# Reference Guide - ZBrush

> Part of the documentation index for ZBrush (https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/llms.txt). Section path: Reference Guide. 188 page(s) in this section.

Overview page:

- [Reference Guide](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/reference-guide.html.md): The Reference Guide describes and explains the whole of the ZBrush interface. Each palette is composed of default items that are always available and …

## Pages

- [Interface Overview](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/interface-overview/interface-overview.html.md): Elements cannot be undocked and moved outside the window area, but most of them can be highly customized and placed how you like within the window’s space.
- [Title Bar](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/title-bar/title-bar.html.md): The Title Bar is at the top of the interface. It shows information about ZBrush’s current state such as memory usage. Immediately below are the menu or …
- [Alpha (Reference Guide)](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/alpha/alpha.html.md): The Alpha palette contains a variety of grayscale images known as Alphas. These images look like nautical depth soundings used to map the ocean floor — …
  - [Create](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/alpha/create/create.html.md): The Alpha>Create sub-palette allows you to create a new alpha using NoiseMaker.
  - [Modify](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/alpha/modify/modify.html.md): The Alpha>Modify sub-palette allows you to alter the selected alpha in various ways.
  - [Make 3D](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/alpha/make-3d/make-3d.html.md): The Alpha > Make 3D sub-palette allows you to create a 3D mesh from the selected alpha.
  - [Transfer](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/alpha/transfer/transfer.html.md): The Alpha > Transfer sub-palette allows you to transfer the selected alpha to other ZBrush palettes, as well as carry out alpha operations on the document.
- [Brush (Reference Guide)](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/brush/brush.html.md): The Brush palette contains most of the controls related to sculpting 3D models. There are many brushes you can sculpt with in ZBrush 4R5. Each brush has a …
  - [Brush Types](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/brush/brush-types/brush-types.html.md): There are many different brushes you can sculpt with in ZBrush. Each brush has a unique property that allows it to do something the other brushes cannot …
  - [Curve (Brush)](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/brush/curve/curve.html.md): The Edit Curve defines the shape of the brush relative to the sculpting surface, separate from any alpha that is assigned to the brush.
  - [Depth (Brush)](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/brush/depth/depth.html.md): The Brush > Depth sub-palette controls how the brush is placed relative to the mesh surface.
  - [Samples](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/brush/samples/samples.html.md): The Brush > Samples sub-palette controls how the brush reacts to the mesh surface.
  - [Surface (Brush)](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/brush/surface/surface.html.md): The Brush > Surface sub-palette controls the way noise can be applied to the mesh surface.
  - [Elasticity](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/brush/elasticity/elasticity.html.md): The Brush > Elasticity sub-palette controls the elasticity of the brush.
  - [FiberMesh (Brush)](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/brush/fibermesh/fibermesh.html.md): The Brush > FiberMesh sub-palette makes the brush FiberMesh-aware. These options can be applied to any brush.
  - [Twist](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/brush/twist/twist.html.md): The Brush > Twist sub-palette controls the twist actions for the brush.
  - [Orientation (Brush)](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/brush/orientation/orientation.html.md): The Brush > Orientation sub-palette controls the degree and extent of spin for the brush.
  - [Modifiers (Brush)](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/brush/modifiers/modifiers.html.md): The Brush > Modifiers sub-palette allows you to modify the behaviour of certain brushes, especially the InsertMesh brushes.
  - [Sculptris Pro (Brush)](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/brush/sculptris-pro/sculptris-pro.html.md): When the Enable button is activated the selected brush will use Sculptris Pro mode when the Sculptris Pro button is on in the Stroke palette.
  - [Auto Masking](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/brush/auto-masking/auto-masking.html.md): The Brush > Auto Masking sub-palette controls the auto-masking features.
  - [Tablet Pressure](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/brush/tablet-pressure/tablet-pressure.html.md): The Brush > Tablet Pressure sub-palette controls how ZBrush uses input from a graphics tablet.
  - [Alpha and Texture](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/brush/alpha-and-texture/alpha-and-texture.html.md): The Brush > Alpha and Texture sub-palette controls how the current brush applies alphas and textures.
