Live Boolean is a render preview modeling system that offers the ability to have a live boolean intersecting system, previewing results without being applied as geometry changes. This applies to both the free and subscription versions of ZBrush for iPad. The difference between these two versions in the Live Boolean context is that the free version (as of this writing) does not allow for the conversion of results to physical topography.
Subtool Boolean Process
Live Boolean modeling requires assigning Boolean Process options to subtools to create additive, subtractive, or intersecting booleans.
Basic Applications
This example demonstrates using the default Male file found at Home Screen > New Sculpt > 3D Meshes section.
Quick Steps:
1. Open Subtools and Insert/Append a Cube3D as a new subtool.
2. Tap Gizmo3D to scale, position, and rotate the cube to cover the Male figure's shoulder.
3. Long press the Cube subtool to view subtool actions, then select Boolean Process > Subtraction.
When Subtraction is selected, the selected subtool shape subtracts from all interacting subtools listed higher in the Subtools Index.
4. In the bottom Default Toolbar, tap Live Boolean ON to preview render booleans.
Steps 3 and 4 demonstrate using Live Boolean preview render to view results. When this option is active, ZBrush displays the boolean results in real time, offering the ability to continue modeling in boolean preview mode.
While Live Boolean render preview is active, any subtool set to Subtractive or Intersection is hidden from view.
Tap Polyframe in the right canvas toolbar to view these subtools when Live Boolean is ON.
5. Apply the following steps to create a second boolean.
a.) Duplicate the Cube subtool.
b.) Use Gizmo3D to position and intersect with the first boolean cut to the source model.
c.) Long press the duplicate Cube subtool, open Boolean Process, and select Subtractive.
The example for step 5 demonstrates two subtractive booleans applied to a character model. As both Cube subtools sit below the Male character subtool, both are subtracting from the Male character.
Moving subtools above the Index list produces different results dependent on Boolean Process settings.
Duplicating subtools resets Boolean Process settings to the default Additive setting.
7. Open Palettes > Tool > SubTool > Boolean menu. Tap Make Boolean Mesh to create a new model.
Make Boolean Mesh creates a new Tool labeled UMesh and adds it to the Tool library. Head to the Tool palette and tap the Tool icon in the top-left of the menu. Select the Tool from this library to load into the canvas.
Applying complex combinations of additive, subtractive, and intersection booleans between subtools can produce incredible modeling results when working towards hard surface and organic modeling.
Apply Dynamic SubDiv levels to models to smooth-preview all subtools' surfaces. In Tool Palette > Subtool > Boolean, enable the DSDiv option to generate a new mesh that applies dynamic subdivisions to the new mesh result.
Learn more about dynamic subdivisions in this guide's Geometry section.
ZBrush for iPad's Live Boolean system works the same as in ZBrush desktop, with the free version of ZBrush for iPad only supporting Live Boolean preview mode. Learn more in our external ZBrush Live Boolean documentation.
