ZBrush has a unique notion of geometry transform which acts more like a camera transform. All geometry (tools) are placed in the canvas space of a document with a fixed camera. And when the user pans, rotates, or zooms the view, it is actually the geometry which is transformed in the canvas in relation to the fixed camera. So, while what the geometry (tool) is formally transformed, the user will experience it as a camera transform.

To get or set the transform of a sub-tool in relation to its tool, i.e., an ‘actual’ geometry transform, one must use the item paths “Tool:Geometry:X/Y/Z Postion” as shown in the example mod_subtool_array.py. One can also get and set the transpose brush coordinate systems with functions such as zbrush.commands.get_transpose.