Selecting a mask in ZBrush involves a few straightforward steps using your mouse and keyboard. Masks are used to isolate areas of your model for targeted sculpting and editing.
Methods for Masking in ZBrush
Here’s how you can select and manipulate masks in ZBrush:
Basic Masking
- Hold Ctrl: To create a mask, hold down the Ctrl key and drag your cursor over the area you want to mask on your 3D model. The masked area will be visually represented differently, often with a darker overlay.
- Clear the Selection: To clear an entire mask hold Ctrl and drag on the empty canvas.
Refining Masks
- Sharpen a Mask: According to the reference video, if you want to sharpen your mask, hold Ctrl and Alt before left-clicking on the masked area. This will refine the edges of the mask making them more precise.
- Invert a Mask: To invert a mask, hold Ctrl and click on any empty area on the canvas. This will switch the masked area to be unmasked and vice versa.
Masking Tips and Tricks
- Different Brushes: You can use different brushes while holding Ctrl to achieve varied masking effects.
- Masking Curves: Use masking curves by holding ctrl and using the curve brush options.
- Masking by Visibility: You can mask all the visible parts of a Subtool or only the hidden parts.
| Action | Keys | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Create a mask | Ctrl + Drag | Mask out the area you drag over. |
| Clear the mask | Ctrl + Drag on empty canvas | Removes the entire mask from your model. |
| Sharpen a mask | Ctrl + Alt + Left Click on Masked Area | Refines the edge of an existing mask. |
| Invert a mask | Ctrl + Click on empty canvas | Changes the masked area to unmasked, and vice-versa. |
By using a combination of Ctrl, Alt, and mouse clicks you can effectively select, refine and clear masks in ZBrush.