  - [Clip Brush Modifiers](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/brush/clip-brush-modifiers/clip-brush-modifiers.html.md): The Brush > Clip Brush Modifiers sub-palette provides controls for the Clip brushes.
  - [Smooth Brush Modifiers](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/brush/smooth-brush-modifiers/smooth-brush-modifiers.html.md): The Brush > Smooth Brush Modifiers sub-palette provides controls for the Smooth brushes.
- [Color (Reference Guide)](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/color/color.html.md): The Color palette displays the current color, and provides a number of ways to select it. You can also select a secondary color, which is used by some …
  - [Modifiers (Color)](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/color/modifiers/modifiers.html.md): Additional color chooser systems are available in the Color > Modifiers sub-palette. All four pickers may be open and active at the same time.
- [Document (Reference Guide)](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/document/document.html.md): In the Document palette, you can open and save ZBrush documents, and import or export flat images in a variety of formats. The document area is called the …
  - [PaintStop (Document)](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/document/paintstop-btn/paintstop-btn.html.md): PaintStop configures your user interface and settings to give you the true-to-life feel of using real world art tools. In addition to the many brushes …
  - [ZAppLink Properties](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/document/zapplink-properties/zapplink-properties.html.md): The ZAppLink Properties sub-palette provides buttons for different views of your model for use with the ZAppLink plugin.
- [Draw (Reference Guide)](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/draw/draw.html.md): The Draw palette provides important settings for the way nearly every tool behaves. Each tool’s Draw palette settings (except Draw Size) are stored …
  - [Floor Grid (Draw)](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/draw/floor-grid/floor-grid.html.md): The Open and Save buttons allow you to save your current reference images and grids setup for other projects. Opening a previous grid arrangement is often …
  - [Channels](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/draw/channels/channels.html.md): The Draw > Channels sub-palette has controls for how new drawing affects or reacts to pixols already on the canvas.
- [Dynamics](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/dynamics/dynamics.html.md): Controls the number of simulation cycles that will be used for each movement. Higher values are more accurate but can slow down the simulation. Lower …
- [Edit (Reference Guide)](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/edit/edit.html.md): In the Edit palette, you can undo and redo recent changes. You can also see how many undos are available. If you’re editing (sculpting) a 3D object or …
- [File (Reference Guide)](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/file/file.html.md): The File palette contains buttons for loading, saving, importing and exporting a variety of files in a variety of formats — Projects, Documents, 3D …
- [Layer](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/layer/layer.html.md): The Layer palette controls the canvas Layers. Layers are like separate canvases which are merged together in one ZBrush document.They have depth as well …
- [Light (Reference Guide)](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/light/light.html.md): The Light palette provides up to 8 lights, as well as modifiers for customizing them. Select lights, and turn them on or off, by clicking on them. The …
  - [Lights Properties](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/light/lights-properties/lights-properties.html.md): The Light > Lights Properties sub-palette controls if shadows and sub-surface scattering will be used with the selected light and the illumination falloff.
  - [Background (Light)](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/light/background/background.html.md): The Light > Background sub-palette controls the set up and adjustments for a panoramic background.
  - [Environment Maps](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/light/environment-maps/environment-maps.html.md): The Light > Environment sub-palette provides controls for global environment illumination. The settings are used by any new LightCap which will …
  - [LightCap](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/light/lightcap/lightcap.html.md): The LightCap sub-palette is used to create a new LightCap®. LightCap is a way to create a Material or Matcap in real-time by manipulating directly the …
  - [LightCap Adjustment](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/light/lightcap-adjustment/lightcap-adjustment.html.md): The LightCap Adjustment sub-palette includes several functions, which will globally alter or transform the current LightCap in opposition to the LightCap …
  - [LightCap Horizon](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/light/lightcap-horizon/lightcap-horizon.html.md): The LightCap Horizon sub-palette includes functions for manipulating the orientation of the LightCap, and for creating and adjusting a Horizon Line.
  - [Lights Type](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/light/lights-type/lights-type.html.md): The buttons in the Light Type sub-palette determine the type of the selected light.
