--- title: "Primitive3D" url: "https://help.maxon.net/zbp/en-us/Content/html/4_palettes_tool-3-primitives3D.html" section_path: "Palettes > Tool Palette > Tools Overview > Primitive3D" description: "This section covers essential menus and settings for a Primitive3D object." --- # Primitive3D This section covers essential menus and settings for a Primitive3D object. ![Image: 2024-4-tool-palette-initialize-primitive-library.png](https://help.maxon.net/zbp/en-us/Content/Resources/Images/2024-4-tool-palette-initialize-primitive-library.png) ZBrush for iPad default Primitive3D objects: - Sphere3D - Cube3D - Cylinder3D - Cone3D - Ring3D - SweepProfile3D - Circle3D - Arrow3D - Spiral3D - Helix3D - Gear3D - Spherinder3D - Ring3D --- ## Overview Primitive3D objects offer a unique **Initialize** menu with options to customize the Primitive3D object's topology and shape. ![Image: 2024-4-tool-palette-initialize-primitive3D-banner.png](https://help.maxon.net/zbp/en-us/Content/Resources/Images/2024-4-tool-palette-initialize-primitive3D-banner.png) > **Important:** **Primitive3D** objects cannot be sculpted or painted on with brushes until they convert to a PolyMesh3D object. > **Tip:** Primitive3D objects are great starter shapes to create a base mesh you can use to support your sculpting project in another Tool. After customizing with these sliders, head to the Subtool menu and tap **Make PolyMesh3D** to convert. This grants full access to the Tool Palette menus for sculpting and painting. # Primitive3D as a Selected Subtool Selecting a **Primitive3D** object from the Tool library loads the Primitive3D object into the Subtool palette. ![Image: 2024-4-tool-palette-initialize-primitive-selected-subtool.png](https://help.maxon.net/zbp/en-us/Content/Resources/Images/2024-4-tool-palette-initialize-primitive-selected-subtool.png) The Subtool palette is for organizing, adding, and editing subtools. Here, you have the option to **Insert** or **Append** external Tools as subtools, duplicate subtools, and more. > **Note:** Learn more about Subtool management in this guide's **[Subtool Palette](https://help.maxon.net/zbp/en-us/Content/html/4_palettes_tool-subtool-palette.html.md)** section. --- # Make PolyMesh3D When a Primitive3D object is selected, the Subtool palette offers an option to **Make PolyMesh3D**. ![Image: 2024-4-tool-palette-initialize-primitive-make-pm3d.png](https://help.maxon.net/zbp/en-us/Content/Resources/Images/2024-4-tool-palette-initialize-primitive-make-pm3d.png) > **Note:** **Make PolyMesh3D** is required to support a sculpt- and paint-capable model. **Make PolyMesh3D** converts the model into PM3D format, which unlocks a collection of Tool palette menus and features primarily used for sculpting and painting. ![Image: 2024-4-tool-palette-initialize-primitive-make-pm3d-before-after.png](https://help.maxon.net/zbp/en-us/Content/Resources/Images/2024-4-tool-palette-initialize-primitive-make-pm3d-before-after.png) > **Tip:** Note the change in the Tool palette menus in the above example image. Beyond offering different options after conversion, the labeled subtool updates with a **PM3D** label. > **Note:** All ZSpheres and Primitive3D menus and settings are no longer available after converting a model into a PolyMesh3D object. ## Insert and Append with Primitive3D The **Insert and Append** button (highlighted in the Subtools palette shown below) offers the ability to add tools as subtools. ![Image: 2024-4-tool-palette-initialize-primitive-insert-append-icon.png](https://help.maxon.net/zbp/en-us/Content/Resources/Images/2024-4-tool-palette-initialize-primitive-insert-append-icon.png) When you select a Primitive3D object, using **Insert** or **Append**adds the chosen tool as a new subtool and PolyMesh3D object. ![Image: 2024-4-tool-palette-initialize-primitive-insert-append.png](https://help.maxon.net/zbp/en-us/Content/Resources/Images/2024-4-tool-palette-initialize-primitive-insert-append.png) > **Note:** The above example demonstrates two different Tool types in the Subtool list. Swapping between them displays the correlating Tool palette offered for each Tool. --- # Geometry Geometry options for **Primitive3D** objects. ![Image: 2024-4-tool-palette-initialize-primitive-geometry-menu.png](https://help.maxon.net/zbp/en-us/Content/Resources/Images/2024-4-tool-palette-initialize-primitive-geometry-menu.png) ## Divide