ZBrushCentral

Doubts about 3d coat and zbrush

ZBrush Usage Questions
#1

Hello

I’m interested in buying zbrush, but I have fear about spending 800 eur and not being able to work properly with the program. I say that because I checked out 3D Coat first, being it cheaper, and after some time with the free trial I don’t like it very much. I tried Sculptris before 3d coat, and I could sculpt a pair of humans nicely after some time, I liked the responsivenes of the brushes. I tried the Blender sculpt tool, and I can’t go over 500.000 polys with it without being almost imposible to sculpt. Also, the brushes don’t feel very responsive. With 3d coat I had the same problem, and I have fear that the same would happen with Zbrush after spending all that money. I have read that zbrush sculpting is different from Sculptris, more tecnical and precise, also that it UI is very difficult to learn.

About the UI, I have read the same about Blender UI, and it was hard for me to get along with it, but after some tutorials and a couple of days I was working with Blender without problems, so maybe the Zbrush UI isn’t that much of a problem for me, and if in the sculpting department it is more precise than Sculptris I would be fine, because I can sculpt things in Sculptris, although I had problems with detailed areas, like the hands, face and feet.

So what do you people think? Is Zbrush more precise than Sculptris? Someone more have had problems with 3D coat but not with Zbrush?

#2

Sculptris is just a Zbrush teaser and actually very different in alot of ways ! i started learning ZB 1.23 like 99" so its hard
to remember the learning curve watching the program evolve ! my opinion get and learn ZB plus there is many clever people
here on ZBC that you can learn from and ask questions - good luck !!

#3

I started off with Sculptris (and had used Blender’s sculpting stuff a long time ago, it was a bit better than) and have tried 3D Coat and Blenders new stuff.
Sculptris is wonderful and as a step up I seriously recommend ZBrush, it is very different but in the sense that there is FAR MORE that you can do.
I agree that 3D Coat and Blender do not feel natural in the way that Sculptris does (or at all fun).
ZBrush does feel natural, in fact it can be immensely fun in the same way that Sculptris is.
After using Sculptris and then needing more and getting ZBrush I have found almost nothing that compares to either and I have messed about with a LOT of other tools.
Aside from free things you could make do with ZBrush has the best upgrade and support policies as well, I know of no other company that gives free upgrades or has better support.
Basicly you spend your money once and get something utterly priceless.
So like Gary said:
Do it!

Cheers!
Mealea

#4

I have read that zbrush sculpting is different from Sculptris, more tecnical and precise, also that it UI is very difficult to learn.

Zbrush definitely gives you a lot more control over your sculpt. Sculptris can be considered more of a destructive workflow as it’s nature is to automatically retriangulate the model as you push and pull the vertices around. Zbrush lets you maintain the existing topology of the model, step up and down subdivision levels at will while preserving sculpted detail, and lets you (near-instantly) retopologize the mesh if and when you feel it is needed. It can push a lot of polygons too, even on older computers,

As a result of all the control it gives you the UI can be intimidating at first. That feeling should quickly go away though. I think the initial hurdle is just grasping the concept that in zbrush, you have a model floating on top of a canvas vs other 3d programs where you’re moving a camera in a 3d environment. I think once you have a basic grasp on the document and the tool, things click and the program really opens up. I honestly didn’t like zbrush my first time using it, but now I love it and wish a few other programs would even borrow from some of its UI.

Lastly, while zbrush doesn’t have a trial version any more, there is still a refund policy you might want to look into (I think it might last up to 30 days). If you are considering investing into a program like this, then this could be a good way to give it a spin before making a full committal. Occasionally you can find people selling their licenses too (such as when they switch from a PC to a Mac). You can save a decent amount this way, though it wouldn’t come with the refund policy.

#5

I finally decided to buy Zbrush, and after the initial shock of the weird interface, thanks to various tutorials I’m enjoying it, thanks guys XD

#6

YAY!
Its amazing isn’t it?
It took me a bit to get used to the UI as well and it keeps being added to, don’t worry, you will catch up and it will become second nature.
I can’t wait to see what you make!

Cheers!
Mealea