  - [Lights Placement](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/light/lights-placement/lights-placement.html.md): With the Light > Lights Placement sub-palette you can adjust the light position. The controls do not affect the position of a Sun type light.
  - [Lights Shadow](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/light/lights-shadow/lights-shadow.html.md): The Light > Lights Shadow sub-palette controls how the selected light casts shadows. Some of these settings only apply to Best Renders. BPR shadows are …
- [Macro](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/macro/macro.html.md): The Macro palette enables you to record and play back macros.
  - [Macros (Macro)](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/macro/macros/macros.html.md): Macro palette showing the Macros sub-palette with Misc section expanded
- [Marker (Reference Guide)](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/marker/marker.html.md): Markers record the position, size and orientation of 3D objects. 3D objects placed on the canvas become converted to pixols, and can’t be transformed or …
- [Material (Reference Guide)](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/material/material.html.md): The Material palette contains a library of materials to choose from. Each material contains modifiers which cause it to interact with light in a unique …
  - [Wax Modifiers](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/material/wax-modifiers/wax-modifiers.html.md): The Material > Wax Modifier sub-pallette provides options for creating a wax effect for the selected material. This effect is visually very close to a Sub …
  - [Quick Palette](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/material/quick-palette/quick-palette.html.md): The Materials Quick Palette shows all available materials, including those custom materials that are loaded at startup. To launch the quick palette, click …
  - [Modifiers (Material)](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/material/modifiers/modifiers.html.md): The Material > Modifiers sub-palette provides a vast variety of ways to customize the effects of the selected material. Most effects determine how the …
  - [Mixer](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/material/mixer/mixer.html.md): The Material Mixer sub-palette has enhanced mixing operators, making it possible for you to mix several shaders on a surface, creating dynamic materials …
  - [Environment (Material)](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/material/environment/environment.html.md): The Material > Environment sub-palette has controls for material shadows and ambient occlusion in BPR renders.
  - [Matcap Maker](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/material/matcap-maker/matcap-maker.html.md): MatCaps™ are materials with their lighting and other attributes baked in. You can create your own MatCaps in various ways, including using the MatCap …
- [Movie (Reference Guide)](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/movie/movie.html.md): The Movie palette handles recording and playback of ZBrush Movies.
  - [Modifiers (Movie)](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/movie/modifiers/modifiers.html.md): The Movie > Modifiers sub-palette contains recording and playback options.
  - [TimeLine (Movie)](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/movie/timeline/timeline.html.md): The Movie > Timeline sub-palette gives access to the TimeLine.
  - [TimeLine Tracks](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/movie/timeline-tracks/timeline-tracks.html.md): The Movie > TimeLine Tracks sub-palette allows you to control the tracks for movie recording.
  - [Overlay Magnify Glass](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/movie/overlay-magnify-glass/overlay-magnify-glass.html.md): The Movie > Overlay Magnify Glass sub-palette sets options for the magnify glass in movie recording. To activate the Magnify Glass see the Preferences > …
  - [Overlay Image](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/movie/overlay-image/overlay-image.html.md): This leftmost thumbnail defines an image that will be overlaid on the recorded movie.
  - [Title Image](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/movie/title-image/title-image.html.md): Defines the image to use as the title image. Click to select.
- [Picker (Reference Guide)](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/picker/picker.html.md): The Picker palette determines how certain painting/sculpting attributes, such as color, material, depth and orientation, are applied.
  - [Source](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/picker/source/source.html.md): The Active Layer button causes information (such as orientation, depth, color and material) to be picked only from the active layer, and all other layers …
  - [Orientation (Picker)](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/picker/orientation/orientation.html.md): The Selected Orientation picker displays and determines the orientation of all drawn strokes and objects, if the tool is capable of changing its …
  - [Depth (Picker)](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/picker/depth/depth.html.md): The Selected Z slider displays and determines the depth of all drawn strokes and objects. You can adjust this slider to change the depth, or click and …
  - [Color (Picker)](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/picker/color/color.html.md): The Selected Color icon displays and determines the color of all drawn strokes and objects. You can click this picker to use the current Color palette …
  - [Material (Picker)](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/picker/material/material.html.md): The Selected Material icon displays and determines the material of all drawn strokes and objects. You can click this picker to use the current Material …
- [Preferences (Reference Guide)](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/preferences/preferences.html.md): The Preferences palette contains settings for many ZBrush features so that you can set them to suit your working requirements. After changing settings the …
  - [Config (Preferences)](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/preferences/config/config.html.md): If you have defined and SAVED a custom user interface, but then switched back to the standard interface with the Restore Standard UI button (or otherwise …
  - [Quick Info (Preferences)](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/preferences/quick-info/quick-info.html.md): Press Quick Info to turn on large thumbnail viewers for buttons and items in the Alpha, Material, Texture and Tool palettes.
