Chapter 12
In this chapter, we move beyond digital sculpting for art’s sake and explore how ZBrush becomes an indispensable tool for transforming real-world data into production-ready assets. Whether you're working with photogrammetry or LiDAR scans, you'll learn how to clean up messy raw data, enhance geometry, and bring scanned objects to life with the same level of polish and intentionality you’d expect in a professional pipeline. From archaeology to fine art restoration, we’ll demonstrate how ZBrush bridges the gap between physical and digital realities.
You’ll also uncover practical workflows for turning negative molds into positives, working with damaged or incomplete forms, and preparing scans for 3D printing, visualization, or virtual staging. This chapter isn’t just about fixing scans, it’s about creatively reimagining them. Whether you’re restoring a sculpture, designing a digital twin, or preparing a piece for presentation, ZBrush empowers you to turn the imperfect into the extraordinary.
Ryan Darling
Chapter 12 – Rough to Refined
Chapter Overview
Incorporating 3D scans into ZBrush: photogrammetry, LiDAR, and scanning techniques
Importing and preparing scan data: cleaning, aligning, and decimating for usability
Understanding positive vs. negative space in scan restoration workflows
Refining scans in ZBrush for high-quality output: projection, resculpting, and detailing
Applications in fine art, restoration, archaeology, and industrial design
Case studies: from raw scan to polished digital asset
Techniques for optimizing scans for 3D printing or digital preservation
Practical advice for bridging physical and digital workflows
Tips for creating reusable scan-based assets for future projects
This chapter shows how ZBrush can transform raw real-world data into refined, professional results. Whether you're restoring classical sculpture, preparing scans for print, or building asset libraries from life, this is where the physical world meets the digital sculpting process. By the end, you'll see how ZBrush becomes a powerful partner in projects far beyond the screen.
