Masking in ZBrush
Protect areas of the mesh and extract shapes
Also known as: ZBrush mask · ZBrush Ctrl mask · ZBrush Extract · ZBrush blur mask · ZBrush invert mask · ZBrush masking
Definition
Masking in ZBrush protects parts of a mesh from being changed, so the area you are sculpting stays separate from the rest. Hold Ctrl and drag to paint a mask, Ctrl-click on empty canvas to invert it, and Ctrl-click on a masked edge to blur or sharpen it. Masked areas appear dark. The same mask can be used to transform a part, to hide it, or to Extract it into a new SubTool, which is how clothing and armor shells are often made.
In production
Use soft masks for smooth transitions and sharp ones for crisp panels, and combine masks with polygroups for precise selections. Extract creates a thickened shell from the masked area, which you can then refine, and Accept makes it a new SubTool. Clear a mask with Ctrl+Shift-click or from the Masking menu. If a brush seems to do nothing, a mask may still be covering the area.
