ZBrushCentral

Anyone know about the (Phantom Omni) / (Free Form Device)

Community
#1

Hey all again,

This is something I have been thinking about since seeing Z-Brush. And now after getting the feel of ZB I’m going nuts here. If you are familiar with haptics technology and a input device called (Free Form) or the version I use from Sensible technologies called the Phantom Omni. For you that don’t know what it is. It is a full 6 axis 3-D input sculpting arm device. Check it out at http://www.sensable.com

The device allows you to work in a 3-D environment like no other thing you have seen. The cool part is that when you are sculpting with the system you actually feel the 3-D model itself with the stylus. When you push or pull the digital clay around the arm gives you feed back and you feel resistance based on the digital clays hardness as well as all the surface detail. It is truly amazing and brings 3-D design to a new level.

OK think about this, instead of using a digital tablet our mouse, interface the Phamtom with z-Brush. BAM!!! VERY cool! I spoke to Jamie Labelle (Pixologic General Mnger) several weeks ago when I met him at a seminar for ZB. He says depending on general interest and potential sales there may be a possibility to interface the hardware with ZB.

Anyways I’m just looking for input on this and any possible support might help make this happen. I feel this could be a true revolution in 3-D design.

Any input?

Thanks

Bill B

#2

Who knows, maybe the next challenger of the graphic tablett :wink:
A real revolution when the pen will be entierely free from the base!
That yet exist but some expansive :rolleyes:
Pilou

#3

I would buy it in a heart beat.:+1: :+1: It’s been awhile since I’ve used a Phantom, does it still “feel” like rubbing two rubber balls together? :laughing:

#4

sirquadalot, Man you have know Idea, it is SO cool. As of the last 3 months I think since siggraph in august they were selling this thing for 800 bones with an sdk kit. They are trying to get developers to come up with new software to go with the hardware. Check it out they may still be running the deal.

You feel the entire model when sculpting. If this was integrated into ZB F man skys the limit.

#5

Thats a good deal. Several years ago when I was using FreeForm, with a Phantom, the best way I could describe the actual feedback sensation I recieved well sculpting the model felt as though the model had a surface made of a smooth rubber, as did the tools with which you sculpted. Ala…rubbing two rubber balls together. How would you describe the sensation from the Omni? On occasion the Phantom would attack me if it did not like how I was sculpting with it. OK I’m over exaggerating…but sometimes if you are carving out or punching a hole, it would sorta get stuck and the arm would “kick” have you had any experience like this? Keep in mind the first time I used the Phantom was in 2000. It’s been some time though, and I’m curious on how they have improved it. Have a good one.:+1:

#6

I would say that’s about right. The kicking is a result of the tool snapping in and out of a tight area based on the tool size. Over all your description is about the same “I guess” but once you get the hang of it is really a cool feel. By trade I am a sculptor and model maker, I work in toys and I also worked in film “special make up effects for 14 years” So when I started using computers for creation about 5 years ago, even though I was amazed at what you could do in modelers, I am freaking out about the phantom. It truly is the closest think yet to real physical sculpting. BUT Z-Brush is by far way better as far as tool set goes. So brining them together would be way cool.

#7

I was just curious. It would be awesome to use haptics with ZB.:+1:

#8

I don’t think it’ll ever challenge the tablet, simply because 2D art tools are so much more prevalent than 3D ones. The technical skills needed to run Photoshop are so much less than ZBrush (proportional to how much more ZBrush can do). So, there’s a consumer market for tablets, where haptic sculpting devices will always be a professional’s luxury. A dramatic price reduction would help change that, but it’s still an uphill battle even from there.

I don’t expect enough of ZBrush’s user base will have the money to back up their interest, if they are indeed interested. (Having tried the Phantom Omni at Siggraph, I’m actually happier working with my tablet) But, there is enough combined interest in seeing ZBrush’s SDK released. Which would pretty much solve your problem.

From there, it’s up to the hardware manufacturer to write their own drivers if they want to draw in the community at large. And that’s how it should be, really.

Let Pixologic continue to write great software – creating a market for someone else’s product is not their concern.

#9

I have used the phantom omni device and I thought it was fantastic, it really is as good as it sounds. unfortunately as far as i am aware there is no apple mac software to run it. One of the few down sides to using macs. Does anyone know if there has been any developments on zbrush or maya drivers.

#10

I’d have to guess not a huge amount of development for any platform as the post previous to yours was from 2004. It’s a pity, as a device like this could be incredible with Z-Brush.
I’m holding some hope for the Novint Falcon. But not very much.
Still, I never thought I’d own a 3D Connexion device, and then they release the Space Navigator for about £45. Bloody fantastic it is.
So combine the Space Navigator with a Wacom, and you have the Noving Falcon. In theory. Who knows in practice.
Still, it’d be very, very cool woth ZBrush.

Simon

#11

Nothing on the ZBrush side. I thought the Phantom Omni came with some rudimentary driver support for Max and Maya? I’m nearly positive Max was part of their Siggraph demo (the past five or six years running).

Yeah, ten seconds on google confirmed that one:
http://www.sensable.com/claytools-faq.htm

Meanwhile, both Max and Maya have open SDKs (along with the Omni itself), so if Sensable hadn’t bridged this gap, you know someone else would have.

Again, we will have haptic drivers for ZBrush, just as soon as developers are given the ability to write them. No SDK = no opportunity for that.