within this new subdivision surface modeler. Students will explore various methods of object creation and manipulation from creating the basic forms to finely detailed sculptures. Students will be introduced to the interface and workflow and learn how to incorporate ZBrush into their artistic pipeline. This hands-on course will explain Pixologic's 2.5d "pixol" technology and how to easily generate elements within ZBrush for use in art or illustration work. Importing and exporting geometry with created displacement and bump or normal maps for aid in external renderers or real-time video game systems will also be covered. Each week, students will complete a homework assignment specific to the material covered in the lecture. The course culminates with a final project requiring students to create a fully-rendered, high-fidelity, accurate sculpt. A comprehensive final exam will also be given to demonstrate students' abilities.