Published
March 26, 2022

Connecting ZBrush and Marmoset for a quick sketch

In this video, I cover a simple but powerful process to render a quick rough sketch from ZBrush into Marmoset Toolbag 4. To connect ZBrush to Marmoset in a single click I use the ZBrush Compositor plugin

Connecting ZBrush and Marmoset for a quick sketchConnecting ZBrush and Marmoset for a quick sketch
Connecting ZBrush and Marmoset for a quick sketch
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Connecting ZBrush and Marmoset for a quick sketch
Play Icon
Connecting ZBrush and Marmoset for a quick sketch
Play Icon
Connecting ZBrush and Marmoset for a quick sketch
Play Icon
Connecting ZBrush and Marmoset for a quick sketch
Play Icon
Connecting ZBrush and Marmoset for a quick sketch
Play Icon
Connecting ZBrush and Marmoset for a quick sketch
Play Icon
Connecting ZBrush and Marmoset for a quick sketch
Play Icon
Connecting ZBrush and Marmoset for a quick sketch
Play Icon
Connecting ZBrush and Marmoset for a quick sketch
Play Icon
Connecting ZBrush and Marmoset for a quick sketch
Play Icon
Connecting ZBrush and Marmoset for a quick sketch
Play Icon
Connecting ZBrush and Marmoset for a quick sketch
Play Icon
Connecting ZBrush and Marmoset for a quick sketch
Play Icon
Connecting ZBrush and Marmoset for a quick sketch
Play Icon
Connecting ZBrush and Marmoset for a quick sketch
Play Icon

Behind the scenes...

The Compositor plugin renders out a series of passes from ZBrush and then puts them together in Marmoset Toolbag 4 to create the 3D effect. This process can be done manually by rendering the different passes or images one at a time. For instance you can just select the Normal Map material in ZBrush (make sure polypaint is off if you have any) and render it. The resulting image can be used as a normal map in the 'surface' slot from a material in Marmoset:

The same thing goes for any other map that you might need for PBR worflows. You could use the 'Compute' button from the Ambient Occlusion plugin and generate a mask to then render out the AO pass with a shadeless material:

This is just a reference so you have an idea of what the plugin is actually doing, but obviously is a lot faster to click a button and let the plugin do all the setup for you ;)

AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE: This tutorial may contain affiliate links which means if you decide to make a purchase through a link, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.
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Intro to the Compositor plugin

This is a video series introducing you to the ZBrush Compositor plugin to render ZBrush sculpts with Marmoset and/or 3D Painter

Check it out
Intro to the Compositor plugin