Animation using Zspheres?

#1

Hi guys!

I am currently working on a game and I basically need to produce stuff as fast as humanly possible.

I am wondering if there is a way that I can create a base low poly character in Zbrush using Zspheres and then animating the character using the same zspheres rig. I’ve watched some tutorials on Zspheres rigging but it mostly consists of ways to present your models, not actually animating them. Is this a smart way to go about it? Is it even possible to create, say a walk cycle, inside Zbrush? Because I haven’t seen any tutorials etc on the subject.

Why I’m asking this is because I would like to do most work in Zbrush and depend on other programs a little bit less. But maybe (and probably, according to my research) it’s better to rig and animate the characters in Maya, Max or Blender.

What I basically need is to see is the finished low poly character in game AND animated as fast as humanly possible.

Answers and tips are greatly appreciated! :slight_smile:

#2

save your self a head ace
usehttps://www.mixamo.com/
upload your model there and watch them come to life.
some motion files are free and some cost

#3

Zbrush is a resounding no for character animation.

As mentioned, mixamo have an autorigger service that is amazing. The free service is limited to 10,000 tris maximum though.(which is fine depending on your game)

You still have to have an organised mesh(animation-friendly) as opposed to a sculpting mesh. So that means creating suitable topology. You could get a head start using Zremesher.

Or to follow the mixamo route they even have a tool called fuse now, that is a customisable auto-character generator that links up with the autorigger. And there are methods of incorporating your Zbrush projection workflow in conjunction with the Fuse topology for an even more customisable, faster way to get a character into an engine.