Click **Divide** to increase the base resolution of a Primitive3D model. > **Important:** Primitive3D objects do not retain subdivision levels when compared to PolyMesh3D objects. > **Note:** To learn more about Divide and Subdivision options, see this guide's [Geometry](https://help.maxon.net/zbp/en-us/Content/html/4_palettes_tool-3-geometry.html.md) section. ### Position Offers controls to adjust separate **XYZ** sliders' position relative to the applied axis. > **Note:** Primitive3D **Position** sliders link to Gizmo3D position controls. Gizmo3D position transformations apply to the correlating **Position** axis sliders. ### Size Offers controls to adjust separate **XYZ** sliders' scale relative to the applied axis. > **Note:** Primitive3D **Size** sliders are linked to **Gizmo3D** scale controls. Gizmo3D scale transformations are applied to the correlating **Size** axis sliders. --- ## Deformation **Deformation** options that can be applied to the Primitive3D model for editing. ![Image: 2024-4-tool-palette-initialize-primitive-deformation-menu.png](https://help.maxon.net/zbp/en-us/Content/Resources/Images/2024-4-tool-palette-initialize-primitive-deformation-menu.png) > **Tip:** Deformations can be handy for specific cases to position or reshape a Primitive3D object. However, deformations may function more effectively after converting the Primitive3D into a PolyMesh3D since a PM3D object offers a wider variety of customization options for modeling and sculpting. > **Note:** ZBrush for iPad's Deformation options function as they do in ZBrush desktop. Learn more in our external ZBrush **[Deformation](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Default.htm#html/reference-guide/tool/polymesh/deformation/deformation.html)** documentation. --- ## Masking **Masking** options that can be applied to the Primitive3D model for editing. ![Image: 2024-4-tool-palette-initialize-primitive-masking-menu.png](https://help.maxon.net/zbp/en-us/Content/Resources/Images/2024-4-tool-palette-initialize-primitive-masking-menu.png) > **Tip:** **Masking** options can be handy for specific cases when using a Primitive3D object. However, these functions can be more effective after converting the Primitive3D into a PolyMesh3D, as a PM3D object offers a wider variety of customization options for sculpting and painting. > **Note:** ZBrush for iPad **Masking** settings function as they do in ZBrush desktop. Learn more in our external ZBrush [Masking](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Default.htm#html/reference-guide/tool/polymesh/masking/masking.html) documentation. ## Visibility **Visibility** options that can be applied to the Primitive3D model for editing. ![Image: 2024-4-tool-palette-initialize-primitive-visibility-menu.png](https://help.maxon.net/zbp/en-us/Content/Resources/Images/2024-4-tool-palette-initialize-primitive-visibility-menu.png) > **Note:** ZBrush for iPad **Visibility** settings function as they do in ZBrush desktop. Learn more in our external ZBrush [Visibility](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Default.htm#html/reference-guide/tool/polymesh/visibility/visibility.html) documentation. ## Display Properties **Display Properties** options that can be used with a Primitive3D model. ![Image: 2024-4-tool-palette-initialize-primitive-display-properties-menu.png](https://help.maxon.net/zbp/en-us/Content/Resources/Images/2024-4-tool-palette-initialize-primitive-display-properties-menu.png) > **Note:** ZBrush for iPad **Display Properties** settings function as they do in ZBrush desktop. Learn more in our external ZBrush [Display Properties](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Default.htm#html/reference-guide/tool/zsphere/display-properties/display-properties.html) documentation. ## Initialize Each Primitive3D object offers its own collection of sliders and settings to customize the model. These options offers the ability to edit the primitive objects base topology, shape, and size. ![Image: 2024-4-tool-palette-initialize-primitive-initialize-menu.png](https://help.maxon.net/zbp/en-us/Content/Resources/Images/2024-4-tool-palette-initialize-primitive-initialize-menu.png) > **Note:** Each Primitive3D object has its own unique settings for editing. Terrain3D, Sweep3D, and Helix3D offer profile curves to reshape the model.