Palettes >Tool > Polypaint menu
Active Points (in the selected subtool) and Total Points (all subtools) are displayed in the top-left of the ZBrush canvas.
ZBrush supports vertex painting, therefore paint in ZBrush is called polypaint. Polypaint resolution quality is defined by the active points (vertices).
Palettes >Tool > Polypaint menu
Active Points (in the selected subtool) and Total Points (all subtools) are displayed in the top-left of the ZBrush canvas.
Follow these instructions for essential polypaint applications.
This following example demonstrates using the DemoAnimeHead default file found at Home Screen > New Sculpt > 3D Meshes section.
1. To paint on a model with a brush, fill the model with a solid color.
Select a color from the left canvas toolbar, then use the FillObject button to apply the color to the model.
2. Choose a new color.
3. Draw on the model to polypaint with the selected primary color.
This example demonstrates steps 1 through 3 described above.
The Paint brush preset is customized for polypainting. You can assign other sculptural brushes the ability to paint or paint and sculpt simultaneously.
Learn more in this guide's Brush Customization > MRGB section.
4. Choose a secondary color, hold the Alt/Option modifier, and draw on the model to polypaint with a secondary color.
5. Apply the following steps to customize the brush tip to polypaint with color randomness:
a.) Open the Strokes menu in the left canvas toolbar and choose the Spray or Color Spray stroke.
b.) Open the Alphas menu in the left canvas toolbar and select an alpha.
c.) Apply some brush strokes to view results.
This example demonstrates steps 4 and 5 described above. Where polypaint quality is not desirable, increase the model's resolution/active points.
When you assign a texture to a brush, ZBrush prioritizes the texture color over the selected color channel.
6. Increase the DynaMesh Resolution setting and apply a DynaMesh Remesh action.
Hold Ctrl/Cmd and drag within the available empty canvas space, then release pressure from the screen to apply a DynaMesh Remesh action.
7. Apply new polypaint strokes to check the quality.
This example demonstrates step 6 and 7 described above, where paint results struggle to capture details due to a low number of active points. DynaMesh increases the model's active points to improve polypaint quality.
This example demonstrates using DynaMesh to increase the resolution of a model. Subdivisions and SculptrisPro offer difference methods to increase a model's resolution. With all methods, the model's surface must be increased to improve polypaint quality.
Learn more about polypaint functions in this guide's Tool Palette > Polypaint section.
Learn more about using DynaMesh, subdivision, and SculptrisPro in these guide sections:
DynaMesh Sculpting Essentials
Subdivision Sculpting Essentials
SculptrisPro Essentials