Do I need previous experience with ZBrush?

Basic 3D modeling experience is recommended, but prior knowledge of ZBrush is not required. The workshop begins with the fundamentals before progressing to advanced hybrid modeling techniques.

Will I learn how to combine ZBrush with Rhino and Illustrator?

Yes. You'll learn a complete hybrid workflow, including translating 2D drawings from Adobe Illustrator into ZBrush, refining geometries, and further developing them in Rhinoceros 3D.

What type of projects will I create during the workshop?

Participants will create complex hard-surface models for use in architectural elements, digital fabrication, product design, visualization, and experimental design research.

Which ZBrush tools will I learn to use?

The workshop covers essential tools including ZModeler, Live Booleans, NanoMesh, array systems, masking, extraction techniques, and workflows for creating detailed hard-surface geometries.

Can I apply these workflows to architectural design projects?

Yes. The techniques taught in the workshop are applicable to architectural modeling, conceptual design, visualization, digital fabrication, and experimental design.

What is ZBrush used for in architecture and design?

ZBrush is used in architecture and design for high-resolution 3D form-making, hard-surface modeling, and the creation of complex geometry for fabrication and visualization. Tools like ZModeler, Live Booleans, and NanoMesh allow designers to develop intricate architectural artifacts, research prototypes, and VFX-oriented spatial elements with precise control over surface detail.

What does the Hybrid Modeling with ZBrush workshop cover?

The workshop covers ZBrush interface fundamentals, hard-surface modeling with ZModeler and Live Booleans, NanoMesh and array systems, translating 2D Illustrator drawings into 3D geometries, spatial development in Rhinoceros 3D, and model optimization for rendering and 3D printing. The two-day program moves from foundations and hybrid setup to full geometry development and output preparation.

What level is the Hybrid Modeling with ZBrush workshop?

The workshop is aimed at designers and architects who want to expand into sculptural and hard-surface digital workflows. While no extensive ZBrush background is required, familiarity with 3D modeling concepts and basic software environments is beneficial for keeping pace with the two-day intensive format.

What will I produce by the end of the Hybrid Modeling workshop?

Participants leave with a complete set of high-resolution 3D artifacts developed through hybrid workflows across ZBrush, Rhino, and Illustrator, from initial 2D concept to an optimized 3D model ready for rendering or physical 3D printing.

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Jul 11-12, 20269 lessonsBeginner

Architectural DesignFREE with Full AccessWorkshopJul 11-12, 2026Beginner9 lessons6h 44m

Hybrid Modeling with ZBrush

Name: Hybrid Modeling with ZBrush
Price: 85.00 EUR
Availability: InStock
Rating: 5.00 (1 reviews)

Hybrid Modeling with ZBrush is a two-day workshop on PAACADEMY that teaches complex 3D form-making through hybrid workflows across ZBrush, Rhinoceros 3D, and Adobe Illustrator. Participants learn hard-surface modeling using ZModeler, Live Booleans, and NanoMesh, then translate 2D drawings into 3D geometries refined in Rhino. The workshop concludes with a complete set of optimized 3D artifacts ready for rendering or 3D printing.

Learn from Saba Mahdavi

Instructor

Saba Mahdavi1 course

This workshop explores hybrid digital modeling workflows by integrating sculptural, parametric, and hard-surface design techniques. Centered around ZBrush as the primary tool, participants will develop intricate high-resolution geometries by bridging multiple software environments, including Adobe Illustrator and Rhinoceros 3D.

The workshop focuses on constructing complex forms that operate across multiple scales, from detailed architectural artifacts and research prototypes to immersive virtual environments and VFX-oriented spatial designs.

Through a combination of subdivision modeling, extraction strategies, Boolean operations, and 2D-to-3D translation techniques, participants will learn how to develop precise yet experimental workflows for contemporary digital fabrication and visualization.

By hybridizing workflows between software platforms, the workshop encourages a design methodology that merges artistic intuition with technical control, enabling participants to produce highly detailed and adaptable digital forms.

Introduction to the ZBrush interface and workflow
Hard-surface modeling using ZModeler and Live Booleans
Using NanoMesh, Snapshot, and array systems
Translating 2D drawings into 3D geometries
Hybrid workflows between ZBrush, Illustrator, and Rhino
Refining models for rendering and 3D printing

Adobe Illustrator

Rhinoceros 3D

ZBrush

In this workshop, participants will develop a hands-on workflow for creating complex hard surface geometries using ZBrush Pixologic tools such as ZModeler, Live Booleans, NanoMesh, and array operations.

By the end of the first session, you will be able to construct detailed, high-resolution 3D forms ready for prototyping. This workshop will cover how to convert 2D patterns into 3D geometries and modify them in Rhinoceros, creating spatial forms and architectural elements.

