ZBrush 2023 - UV Map Unwrap, and cut your seams based on your creasing!

Introduction to UVS in ZBrush 2023

In this section, the speaker introduces the topic of UVS in ZBrush 2023 and explains how to use UV Master to unwrap a symmetrical object.

Using UV Master to Unwrap a Symmetrical Object

• To use UV Master, select the body and turn on poly frame.

• Work on clone and unwrap using symmetry and polygroups.

• Fine-tune by checking seams and copying/pasting UVS.

• Check UVS by creating a new texture map from UV.

New Options for Creating UVS in ZBrush 2023

In this section, the speaker discusses new options for creating UVS in ZBrush 2023, including creased edges and auto seams.

Creased Edges vs. Auto Seams

• Underneath UV map, there are now two options: create projection (old version) and create unwrap (new version).

• Use creased edges to dictate where you want your UV seams to go.

• Auto seams ignore creases but lay everything out so that there is no overlapping geometry.

• Use Ctrl+Shift+Tap between polygroups to grab both of them at once.

ZModeler Brush and Creasing

In this section, the instructor demonstrates how to use the ZModeler brush and crease options to create UV seams on an object.

Using ZModeler Brush for Creasing

• To access the ZModeler brush, press B + Z.

• Hover over an edge and hold down spacebar to select "Crease."

• There are several crease options available, including "Crease Edge Presets" and "Crease Edge."

• To put a crease along the shortest path between two points, hover over a point and select "Crease Shortest Path."

Creating UV Seams with Creases

• To create a new UV seam, hover over an edge and select "Edge Loop Partial/Complete" or click on a poly loop.

• Click on the desired points to create a creased line along the shortest path between them.

• It is recommended to place UV seams where they will not be visible in the final product.

Placing UV Seams

In this section, the instructor demonstrates how to place UV seams on specific parts of an object.

Placing Seams on Tail

• Use "Crease Shortest Path" to place a seam along the bottom of the tail.

• Click on two points at either end of where you want your seam to go.

Placing Seams on Hands

• Use "Crease Shortest Path" while hovering over points to create a seam that runs from wrist to fingertip.

• Cut out entire palm by clicking around it with "Crease Shortest Path."

Unwrapping Object with Creased Edges

In this section, the instructor demonstrates how to unwrap an object with creased edges.

• Before morphing, select "Unwrap with Creased Edges" to cut along the creased lines.

• Morph the object to see the newly created UV seams.

Manipulating UV Shells

In this section, the instructor demonstrates how to manipulate UV shells using various geometry tools.

Using Geometry Tools to Manipulate UV Shells

• Use any geometry tools to manipulate the UV shells.

• Use Ctrl+Shift and drag over a shell, then use Ctrl+Shift+A to grow visibility. Control tap and invert that so you can modify a single shell.

• If you move a shell out of the zero-to-one space, ZBrush will automatically take care of it for you.

Copying and Pasting UVS

In this section, the instructor shows how to copy and paste UVS in ZBrush.

Copying and Pasting UVS

• Unflatten the object, copy UVS, go back to the original object, paste UVS.

• Morph UV if necessary. Check your UV layout by going down here to texture map and doing a new from UV check.

Checking Your UV Map

In this section, the instructor explains how to check your UV map in ZBrush.

Checking Your UV Map

• Turn off texture. Go back into UV map. If you did an uncreased all under geometry crease, bring back seams with crease seams.