Practical tips and tutorials from pro artists to improve your CG skills
SOFTWARE: ZBRUSH
Before we dive into ZBrush, let’s talk about what a Boolean is in other programs. A Boolean function refers to a set of operations or algorithms (the math or code) used to manipulate or combine 3D shapes or objects. Basically, a Boolean operation is the code that allows you to combine, intersect or subtract geometry from other geometry.
There are three primary Boolean operations used in 3D modelling. The Union operation combines two or more objects to create a single object that encompasses the space occupied by all the original objects.
The Intersection operation creates a new object from the overlapping regions of two or more objects. It represents the common area shared by all the original objects. Finally, the Subtraction operation is used to cut or remove one object from another. It’s often employed to create voids or subtract areas in models.
Boolean functions in 3D modelling software are typically used to perform these operations, allowing modellers to create complex shapes and structures by combining or altering simple geometric primitives or existing models. Booleans are often used in CAD and frowned upon by polygonal modellers because the geometry that’s left is often a mess in terms of its topology. If you then apply that thought process to digital sculpting, where we spend a lot of time not really bothered about the topology, then it becomes a useful set of tools.
It’s an easy process to use Booleans in ZBrush, but the big point of note is that they are live, meaning you’re not committing to the operation right away. As a result, you can tweak the end result for as long as you need to. This makes it useful for preparing models for 3D printing. Let’s say you have a creature sculpt that’s too big for the printer you own, you can split it down using Live Booleans and even add registration keys to help join t
