NanoMesh is a powerful instancing system in ZBrush that allows you to populate a model's surface with multiple copies of a single mesh. NanoMesh maintains full real-time editing capabilities, enabling precise control over each instance's distribution, orientation, size, and variations.
NanoMesh is essential for efficiently creating intricate surface details, organic patterns, or mechanical components while optimizing your scene. Whether populating a surface with bolts, scales, or foliage, it provides a non-destructive workflow with extensive customization options.
ZBrush for iPad NanoMesh functions the same way as in ZBrush desktop. For more details, refer to the NanoMesh section in the desktop documentation.
A quick overview of the key features NanoMesh brings to your workflow.
• Dynamically apply each NanoMesh (instance) to the surface of a model.
• A single NanoMesh index can create thousands of mesh instances.
• Real-time adjustments allow for interactive design without committing changes permanently.
• Edit Mesh mode lets you modify the base mesh, and all instances update automatically.
• Placement options determine the placement of polygons, influence visibility, and more.
• Scaling & Proportions: Adjust size, width, length, and height independently.
• Positioning & Rotation: Fine-tune offsets and rotation in any axis.
• Randomization Sliders: Add variation to eliminate uniformity, making instances appear more organic.
• Align NanoMeshes to surface normals, polygon edges, or point order for precise control.
• Options like Fit, Fill, Proportional, and Clip control how Nanos adapt to the placement surface.
• Random Distribution creates natural-looking arrangements.
• NanoMeshes can inherit color from the base model or be manually colorized.
• Apply UVs and Textures to individual Nanos for additional detail.
• Convert NanoMesh to real geometry for further sculpting.
• Replace NanoMesh with a different insert mesh while keeping all settings.
• Create custom brushes from applied NanoMeshes for reuse.