--- title: "ZSphere Settings" url: "https://help.maxon.net/zbp/en-us/Content/html/4_palettes_tool-3-zsphere-settings.html" section_path: "Palettes > Tool Palette > Tools Overview > ZSphere Settings" description: "The section provides essential information on ZSphere menus and editing features." --- # ZSphere Settings The section provides essential information on ZSphere menus and editing features. > **Note:** This guide offers a step-by-step guide to creating with ZSpheres. Learn more in the [ZSphere Essentials](https://help.maxon.net/zbp/en-us/Content/html/5_sculpting-and-painting_zsphere-essentials.html.md) section. > **Note:** ZBrush for iPad ZSpheres functionality works the same as in ZBrush desktop. Learn more in our external ZBrush [ZSpheres](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/#html/user-guide/3d-modeling/modeling-basics/creating-meshes/zspheres/zspheres.html) documentation. --- # Subtool With a ZSphere selected, the Tool palette presets the standard Subtools menu for management as well as additional ZSphere-related menus. Here, you can add more ZSpheres to build multiple armatures. You can also add PolyMesh3D objects. ![Image: 2024-4-tool-palette-zsphere-settings-subtool.png](https://help.maxon.net/zbp/en-us/Content/Resources/Images/2024-4-tool-palette-zsphere-settings-subtool.png) > **Note:** Learn more about Tool management in this guide's [Subtool Palette](https://help.maxon.net/zbp/en-us/Content/html/4_palettes_tool-subtool-palette.html.md) section. --- # Adaptive Skin A geometry skinning system used to convert ZSpheres into a PolyMesh3D object for sculpting and painting. ![Image: 2024-4-tool-palette-zsphere-settings-adaptive-skin.png](https://help.maxon.net/zbp/en-us/Content/Resources/Images/2024-4-tool-palette-zsphere-settings-adaptive-skin.png) ## Preview Toggle to preview the ZSphere model's topology. Results show what the model will look like when you **Make Adaptive Skin** in subsequent steps. ## Density Resolution Sets the geometry's base resolution. Each incremental **Density** value integer represents one Subdivision level. > **Tip:** To properly preview **Density** resolution, disable **DynaMesh Resolution** by setting its slider to 0. This leaves only **Density** resolution visible when clicking the **Preview** button. > **Note:** When **DynaMesh Resolution** has an assigned value higher than 0, the preview displays the combination of DynaMesh and Density subdivisions. > **Important:** After clicking **Make Adaptive Skin**, applied Density levels convert into Subdivision levels assigned to the new subtool. ## DynaMesh Resolution Activates DynaMesh and controls the resolution applied in the preview. This setting applies to the resulting mesh after clicking **Make Adaptive Skin**. > **Note:** Set this slider to 0 to disable DynaMesh operation in both the preview and **Make Adaptive Skin** results. ## Make Adaptive Skin Based on the applied Adaptive Skin settings, **Make Adaptive Skin** creates a PolyMesh3D object and adds it to the Tool library. ![Image: 2024-4-tool-palette-zsphere-settings-make-adaptive-skin.png](https://help.maxon.net/zbp/en-us/Content/Resources/Images/2024-4-tool-palette-zsphere-settings-make-adaptive-skin.png) > **Note:** The above example highlights how both the original ZSphere and Adaptive Skin tools are placed in the Tool library. Tap to swap between Tools. > **Note:** ZBrush for iPad's Adaptive Skin settings function just as they do in ZBrush desktop. Learn more in our external ZBrush [**Adaptive Skin**](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Default.htm#html/reference-guide/tool/zsphere/adaptive-skin/adaptive-skin.html) documentation. --- # Unified Skin A geometry skinning system used for ZSpheres with ZSketch applied. Unified Skin creates smooth Polygroups with edge looping around designated parts of your mesh. ![Image: 2024-4-tool-palette-zsphere-settings-unified-skin.png](https://help.maxon.net/zbp/en-us/Content/Resources/Images/2024-4-tool-palette-zsphere-settings-unified-skin.png) ## Preview When a ZSphere has ZSketch applied and is in Edit Sketch mode, tap preview to view the unified skinning of the Sketch surface. > **Important:** Unified Skin previewing cannot be used if the ZSphere does not have ZSketch applied with EditSketch active. ## SDiv Sets the number of subdivisions that will be applied to the resulting **Make Unified Skin** mesh. ## Resolution Sets the base resolution of the model visible in the preview as well as in the resulting **Make Unified Skin** mesh. > **Note:** ZBrush for iPad's Unified Skin functions just as it does in ZBrush desktop. Learn more in our ZBrush [Unified Skin](https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Default.htm#html/reference-guide/tool/zsphere/unified-skin/unified-skin.html) documentation. --- # ZSketch A secondary ZSphere feature to "sketch" on top of ZSpheres, adding surface volume in a sculptural manner. ZSketch surfaces convert into geometry with the Unified Skin options. From there, you can then sculpt and paint with the full brush toolset in ZBrush. ![Image: 2024-4-tool-palette-zsphere-settings-zsketch.png](https://help.maxon.net/zbp/en-us/Content/Resources/Images/2024-4-tool-palette-zsphere-settings-zsketch.png) ## Edit Sketch Tap to toggle the ZSketch feature. Drag across a ZSphere armature to add ZSketch surfaces. Each stroke draws a unique shell that can be edited independently of other applied surfaces. ![Image: 2024-4-tool-palette-zsphere-settings-zsketch-editSketch.png](https://help.maxon.net/zbp/en-us/Content/Resources/Images/2024-4-tool-palette-zsphere-settings-zsketch-editSketch.png) > **Note:** Above, we show elect ZSketch brush types in the bottom bar, ready to apply. ## Show Sketch Toggle **ShowSketch** active when **EditSketch** is disabled. This offers ability to see your ZSketch surface in Transparency mode, which reveals underlying surfaces. ![Image: 2024-4-tool-palette-zsphere-settings-zsketch-ShowSketch.png](https://help.maxon.net/zbp/en-us/Content/Resources/Images/2024-4-tool-palette-zsphere-settings-zsketch-ShowSketch.png) > **Note:** To view ZSketch results, tap **Preview** in **Unified Skin**. If satisfied with the results, tap **Make Unified Skin** to create a sculpt-ready mesh.