ZBrush Tip: IMM Brush Workflow for Rapid Kitbashing

Turbocharge your kitbashing and detailing workflow with Insert Multi Mesh (IMM) brushes. They let you stamp ready-made parts directly onto your surface—perfect for fast ideation, repeatable components, and consistent scale across a project.

Why IMM is a production staple

• Consistency: Reuse proven parts across assets for coherent design language.
• Speed: Insert complex components in a single stroke—no file browsing or imports.
• Flexibility: Scale, rotate, and align to any surface normal without breaking flow.

Getting started quickly

• Open the Brush palette, filter by “Insert” or press B then I to access IMM brushes (e.g., IMM Primitives, IMM ModelKit).
• Press M to open the IMM part picker for the current brush.
• Set Draw Size to control the inserted part’s initial scale; click-drag on the mesh to insert aligned to the surface normal.
• Use X symmetry when placing mirrored components like bolts or greebles.

Precision and control before you release the stroke

• Drag out the part; adjust the drag length for scale and the cursor angle for rotation.
• If the part appears embedded or floating, adjust Draw Size and try a flatter surface area or relax the target with Smooth.
• Brush > Modifiers: enable Auto Weld and Weld Points to avoid micro gaps when parts meet.

Curve-based IMM for cables, chains, and trims

• Choose an IMM Curve brush (e.g., chains, cables) and set Stroke > Curve Mode on.
• Use Tri Parts for clean end caps and a repeating midsection. Ensure your source mesh has three polygroups (start/mid/end).
• Dial in spacing with Stroke > Curve Step; increase for discrete links, decrease for continuous hoses.
• Toggle Snap and Lock Start/End in Stroke > Curve to keep terminations clean during edits.

Create your own IMM libraries

• Prepare clean, watertight source meshes (Make Polymesh3D). Assign logical Polygroups for flexibility.
• Select a SubTool and go to Brush > Create InsertMesh > New to make a single-part brush.
• For multi-part sets, use Brush > Create InsertMultiMesh to append additional SubTools to the same brush.
• Save your brush to a custom startup location so it auto-loads with your workspace.

Non-destructive placement and cleanup

• Inserted parts are fused into the active SubTool. Use Tool > SubTool > Split Unmasked Points to separate them if needed.
• For boolean-style assemblies, keep parts as separate SubTools and enable Live Boolean; finalize with Make Boolean Mesh.
• After kitbashing, use ZRemesher or Dynamesh to unify topology only when necessary, preserving crisp edges where needed.
• Decimate high-density insert sets before export to keep scenes responsive.

Production checklist

• Keep IMM assets low-poly with clear Polygroups.
• Use Tri Parts for scalable trims and cables.
• Weld points when parts should be continuous; split when they should stay modular.
• Save curated IMM packs and assign hotkeys to your most-used brushes.

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