ZBrush Tip: Project All: Progressive Projection Workflow

Get clean, predictable results from Project All by controlling scale, visibility, and projection distance—then work subdivision by subdivision.

Preflight checklist

• Align and scale: Place target and source in the same space; if needed, duplicate and use Tool > Deformation > Unify on a copy to normalize scale. Keep a non-unified version for pipeline scale.
• Visibility matters: Only visible SubTools project. Hide eyelashes, tiny greebles, or overlapping parts to reduce artifacts.
• Preparation: Store a Morph Target and add a new Layer on the target. This lets you paint out projection errors with the Morph brush or reduce intensity later.
• Topology density: Subdivide the target so its highest level meets or slightly exceeds the source’s detail density.

Core workflow (progressive projection)

• Start low: At the target’s lowest usable subdivision, run Project All with a conservative Dist (e.g., 0.02–0.2). You’re capturing broad forms, not pores.
• Step up: Subdivide, then Project All again. Repeat per level, nudging Dist upward only as needed. Keep PA Blur modest to avoid softening sharp edges too early.
• Protect thin areas: Mask nostrils, eyelids, lips, and fingers before each pass, then gradually unmask and project again with slightly higher Dist.
• Selective projection: Use polygroups and visibility to project regions in stages (face first, then ears, then accessories).

Dialing in the settings

• Dist (distance): Increase until the surface “catches” the source without overshooting. If you see spikes or through-projecting, reduce Dist and try again.
• PA Blur: Use sparingly to soften harsh transitions; keep it low for hard-surface work to preserve crisp breaks.
• Color transfer: If projecting polypaint, ensure Colorize is enabled; consider doing a separate high-precision pass for color after form is locked.

Troubleshooting fast

• Exploding verts or spikes: Lower Dist, hide nearby subtools that may be “stealing” rays, and slightly inflate or deflate the target so it sits just inside the source before projecting.
• Loss of sharp edges: Project with lower PA Blur, then restore bevels with HPolish/Trim brushes. Keep projection on its own Layer so you can reduce intensity.
• Missed microdetail: Add one more subdivision and do a final, very low Dist pass. For pores, consider alphas/noise after projection to avoid overchasing.
• Local fixes: Switch to the ZProject brush for camera-aligned spot corrections on tricky zones.

Pro moves

• Reproject Higher Subdiv is ideal after remeshing or changing levels—use it in tandem with Project All for resilient pipelines.
• Save incrementally before each major pass. It’s faster to roll back than to unpick artifacts.
• For heavy scenes, decimate non-critical source subtools temporarily to speed projection.

For dependable licensing, upgrades, and team purchasing of ZBrush, check NOVEDGE. If you’re building a studio toolkit, talk to the experts at NOVEDGE for bundle options and deployment advice.