# Getting Started - ZBrush

> Part of the documentation index for ZBrush (https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/llms.txt). Section path: Getting Started. 37 page(s) in this section.

Overview page:

- [Getting Started](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/getting-started/getting-started.html.md): If you have just bought ZBrush then you’ll be eager to see what it can do. As with any advanced software, it helps to know a little before you get going.

## Pages

- [MacOSX & Windows Versions (Getting Started)](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/getting-started/macosx-windows-versions/macosx-windows-versions.html.md): Instead of the Windows Ctrl key, the Macintosh uses the Cmd (Apple) Key. This documentation will always refer to using the Ctrl key name, although it may …
- [System Requirements](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/getting-started/system-requirements/system-requirements.html.md)
- [Installation & Activation](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/getting-started/installation-activation/installation-activation.html.md): This section will help you get ZBrush up and running on your system. Follow the steps below:
  - [Pixologic ID](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/getting-started/installation-activation/pixologic-id/pixologic-id.html.md): In order to even download ZBrush, you must have a Pixologic ID. This is a unique account that links together the Pixologic Store, Support and ZClassroom …
  - [Purchases from Resellers](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/getting-started/installation-activation/purchases-from-resellers/purchases-from-resellers.html.md): When purchasing ZBrush from a reseller or through a third party bundle, a CD Code will be provided to you. It appears as three groups of three characters …
  - [Installation](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/getting-started/installation-activation/installation/installation.html.md): Please follow these steps to install ZBrush on your computer. Whether you are upgrading an existing copy of ZBrush or install­ing it for the first time …
  - [Activation](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/getting-started/installation-activation/activation/activation.html.md): For this process, you need to know your Pixologic ID. (Creation of your Pixologic ID is explained on this previous page.)
  - [Offline Activation](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/getting-started/installation-activation/offline-activation/offline-activation.html.md): If your computer does not have an internet connection or for some reason refuses to open the activation web page, you can instead use the Offline …
  - [Deactivation](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/getting-started/installation-activation/deactivation/deactivation.html.md): There are many circumstances in which you would wish to deactivate ZBrush. The most obvious is if you are going to be moving it to a computer, in which …
  - [Troubleshooting (Installation & Activation)](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/getting-started/installation-activation/troubleshooting/troubleshooting.html.md): If the above troubleshooting items do not resolve your issue, please contact Pixologic® Support for assistance. Make sure to state from the beginning that …
  - [GoZ and ZBrush versions](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/getting-started/installation-activation/goz-and-zbrush-versions/goz-and-zbrush-versions.html.md): If you have different versions of ZBrush 4 and above installed they can be used together with GoZ as the main components remain the same, but it’s not …
  - [Uninstalling ZBrush](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/getting-started/installation-activation/uninstalling-zbrush/uninstalling-zbrush.html.md): 1. In the ZPlugin menu, choose Web Deactivation and proceed with the license deactivation as explained in a section above. If you do not deactivate prior …
  - [Support Registration](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/getting-started/installation-activation/support-registration/support-registration.html.md): You need to have a current Support account at http://support.pixologic.com in order to receive technical support for ZBrush. This account is free.
- [Finding Your Way Around](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/getting-started/finding-your-way-around/finding-your-way-around.html.md): To explore the Interface in more depth see the Interface Overview page.
- [Basic Concepts](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/getting-started/basic-concepts/basic-concepts.html.md): ZBrush is a very powerful software which can be a bit overwhelming when you first try it. This section is to help you understand the basic concepts.
  - [2D and 3D](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/getting-started/basic-concepts/2d-and-3d/2d-and-3d.html.md): ZBrush has two major modes, a 2D paint mode that operates on the canvas, and a 3D Edit mode that operates on 3D models. These modes complement one another …
  - [The Pixol](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/getting-started/basic-concepts/the-pixol/the-pixol.html.md): In 2D images the basic building block is a pixel (from ‘picture element’). Pixels contain information about their position on the 2D plane (their X and Y …
  - [ZTools and Edit mode](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/getting-started/basic-concepts/ztools-and-edit-mode/ztools-and-edit-mode.html.md): ZTools are the elements you can use to create an illustration. All Tools provide a method for adding pixols to the ZBrush canvas or modifying pixols …
