ZBrush Tip: ZBrush Scale Master workflow for consistent exports

Scale mismatches can derail an otherwise clean pipeline. Here’s a reliable way to keep ZBrush assets at real-world size and convert cleanly between DCCs and game engines.

Set a ground truth inside ZBrush

• Use Zplugin → Scale Master to define scene units and exact dimensions. Pick your unit (mm/cm/in), enter a known measurement, and click to resize the active SubTool or all SubTools consistently.
• Verify in Tool → Geometry → Size. XYZ Size shows the bounding box. Compare against your target measurement to confirm.
• Avoid Deformation → Unify for production finalization. Unify is great for bringing assets into a sculpt-friendly size, but you must rescale back using Scale Master before export.

Lock scale for export

• Store/export scale with Scale Master so every SubTool leaves ZBrush at the exact same real-world scale.
• For OBJ: Units aren’t embedded. Keep a written note of your scale and apply it on import in the destination DCC.
• For FBX: Use Zplugin → FBX ExportImport and set a Scale Factor that matches your target environment (details below).

Common targets and safe settings

• Unreal Engine (centimeters):
  • Keep your ZBrush scene in centimeters via Scale Master.
  • FBX Scale Factor = 1.0. In Unreal, Import Uniform Scale = 1.0.
• Unity (meters by default):
  • If your ZBrush scene is in centimeters, export FBX with Scale Factor = 0.01, or set Import Scale = 0.01 in Unity.
  • Check that the object measures correctly using a known reference (e.g., a 1 m cube).
• Blender (meters by default):
  • Option A: Keep Blender in meters; export FBX from ZBrush with Scale Factor = 0.01.
  • Option B: In Blender, set Unit Scale to 0.01 to work in centimeters; then import at scale 1.0.
  • Always Apply Scale (Ctrl+A) after import to avoid downstream surprises.
• Maya (centimeters by default):
  • Work in centimeters to match ZBrush via Scale Master.
  • FBX Scale Factor = 1.0; confirm Maya’s Working Units = cm before import.

3D printing checks

• Use Zplugin → 3D Print Hub to set the desired output units and dimensions, then Update Size and export STL/OBJ.
• Wall thickness and tolerances depend on scale—validate after setting real units.

Displacement and normal map consistency

• Displacement intensity depends on consistent scale. Keep the same scene scale when baking and rendering.
• For 32-bit displacement: note Tool → Displacement Map → Scale/Mid and match renderer settings accordingly.

Pro tip: round-trip test

• Create a 100 mm calibration cube in ZBrush with Scale Master, export to your DCC/engine, verify size, then import back. Once this round-trip is correct, lock those settings for the project.

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