ZBrush Tip: Surface-Snapped Tube Modeling with CurveTubeSnap

CurveTubeSnap is a fast, flexible way to build tubes, cables, veins, piping, straps, and other elongated forms directly against a model’s surface. Unlike a standard tube curve, this brush keeps the generated geometry snapped to the underlying mesh, making it especially useful for details that must follow complex contours.

Select CurveTubeSnap from the Brush palette, then click and drag across the target surface. ZBrush creates a curve and generates tubular geometry along it. The stroke remains editable until you click elsewhere on the model or create another curve.

• Set the size first: Draw Size determines the tube’s initial diameter. Choose a size close to the final result before drawing, although the curve can still be adjusted afterward.
• Draw in a controlled view: Rotate the model so the intended path is clearly visible. The curve snaps to geometry under the cursor, so an unobstructed angle helps prevent accidental jumps to nearby forms.
• Edit before committing: Drag any part of the active curve to reposition it. The tube updates interactively while remaining attached to the surface.
• Change the entire profile: Adjust Draw Size, then click directly on the active curve to update its thickness. Depending on the brush settings, the new size may affect the complete tube or the edited section.
• Smooth the path: Hold Shift and drag over the curve to relax uneven bends. Use short passes so the curve does not drift away from the intended design.

For clean results, avoid drawing one long, complicated stroke immediately. Build the path with a confident motion, then refine its silhouette from several viewing angles. CurveTubeSnap follows the visible surface, but a curve that looks correct from the front may appear uneven from the side.

Useful workflow:

1. Duplicate the working SubTool or save a version before adding curves.
2. Set an appropriate brush size and draw the main tube.
3. Refine the active curve by dragging and smoothing it.
4. Click away from the curve to commit the geometry.
5. Use Move Topological, Inflate, or hPolish for localized cleanup.
6. Separate the tube into its own Polygroup or SubTool when independent editing is required.

If the tube intersects the surface too deeply, reduce its diameter or move the curve slightly before committing. If it floats above the model, inspect the path from a side view and reposition the affected section. Turning on PolyFrame can also help reveal stretching, twisting, or uneven polygon distribution.

CurveTubeSnap is particularly effective for:

• Mechanical cables and hydraulic hoses
• Decorative borders on armor or clothing
• Raised veins, tendons, and organic ridges
• Creature whiskers, horns, and surface growths
• Guide forms that will later be remeshed or converted into cleaner topology

For repeated elements, save a customized version of the brush after adjusting its curve and stroke properties. Consistent presets make it easier to maintain matching tube diameters across a project. Artists evaluating or upgrading their sculpting workflow can explore ZBrush licensing and related professional tools through NOVEDGE, while additional hardware and workflow solutions are available from the NOVEDGE professional software store.

You can find all the ZBrush products on the NOVEDGE web site at this page.