  - [Hotkeys (Preferences)](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/preferences/hotkeys/hotkeys.html.md)
  - [Interface (Preferences)](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/preferences/interface/interface.html.md): The Preferences > Interface sub-palette controls how the user interface looks and reacts.
  - [Custom UI](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/preferences/custom-ui/custom-ui.html.md): It is possible to create custom menus in ZBrush so that you can group together those items you use most and improve your workflow. Before creating new …
  - [Icolors](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/preferences/icolors/icolors.html.md): The Preferences > Icolors sub-palette allows adjustment of the interface colors to create a custom color scheme. Interface colors can be saved and loaded …
  - [Picker (Preferences)](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/preferences/picker/picker.html.md)
  - [Mem (Preferences)](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/preferences/mem/mem.html.md)
  - [Marker (Preferences)](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/preferences/marker/marker.html.md)
  - [Zsphere (Preferences)](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/preferences/zsphere/zsphere.html.md)
  - [Zscript (Preferences)](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/preferences/zscript/zscript.html.md)
  - [Importexport](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/preferences/importexport/importexport.html.md)
  - [Lightbox (Preferences)](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/preferences/lightbox/lightbox.html.md)
  - [Draw (Preferences)](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/preferences/draw/draw.html.md)
  - [Magnify Glass (Preferences)](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/preferences/magnify-glass/magnify-glass.html.md): When the Magnify Glass is enabled ZBrush will display a small magnifier to magnify UI and Document during recordings. You can adjust the magnifier to you …
  - [Tablet](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/preferences/tablet/tablet.html.md)
  - [Performance (Preferences)](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/preferences/performance/performance.html.md)
  - [Edit (Preferences)](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/preferences/edit/edit.html.md): The Default Cursor color picker selects what color will be used for the sculpting brush cursor. Click the button to select the color.
  - [Transpose (Preferences)](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/preferences/transpose/transpose.html.md): Adjust the Circles Radius slider to increase or decrease the size of the circles on the Transpose line.
  - [Transpose Units (Preferences)](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/preferences/transpose-units/transpose-units.html.md)
  - [Geometry (Preferences)](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/preferences/geometry/geometry.html.md): The DynaMesh Close Holes slider sets whether a DynaMesh operation will close any holes and if so, what size the triangles will be.
  - [Misc (Preferences)](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/preferences/misc/misc.html.md): Automatically select the last used file type when exporting.
  - [Undo History (Preferences)](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/preferences/undo-history/undo-history.html.md): When the Show Undo Selector button is enabled ZBrush will display small boxes at the top of the canvas area to indicate the number of undos available for …
  - [Quicksave (Preferences)](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/preferences/quicksave/quicksave.html.md): The Maximum Duration slider sets the maximum number of minutes that can elapse between Auto Saves. If you do not save the project yourself within this …
  - [ScreenSaver](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/preferences/screensaver/screensaver.html.md): The ScreenSaver sub-palette provides a single slider for setting the duration (in seconds) before the ScreenSaver appears. The default value is 120 …
  - [Utilities (Preferences)](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/preferences/utilities/utilities.html.md): If a tablet is being used this slider will show the current pressure.
  - [Language (Preferences)](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/preferences/language/language.html.md): The Language sub-palette allows you to chose the language that you would like displayed in the ZBrush interface.
  - [Boolean](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/preferences/boolean/boolean.html.md): The Boolean sub-palette provides settings for adjusting the boolean operations.
