3D Toolkit - Vector Displacement Mesh (03/02/25)

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Creating Alpha Textures

  • Find a texture and save it (Can use sites like pexels)
  • Create a 500 x pixel, 150 dpi, black background canvas
  • Make sure it's black and white (Image > Adjustments > Black + White)
  • You can increase the contrast by adjusting levels (Image > Adjustments)
  • Make sure the black and white definition is clear
  • To create a gradient, add a layer mask and use a soft brush to create a white gradient in the centre, make sure there is no harsh edges
  • Save it as a psd so you can make changes later
  • To export it into ZBrush, save it as a png or tiff file.
  • Go into ZBrush, the project needs to be 2 mil or more polys. To do this look at the ActivePoints in the top right. To increase this go to the Geometry tab and press divide.
  • make sure to have the standard brush selected and make sure the stroke is DragRect
  • Import that Alpha 

This a screenshot of the tool tray to remind myself where to add the Alpha.



I used a wool texture I found on pexel and I increased the contrast to make it noticeable. Below is a screenshot of the brush in ZBrush. I used the basic male head in the lightbox for this exercise.



Vector Displacement Mesh

Alpha textures aren't good at adding big objects such as eyes. For this we will use the Vector displacement mesh. 



Reference List

Kaboompics.com, 2021. A close up shot of white fabric [online image]. pexels. Available at: https://www.pexels.com/photo/a-close-up-shot-of-white-fabric-6634461/ [Accessed February 03 2025]

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