VDMs and Alphas

Alphas -

Alphas allow you to add details to your model [basic method], good for repeating forms like scales or skin textures

Open Photoshop

Go to Pexels.com and find some textures, we will be using metal, brick or rock textures, avoid decals

Can also use textures.com

https://www.pexels.com/photo/tree-2931290/

https://www.pexels.com/photo/brown-and-grey-concrete-brick-wall-1054020/ 

First, Set up a new Photoshop Square document. These are the changes you need to make: cm to pixels, 500 x 500, set pixels/inch, resolution 150, Change background to black.

Open the image you want to make into an alpha and drag and drop into your square canvas, adjust as needed

Colour images won't work so we will need to make our image in black and white, there are several ways we can do this. We can change the mode to a greyscale document, go to image and select under the adjustments tab black and white. Or non destructively you can make an adjustments level, you ca do this under the adjustments tab, just below the colour wheel. By doing this you can also adjust the exact amounts of black and white levels in your image.

Click layer mask and fill with black paint [use X to switch colours easily] you can also use the gradient tool. use the brush to remove the centre of the black mask

Save as both a .psd and a .png file [ You can also save as a .TIF ], z brush can only read .png or .TIF files but it is useful to save as a .psd so that you can edit this document in the future.

Open something on Z brush and make sure you increase your poly count to above 2 million.

Use the divide tool to add in more polygons and use Shift-F to view the mesh. Go to the alpha tab, then press import, and bring in your .TIF file.

Using the brick alpha on a high intensity I was able to make the fur of the dog look like a poodle.

Vector Displacement Maps -

Vector displacement mesh [VDM] adds more details that alphas as it uses more information, Ears, eyes, lips. You can download VDM packs from other artists who have modelled these elements. VDMs are great for Kitbashing.

VDMs are their own brush rather than just clipping onto the brush you're already using.

Tool- Image plane - Poly plane

Increase poly count to roughly 250,000 polygons.

Create a masked area in the centre of the plane, pressing control and clicking in the centre of your masked area to create an airbrushed edge. From here, sculpt something within the masked area, i decided to sculpt an animal snout. Once i was happy with it, i removed the masked area.

From here, click on the brush tab,  Create, then Create multialpha Brush. You can use the draw rect option to place in your VDM easier.

Here is a monkey head i made using the snout i modelled and the brick brush alpha