  - [GoZ (Preferences)](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/preferences/goz/goz.html.md)
  - [Decimation Master (Preferences)](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/preferences/decimation-master/decimation-master.html.md)
- [Render (Reference Guide)](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/render/render.html.md): The Render palette provides four standard rendering modes of varying detail levels, with a variety of modifiers for each. Additionally there is the Best …
  - [External Renderer](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/render/external-renderer/external-renderer.html.md): The ZBrush to KeyShot Bridge is simple and easy to use but there are a few options can have great impact on the way you work. This is particularly true of …
  - [Render Properties](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/render/render-properties/render-properties.html.md): Preview Render Maps Details Level. By increasing the Details slider, you will increase the quality of your render. This is done by creating larger maps …
  - [BPR RenderPass](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/render/bpr-renderpass/bpr-renderpass.html.md): The Best Preview Render button will render any model in edit mode with real 3D Shadows, 3D Fibers, Ambient Occlusion, Transparent Subtools, or with HD …
  - [BPR Transparency](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/render/bpr-transparency/bpr-transparency.html.md): The Strength slider controls the Transparency effect by surface normals. A higher value will give greater transparency.
  - [BPR Shadow](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/render/bpr-shadow/bpr-shadow.html.md): The BPR Shadow sub-palette controls how shadows are rendered with a Best Preview Render.
  - [Bpr Ao](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/render/bpr-ao/bpr-ao.html.md): Ambient Occlusion Strength. The Strength slider sets the strength of the ambient occlusion effect; higher values give a stronger effect.
  - [Bpr Sss](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/render/bpr-sss/bpr-sss.html.md): Calculates SSS Across Subtools. The SSS Across Subtools button will take all subtools into consideration when calculating subsurface scattering. If this …
  - [BPR Filters (Render)](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/render/bpr-filters/bpr-filters.html.md): BPR filters are post-process effects applied to your Best Preview Render. There are several advantages to using these filters. First, it avoids the extra …
    - [Filters List (BPR Filters)](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/render/bpr-filters/filters-list/filters-list.html.md): Noise applies speckles to the render. The noise color can be modulated by the Color setting located at the right of the Blend mode.
    - [Modulators](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/render/bpr-filters/modulators/modulators.html.md): The Texture selector thumbnail is only enabled for some BPR filters. It lets you select an image to be used by those filters. It is not used as a mask …
  - [Antialiasing](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/render/antialiasing/antialiasing.html.md): The Color Antialiasing (Blur) slider is used only by the Best Renderer, and determines the softness of the antialiasing effect. Larger values represent …
  - [Depth Cue (Render)](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/render/depth-cue/depth-cue.html.md): Depth Cue is only available for Best renders. It must be enabled using the Depth Cue button in the Render Properties menu.
  - [Fog (Render)](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/render/fog/fog.html.md): Fog must be enabled using the Fog button in the Render Properties menu.
  - [Fast Render](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/render/fast-render/fast-render.html.md): The Render > Fast Render sub-palette controls properties for the Fast renderer.
  - [Preview Shadows](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/render/preview-shadows/preview-shadows.html.md): The Deep Shadow button will increase the intensity of the preview shadows. By having this on the shadows will have a larger gradient range from surface …
  - [Preview Wax](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/render/preview-wax/preview-wax.html.md): Preview Wax will apply a wax-like appearance to the model’s materials in real-time through the Preview render. This means that the effect will be visible …
  - [Environment (Render)](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/render/environment/environment.html.md): The Render > Environment sub-palette controls environmental reflections.
  - [Adjustments (Render)](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/render/adjustments/adjustments.html.md): The Render > Adjustments sub-palette controls allow you to make color corrections to the final render without permanently altering it. The four curves at …
- [Stencil](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/stencil/stencil.html.md): The Stencil palette allows you to use and control a stencil.
