Secrets of Zbrush Experts: Tips, Techniques, and Insights for Users of All Abilities 1st Edition

This book is an excellent companion for an intermediate and up zBrush artist. It goes beyond the usual "instructibles" (for which there are already plenty available, so this doesn't clutter the space) and delves into showing you the styles, techniques, tips and tricks used by other, very experienced zBrush users, all of them veritable experts all their own.There are the needed how-to steps, but also includes interviews with the profiled artists, including background information that you don't usually see in similar books (such as what their preferential brushes or tools are, what other software they use in conjunction with zBrush, unique perspectives and methodologies, etc.), as well as recommendations that can improve your own workflow.Excellent does not necessarily mean perfect, however. Part of this book's strength also contributes to its weakness. For example, while it isn't a "how-to manual" type of book, some the how-to's are still so sparse that you're left wanting more. An example is a featured "expert" who uses zBrush for printed art (instead of the usual film or game pipelines), but not much detail is provided on that particular genre and what specifics and "secrets" can be gleamed from the perspective of that medium (as opposed to say, the silver screen or a computer monitor or a TV set for console games).Another beef is the interviews, which seem contrived and generic, applied to almost all profiled "experts" featured in the book, and quickly beefing it up in a way that most magazines are already doing all the time. Something that should be meatier in this type of book instead of a "one size fits all" type of interview questions. It leaves you wishing there were more insightful "secrets" to be had.On the other hand, these do provide enough to show you how different people approach and utilize zBrush in their own style, and how you can learn from them and apply to your method. Per8haps, in whetting your appetite enough, this only shows the book is in the right track and pushes the right buttons in addressing what its readers really want. It's just that the reader feels wanting and ends up not quite getting there and needing more.On top of that, the paper used immediately warps quite a bit even after only the first day's use, which is very odd as it is something I've never seen in other books before. That said, this book is more like a course guide and led me to first suspect this is a "self-published" type of book (in that it isn't from a major publishing house but one of the authors' affiliated company; for which there's absolutely nothing wrong with that), which for me would have been a positive in giving an "insider" type of content that general publishing houses may not have sanctioned.Overall, these are mostly nitpicks but I highly recommend it for inspiration as well as to add fresh insights (even if sparse in some areas) to your 3D and digital sculpting library.

I'm not a beginner and I can say this is not for them. Most of the Tips, and Techniques, are on the internet somewhere, but it nice to have it in one place.It's worth it to keep as reference guide, And don't plan on having the abilities to make anything on the front cover after reading this.

First off, this is not for the ZBrush beginner. I understand that the title tells you this, but some people still may be wondering. This book is exactly what it says it is, it's an overview of tips and tricks from several successful ZBrush artists.The binding is nice. It's softcover but bound in such a way that the inner spine is separated from the outer spine to eliminate cracking. I'm sure there's a technical term for this method of binding but I don't know it and I don't feel it's relevant enough to look up. All the pictures are printed in very high quality. Even the most detailed pictures of settings are easy to read.There are A LOT of pictures in this book, which would be great if this was merely a coffee table book, but it's not. There are loads of really awesome looking renderings and concept art, the artists in this book are extremely talented, but most of the images don't really have anything to do with the tips and tutorials. I understand that they are to serve as inspiration and reference to be used in your own work and to showcase just how powerful ZBrush is, but if you're interested in this book and you use ZBrush, you probably already understand its potential. I would have rather they use the showcase pages for more tips or to ultimately add a few more artists.In terms of actual content, this book succeeds. They really give you a broad perspective of each artist and what you end up getting is a really well-rounded lesson from each of the artists showcased. Each artist's section includes a brief tutorial on how to create an effect or construct a specific type of model in ZBrush. Examples are, "Sculpting, posing and composition", "Keep detail while sculpting using layers" and "Making water splash in ZBrush" to name just a few. I really appreciated the variation in the tutorials, this isn't "8 artists show you different ways to render skin and fur". Tutorials are short and to the point. Keep in mind this is a Tips and Tricks book, not a complete How-To guide.Following their tutorial you will find a short interview where they are asked several questions regarding their process. You'll find things like, "What influences you?", "Describe your process.", "What ZPlugs do you use?", "Who are your favorite artists and why?" and much more. It gives you a good idea of the types of things you should be thinking about, some good examples of artists you might not be familiar with as well as some extra tools to add to your collection.Lastly each artist's section is accompanied by a list of websites they recommend and a Gallery section showing off several different pieces of their work, both ZBrush and digital painting. All in all there are 13 chapters featuring 13 artists with all the information I have just outlined for each.Again, the only complaint that I have with this book is the Gallery sections. Although there is some really great looking stuff in there and it is, at the very least, inspirational, at the end of the day this is a tips and tricks guide, not a coffee table book and I would rather those pages include additional tutorials. That's really the only reason this book didn't get the full five stars.If you're still wondering if this book is right for you... Are you someone who is already very familiar with the ZBrush software and would like a book to help hone your existing skills and perhaps pick up some new ones? If so, yes, you will definitely find value in these pages. Is this book worth the price tag? Considering the membership fees to many of the popular tutorial websites out there or the cost of similar tutorial books, yes I believe it is a very reasonable price. Personally, I prefer having text in front of me while trying new techniques over clicking back and forth from website to workspace. So if you share that preference, then yes, it's worth it.

I was happy with the "Secrets of Corel Painter Experts" book so I took a chance with this one. I've been using Zbrush for a number of years and I am always looking out for tips. Zbrush is an incredible complex program is its hard to master. I am always trying to get better at using it.So that was my hope when I ordered this book: To pick up an new technique or have one of those "I didn't think about that!!" moments. Unfortunately this dealt more with the individual artists, their backgrounds and a little bit of their methodology but not so much on technique. Don't get me wrong, I like reading up on the artists but ultimately it did not further my skill set.Ultimately I thought this book was nothing more than filler. Sorry.

Great product

I bought this book not expecting fully described tutorials but more helpful tips and techniques. However this book does not contain any helpful information. With over 119 pages give or take a few pages of just gallery type photos this book really does not contain to many useful tutorials. However there where 2 tutorials out of the 271 pages but even then both of these weren't very descriptive and where vague in the technique used when sculpting and where more of a thought process with images to go along with. Even the very detailed render on the cover is just a gallery picture and has nothing to do with any of the tutorials inside the book. I would suggest to any beginners of zbrush to not buy this book as this is not for you. And would suggest "Zbrush Character Sculpting" by 3D total as this book actually has full in depth tutorials as well as descriptive tips and techniques to use while sculpting with zbrush. In short this book was a waste of money.

Bought this as one of my son’s Christmas presents as he is studying CGMA @Uni. According to him it’s great; each chapter is by a different artist giving lots of tips and hints By giving lots of useful input from people working in the industry makes this book fab.

good book

Artistas atuantes no mercado, trabalhos maravilhosos, o livro é super ilustrado e com dicas excelentes.O livro é bem inspirador para aqueles que buscam um conteúdo com diferencial profissional no mercado.

Perfecto