ZBrush Alpha Library?

daniellooartist

Hello. I've been using ZBrush for awhile now and I've noticed I'm always making new alphas every project. I can't imagine everyone does this. I have downloaded a few alpha batches from the net but they have very few good ones for surface detailing. I also realized the alphas we use in ZBrush can also be used in substance painter. What would you guys recommend for an alpha library?

ysalex

>I can't imagine everyone does this.

I think most people do, unless they have an alpha for everything already, which most don't.

>what would you recommend for an alpha library.

A folder, where you save your alphas. Some of then named appropriately, and a couple named asdf01.pad or jdjdjd1122.jpg, to keep from making things too easy.

daniellooartist

I think it's worth mentioning that I found an alpha library with 600 alphas. Sounds neat right? The issue is that it's on CGPeers and I'm not going to link to it for obvious reasons. I'm not sure if this library comes from a different source or if this is some random guys' collection. Believe me I've been looking hard for the original source. Artist are not free labor and given the opportunity I would love to pay the individual for their hard work instead of stealing it but I just wouldn't know who that would be.

If I couldn't find the source should I just bite the bullet and download it?

In the future I'll be sure to share any alpha library I build up with the community at large.

Eric Chadwick

The trouble with downloading random textures off the web is you don't know what copyright restrictions there might be. Better safe than sorry, I always say. Don't use something in your work unless you're sure you won't get slammed for it later. Don't want your client to get a DMCA notice about your work!