- [Stroke (Reference Guide)](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/stroke/stroke.html.md): The Stroke palette provides a variety of stroke types which determine how each tool is applied when the cursor is dragged on the canvas. By default, most …
  - [Modifiers (Stroke)](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/stroke/modifiers/modifiers.html.md): The Replay Last button re-traces the last brush stroke (from mouse/pen click to release), regardless whether it was created using the same tool or …
  - [Sculptris Pro (Stroke)](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/stroke/sculptris-pro/sculptris-pro.html.md): When the Sculptris Pro button is enabled all brushes that are compatible with Sculptris Pro mode will add triangle tesselation with each brush stroke …
  - [Lazy Mouse](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/stroke/lazy-mouse/lazy-mouse.html.md): When LazyMouse is on, drawing will take place not under the mouse cursor, but under a brush point that is being ‘dragged behind’ the mouse cursor by a …
  - [Curve (Stroke)](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/stroke/curve/curve.html.md): Activates LazyCurve. The Curve Mode allows a curve to be applied to the currently selected brush. As with other Stroke settings, this option is enabled …
  - [Curve Functions](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/stroke/curve-functions/curve-functions.html.md): The Delete button will delete all curves. If a curve brush is selected, tapping on the mesh will delete the curves.
  - [Curve Modifiers](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/stroke/curve-modifiers/curve-modifiers.html.md): The Intensity mode enables the usage of variable intensity when the brush stroke is applied to the curve. To create a constant stroke along the curve’s …
  - [Inventory](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/stroke/inventory/inventory.html.md): The Curve > Inventory sub-palette has controls for recording and playback of strokes.
- [Texture (Reference Guide)](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/texture/texture.html.md): The Texture palette contains a variety of images and patterns. You can use Textures while painting, or you can wrap them around a 3D object’s surface. You …
  - [Spotlight (Texture)](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/texture/spotlight/spotlight.html.md): SpotLight v2.0 is a projection texturing system which allows you to prepare your source texture directly in ZBrush, then paint your model with it in 3D …
  - [Substance Bridge](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/texture/substance-bridge/substance-bridge.html.md): Getting a ZBrush sculpt into Adobe Substance 3D Painter has traditionally been a multi-step, manual process. Artists had to export separate low-poly and …
- [Tool (Reference Guide)](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/tool/tool.html.md): The sub-palettes for the Tool palette vary depending on what type of Tool is selected. Choose from the options below to learn about the different …
  - [Polymesh](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/tool/polymesh/polymesh.html.md): A polymesh is a 3D model that is composed of polygons. In ZBrush, only polymeshes can be sculpted. There is only one polymesh that is available when …
    - [SubTool (Polymesh)](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/tool/polymesh/subtool/subtool.html.md): SubTools are separate polygon objects. Each SubTool can be equal to the maximum number of polygons your system can handle. If your system handles 8 …
    - [Geometry (Polymesh)](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/tool/polymesh/geometry/geometry.html.md): The Lower Subdivision Resolution button selects the next-lower-resolution mesh from this object’s alternative mesh resolutions. Higher-resolution meshes …
      - [ZRemesher (Geometry)](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/tool/polymesh/geometry/zremesher/zremesher.html.md): Here is a list of the ZRemesher settings which can be changed to precisely control the results of your retopology. All settings are found in the Tool > …
    - [Array Mesh (Polymesh)](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/tool/polymesh/array-mesh/array-mesh.html.md): Below is a list of the Array Mesh settings that can be modified for greater control over the duplication process. Most of these settings are fully …
    - [NanoMesh (Polymesh)](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/tool/polymesh/nanomesh/nanomesh.html.md): Even though a single NanoMesh index results in repeating the same piece of geom­etry multiple times across the surface of the model, there are an …
    - [Layers](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/tool/polymesh/layers/layers.html.md): Layers allow for a non-linear workflow. You can work with a model at many different stages of development simultaneously. Add details such as a reptile’s …
    - [FiberMesh (Polymesh)](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/tool/polymesh/fibermesh/fibermesh.html.md): Click the Lightbox>Fibers button to quickly load a FiberMesh preset from Lightbox.