Participants will leave the workshop with a complete set of artifacts and tools, from concept to an optimized 3D model, ready for rendering or 3D printing.

Program:

Day 01 — Foundations & Hybrid Setup

Introduction to the workshop concept and workflow
Overview of ZBrush interface and core principles
Hard-surface modeling techniques using ZModeler, Live Booleans, and NanoMesh
Establishing a hybrid workflow between tools and design methods

Day 02 — Hybrid Geometry & Spatial Development

Translating 2D drawings into 3D geometries
Spatial development and refinement in Rhinoceros 3D
Hybridizing and modifying geometries across platforms
Optimization and output preparation for rendering and 3D printing

9 Lessons6h 44m

Instructor

Saba Mahdavi

View profile

5.0instructor rating1course

Saba Mahdavi is an architect based in Vienna, working as a Designer at Coop Himmelb(l)au. She studied architecture at the Angewandte and completed an exchange program at SCI-Arc, where she expanded her engagement with experimental and speculative design approaches. She gained professional experience at Mark Foster Gage Architects in New York, a formative period that significantly shaped her intellectual and design methodology. Alongside her professional practice, she engages with international platforms, with her work recently presented at the Taipei Biennial 2025.

5.011

5.0avg1 Rating

1 Review

Walter Patrick SmithJul 13, 20265.0

Hybrid Modeling with ZBrush was an excellent workshop and a perfect fit for the PAACADEMY community. Saba Mahdavi demonstrated an impressive depth of knowledge while explaining each step with clear, easy-to-follow logic. I was especially surprised by how simple and useful the workflow from Illustrator to Rhino was, and how easily the same approach could be replicated and expanded through Grasshopper. The workshop made complex hybrid modeling techniques feel practical, accessible, and immediately applicable to architectural design, visualization, and digital fabrication.

Walter Patrick Smith

Jul 13, 2026

Regular Price

Save €15.00

€85.00€100.00

Pay less with membership

Pro Membership€68.00Save €17.00 on this course Full Access€0.00Plus every other course

Jul 11-12, 20269 lessonsBeginner

Architectural DesignFREE with Full AccessWorkshopJul 11-12, 2026Beginner9 lessons6h 44m

Hybrid Modeling with ZBrush

Learn from Saba Mahdavi

Instructor

Saba Mahdavi1 course

Introduction to the ZBrush interface and workflow
Hard-surface modeling using ZModeler and Live Booleans
Using NanoMesh, Snapshot, and array systems
Translating 2D drawings into 3D geometries
Hybrid workflows between ZBrush, Illustrator, and Rhino
Refining models for rendering and 3D printing

Adobe Illustrator

Rhinoceros 3D

ZBrush

Program:

Day 01 — Foundations & Hybrid Setup

Introduction to the workshop concept and workflow
Overview of ZBrush interface and core principles
Hard-surface modeling techniques using ZModeler, Live Booleans, and NanoMesh
Establishing a hybrid workflow between tools and design methods

Day 02 — Hybrid Geometry & Spatial Development

Translating 2D drawings into 3D geometries
Spatial development and refinement in Rhinoceros 3D
Hybridizing and modifying geometries across platforms
Optimization and output preparation for rendering and 3D printing

9 Lessons6h 44m

Instructor

Saba Mahdavi

View profile

5.0instructor rating1course

5.011

5.0avg1 Rating

1 Review

Walter Patrick SmithJul 13, 20265.0

Walter Patrick Smith

Jul 13, 2026

Regular Price

Save €15.00

€85.00€100.00

Pay less with membership

Pro Membership€68.00Save €17.00 on this course Full Access€0.00Plus every other course

Hybrid Modeling with ZBrush

Program:

Session 1

Session 2

Saba Mahdavi

Do I need previous experience with ZBrush?

Will I learn how to combine ZBrush with Rhino and Illustrator?

What type of projects will I create during the workshop?

Which ZBrush tools will I learn to use?

Can I apply these workflows to architectural design projects?

What is ZBrush used for in architecture and design?

What does the Hybrid Modeling with ZBrush workshop cover?

What level is the Hybrid Modeling with ZBrush workshop?

What will I produce by the end of the Hybrid Modeling workshop?

Hybrid Modeling with ZBrush

Program:

Session 1

Session 2

Saba Mahdavi

Do I need previous experience with ZBrush?

Will I learn how to combine ZBrush with Rhino and Illustrator?

What type of projects will I create during the workshop?

Which ZBrush tools will I learn to use?

Can I apply these workflows to architectural design projects?

What is ZBrush used for in architecture and design?

What does the Hybrid Modeling with ZBrush workshop cover?

What level is the Hybrid Modeling with ZBrush workshop?

What will I produce by the end of the Hybrid Modeling workshop?