  - [The Canvas Document](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/getting-started/basic-concepts/the-canvas-document/the-canvas-document.html.md): ZBrush isn’t quite like other 3D packages because of its 2D elements: it doesn’t have a 3D scene, but rather has a 2.5D canvas document on which you can …
  - [Saving Your Work](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/getting-started/basic-concepts/saving-your-work/saving-your-work.html.md): When you are working you are sure to want to save your creations. That’s when it’s important to remember the difference between the canvas document and …
  - [LightBox (Basic Concepts)](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/getting-started/basic-concepts/lightbox/lightbox.html.md): The LightBox is a browser that displays the folders and folder contents of ZBrush assets located on your local system.
  - [ZBrush Projects](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/getting-started/basic-concepts/zbrush-projects/zbrush-projects.html.md): When saving a project, ZBrush will create a single file that includes all the loaded Tools, canvas document information, Timeline animation and more. In …
  - [ZBrush Pro Projects](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/getting-started/basic-concepts/zbrush-projects/zbrush-pro-projects.html.md): The Pro Projects section provides ZBrush users with a growing library of professionally crafted scenes and models. These projects can be an invaluable …
  - [iMage3D](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/getting-started/basic-concepts/image3d/image3d.html.md): Introducing a new way to save and share your models! The iMage3D GIF and iMage3D PNG formats allow you to share your actual models within *.GIF and *.PNG …
  - [2D and 3D navigation](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/getting-started/basic-concepts/2d-and-3d-navigation/2d-and-3d-navigation.html.md): As explained in the introduction, ZBrush mixes both 2D and 3D; as a result it has both 2D navigation and 3D navigation.
    - [Axis Rotation](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/getting-started/basic-concepts/2d-and-3d-navigation/axis-rotation/axis-rotation.html.md): Lock your model to one rotational axis to give you that real world feeling of working on a sculpture stand, just like the clay masters did. You can also …
  - [Create concepts in 2D](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/getting-started/basic-concepts/create-concepts-in-2d/create-concepts-in-2d.html.md): Before starting your first creation, don’t forget to think about it first, even if only for a couple of minutes. A good preparation and understanding of …
- [Sculpting a Head](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/getting-started/sculpting-a-head/sculpting-a-head.html.md): 1. Select the Move brush in the Brush palette. The simplest way is to press B on the keyboard to bring up the Brush pop-up palette, then click M on the …
- [Your First Creature Creation](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/getting-started/your-first-creature/your-first-creature.html.md): For your first 3D model, let’s sculpt a one-eyed funny / ugly creature. For this purpose we will work with different levels of Subdivision (which increase …
- [Learning ZBrush](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/getting-started/learning-zbrush/learning-zbrush.html.md): To help you learn ZBrush in greater depth, mastering its different possibilities and all the potential creativity it can bring you, we have compiled the …
  - [ZModeler Videos](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/getting-started/learning-zbrush/zmodeler-videos/zmodeler-videos.html.md): Introducing the latest tool to be added in your modeling pipeline, ZModeler Brush! This brush is geared specifically towards low polygon modeling, but not …
    - [Polygon Actions (ZModeler Videos)](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/getting-started/learning-zbrush/zmodeler-videos/polygon-actions/polygon-actions.html.md): 1. Creating basic shapes to start building upon are important with the ZModeler Brush. This video explains the tool Initialize tab features that allow for …
    - [Point Actions (ZModeler Videos)](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/getting-started/learning-zbrush/zmodeler-videos/point-actions/point-actions.html.md): 31. This incredibly useful feature gives you the ability to split a point into a circular edge ring. See how to apply this further with options to smooth.
    - [Edge Actions (ZModeler Videos)](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/getting-started/learning-zbrush/zmodeler-videos/edge-actions/edge-actions.html.md): 44. Learn how to add, remove, and manipulate edges with the ZModeler Brush.
    - [Curve Actions (ZModeler Videos)](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/getting-started/learning-zbrush/zmodeler-videos/curve-actions/curve-actions.html.md): 71. After creating a Curve (see Poly Add to Curve, Edge Add to Curve, & Point Make Curve for examples), try the Bevel Action, add more control with the …
  - [Architectural Design Videos](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/getting-started/learning-zbrush/architectural-design-videos/architectural-design-videos.html.md): Welcome to our our Architectural Design six part series, featuring Joseph Drust. Through all six videos you’ll be shown how to design, develop, and render …