    - [Geometry HD](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/tool/polymesh/geometry-hd/geometry-hd.html.md): HD Geometry is the next evolution in Sculpting. HD Geometry allows you to divide your model to 1 billion polygons while only taxing your system with the …
    - [Preview (Polymesh)](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/tool/polymesh/preview/preview.html.md): The Object Preview window displays the current 3D tool, and how it will be drawn when applying it to the canvas. Also displayed is the clipping plane …
    - [Surface (Polymesh)](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/tool/polymesh/surface/surface.html.md): The Surface menu contains controls to apply noise to the mesh. Noise is a render effect – it does not affect the geometry of the mesh and so is not …
    - [Deformation (Polymesh)](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/tool/polymesh/deformation/deformation.html.md): The Tool > Deformation sub-palette provides ways to sculpt 3D objects using unique effects. To see these effects updated in an object on the canvas, it …
    - [Masking (Polymesh)](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/tool/polymesh/masking/masking.html.md): The Tool > Masking sub-palette provides options for masking a 3D object. Masking modifies all editing (sculpting) actions, whether applied directly or …
    - [Visibility](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/tool/polymesh/visibility/visibility.html.md): The Hide Unmasked button hides all polygons with a mask value of less than 50%, making them invisible. This provides a means of creating holes in the …
    - [Polygroups (Polymesh)](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/tool/polymesh/polygroups/polygroups.html.md): Auto Groups will create a new group for each separate poly object. Keep in mind that a separate poly object is not a SubTool but a part of the object that …
    - [Contact (Polymesh)](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/tool/polymesh/contact/contact.html.md): Contact points will allow rigid movement of any SubTool with an adjacent target SubTool. All three Contact points will allow the selected SubTool to move …
    - [Morph Target](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/tool/polymesh/morph-target/morph-target.html.md)
    - [Polypaint (Polymesh)](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/tool/polymesh/polypaint/polypaint.html.md): The Colorize Mesh button enables you to paint colors directly onto a mesh’s polygons. If no polypaint has been applied, pressing this button will …
    - [UV Map](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/tool/polymesh/uv-map/uv-map.html.md): The Delete UV button will delete the UVs of the current selected SubTool. SubTools must have UVs in order to apply any Texture or Displacement map.
    - [Texture Map](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/tool/polymesh/texture-map/texture-map.html.md): Click on the Texture Map thumbnail to select a texture map from the main Texture palette pop-up. Pressing the Import button on the pop-up will allow you …
    - [Vector Displacement Map](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/tool/polymesh/vector-displacement-map/vector-displacement-map.html.md): The vd Tangent option sets how the vector displacement map is computed – whether it’s based on the normal of the polygons or based on the world axis. With …
    - [Displacement Map](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/tool/polymesh/displacement-map/displacement-map.html.md): The Displacement Map thumbnail displays the most recently created (or selected) displacement map. Each SubTool may have its own displacement map. Click …
    - [Normal Map](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/tool/polymesh/normal-map/normal-map.html.md): The Normal Map thumbnail displays the most recently created normal map. Each SubTool can have its own normal map.
    - [Display Properties (Polymesh)](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/tool/polymesh/display-properties/display-properties.html.md): The Draw Smooth Tolerance slider applies a smoothing effect to sharp edges of this 3D object. Higher values apply this effect to a larger portion of the …
    - [Unified Skin (Polymesh)](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/tool/polymesh/unified-skin/unified-skin.html.md): The Skin Resolution slider determines the polygon resolution of the next skin created with the Make Unified Skin button.
    - [Initialize](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/tool/polymesh/initialize/initialize.html.md): Quick Mesh primitives are based on the selected X, Y and Z values. Changing these settings will have an impact on the shape. The settings are described …
    - [Import](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/tool/polymesh/import/import.html.md): The Merge button helps optimize meshes when importing 3D objects. It welds points which overlap in the mesh. Import options are available only when the …
    - [Export (Polymesh)](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/tool/polymesh/export/export.html.md): Export as Quadrangular polygons. The Quad Poly and Tri Poly buttons determine whether polygons in this 3D object will be 4-sided (preferred within ZBrush) …
  - [ZSphere (Tool)](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/tool/zsphere/zsphere.html.md)
    - [Display Properties (ZSphere)](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/tool/zsphere/display-properties/display-properties.html.md): The Density slider determines how many gray link-spheres are drawn between parent ZSpheres when editing.
