How to Project Sculpt Detail Onto a Retopologized Mesh in ZBrush

After retopology and UVs, the next challenge is getting your high-poly sculpt detail back—without breaking your clean mesh.

In this video, I walk through the process of bringing a retopologized, UV-mapped mesh back into ZBrush and using detail projection to transfer sculpted information from the original high-resolution model onto the new production-ready mesh.

This step requires precision and planning. Done correctly, you keep your clean topology and your sculpted detail.

In this video, you’ll learn:

How to re-import a retopologized, UVed mesh into ZBrush

Setting up meshes correctly for projection

Using ZBrush projection tools safely

Avoiding common projection artifacts and errors

Preparing the mesh for baking and texturing

This workflow follows real game and film production pipelines, ensuring your mesh stays clean, predictable, and ready for downstream steps.

This lesson is part of my Mastering Human Anatomy for 3D Artists course, where we take a character from sculpt through retopology, UVs, projection, and final texturing.

👉 Full course here:
https://www.udemy.com/course/masterin...

Who this video is for:

Artists transitioning from sculpt to production meshes

Students confused about projection workflows

Anyone who’s lost detail after retopology

Game and film artists preparing meshes for baking

Projection is where sculpting meets production — and mistakes here are expensive.