    - [Unified Skin (ZSphere)](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/tool/zsphere/unified-skin/unified-skin.html.md): Preview Unified 3D Skin. Click Preview button to preview what your Unified Mesh will be from the following settings.
    - [Adaptive Skin (ZSphere)](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/tool/zsphere/adaptive-skin/adaptive-skin.html.md): Press the Preview Adaptive 3D Skin button (or hotkey ‘A’) to see how the next Adaptive Skin will look with the current settings.
    - [ZSketch (ZSphere)](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/tool/zsphere/zsketch/zsketch.html.md): ZSketch is a technology based on ZSpheres which gives you total freedom when creating models. ZSketch can be used in three different ways:
    - [Rigging (ZSphere)](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/tool/zsphere/rigging/rigging.html.md): Press Bind Mesh to bind the mesh in the Rigging sub-palette to the current ZSphere rig.
    - [Topology (ZSphere)](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/tool/zsphere/topology/topology.html.md): Once a polymesh has been prepped for retopologization (see the help for Tool > Rigging > Select), pressing the Edit Topology button takes you into …
    - [Projection](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/tool/zsphere/projection/projection.html.md): When the Projection switch is on, then a new mesh created from a topology will have detail from an underlying mesh projected onto it. This is intended to …
  - [Primitive](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/tool/primitive/primitive.html.md): ZBrush Primitive objects (sometimes called Parametric objects) rely on mathematical data to define their shapes, and can be shaped on the fly by adjusting …
    - [Types of Primitive](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/tool/primitive/types-of-primitive/types-of-primitive.html.md): The Sphere3D provides an excellent starting point for organic shapes.
  - [2.5D Tool](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/tool/2-5d-tool/2-5d-tool.html.md): The 2.5D Tools are for working with the ZBrush canvas directly. Unlike ordinary paint programs, the ZBrush canvas can hold depth and material information …
    - [Modifiers (2.5D Tool)](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/tool/2-5d-tool/modifiers/modifiers.html.md): Some of the 2.5D Tools have modifiers, allowing you to adjust their behaviour.
- [Transform (Reference Guide)](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/transform/transform.html.md): The Transform palette is used chiefly with 3D objects. When an object’s position, size or orientation is changed, it is said to be ‘transformed’. When its …
  - [Modifiers (Transform)](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/transform/modifiers/modifiers.html.md): The Transform > Modifiers sub-palette has controls for limiting editing actions by axis.
  - [Info](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/transform/info/info.html.md): The Info sliders display numeric data about the position, size and orientation of a 3D object when it’s in a Transform or Edit mode. If the Move button is …
- [Zplugin (Reference Guide)](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/zplugin/zplugin.html.md)
  - [Misc Utilities](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/zplugin/misc-utilities/misc-utilities.html.md)
  - [Projection Master (Zplugin)](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/zplugin/projection-master/projection-master.html.md)
  - [QuickSketch (Zplugin)](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/zplugin/quicksketch/quicksketch.html.md)
- [Zscript (Reference Guide)](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/zscript/zscript.html.md): The Zscript palette has controls for recording and playing back Zscript recordings.
- [What is Python Support in ZBrush?](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/zscript/zscript-python.html.md): ZBrush now integrates the Python scripting language, a powerful tool for automation and pipeline integration. This implementation allows artists and …
- [Help (Reference Guide)](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/help/help.html.md): The Help palette has easy access to various ZBrush resources.
- [Release Notes](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/release-notes/release-notes.html.md): Release Notes for ZBrush versions listing all additions, improvements and fixes.
  - [ZBrush 2023](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/release-notes/zbrush-2023/zbrush-2023.html.md)
  - [ZBrush 2022](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/release-notes/zbrush-2022/zbrush-2022.html.md)
  - [ZBrush 2021.7](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/release-notes/zbrush-2021-7/zbrush-2021-7.html.md)
  - [ZBrush 2021.6](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/html/reference-guide/release-notes/zbrush-2021-6/zbrush-2021-6.html.md): This release brings feature parity with ZBrushCore and ZBrushCoreMini.
