Using Zbrush on Linux

[thinkit]

@wam3d @Spyndel @zber2 @Histone @davidkillerzombies @Salvador_Nunez

Using Python I wrote a small program that will find all ZBrush projects and ZTools in a series of specified paths. Then all those will be added to the recent tab in LightBox.

On my system it will scan through the QuickSave path, my projects path, and the entire ZBrush installation. It finds more than 529 items in less than a second.

If you are using Linux to run Wine ZBrush you might want to try out my little python3 program that make the “Recent” LightBox tab more useful.

The current version was put together in about half a day. If you find it useful it would be interesting to know.

Installation, configuration and usage instructions are provided in the readme file.

ZLightBoxRebuildRecent_v1.02a.zip (2.2 KB)

For those who would like to get started with ZBrush scripts here are two basic examples. One ZScript (as a txt file) will export the current subtool to your QuickSave folder. To try it out first extract the zip file. You could place it in your QuickSave path to test it. Then right click the file and choose to open the txt file with “ZBrush Executable”. The other example will import the file you just exported. It is possible to make or buy more advanced ZScripts. For example using Python it is possible to first generate a ZScript and then execute it.
export_subtool.zip (337 Bytes)
import_obj.zip (348 Bytes)

[Histone]

I have found that ZBrush2021.1.2 / “Liveboolean” and “Make boolean mesh” doesn’t work at all on my Ubuntu 20.04LTS, Lutris with Wine 5.5.

Anyone?

[thinkit]

Here’s a subtract test with a cube and a star. It is also live, i.e. editable. It seems to work because it is possible to subdivide both inputs while retaining the subtraction. Does this not work?

[Histone]

@thinkit, Thanks a lot for your report.

subdividing is ok, The issue is that a process always finishes without subtracted items, with this " Union remeshing in progress…" alert.

[thinkit]

@Histone

The alert “Union remeshing in progress…” takes appx 10 seconds then it is done. It should disappear.

Troubleshooting suggestions:

1. try a lowpoly mesh first
2. check that you applied “Make PolyMesh3D”
3. activate Live Boolean
4. check your settings under Subtools (for example choose subtract)
5. run “Make Boolean Mesh”

If the above does not work maybe there is something else hindering Boolean from working. On my system, for example, decimation only works for somewhat lower dense meshes. However I have a GoZ equivalent (Z) and can use Houdini also if needed.

[Histone]

@thinkit

Sorry for my slow reply. Since last time I did fresh installation of Ubuntu 20.10 and re-install everything, Lutris, wine, and required libraries.

ZBrush 2021.1.2 is running fine with the latest Lutris on Ubuntu 20.10.
Live boolean also works fine now.
The only issue still remains is light box but that’s not a big problem for me.

Thank you very much for your tips and everything.

---

I’m curious about the performance compare to the same machine on Windows.
How do you guys think?

On my machine, I got some lagged background images while dragging around the heavy data, but it doesn’t happen on Linux. so I feel it even comfortable than on Windows, but that’s not enough evidence to comparing the performance between Linux and Windows.

and, I also curious about the memory and CPU usuage on Linux, compared to these on Windows. Is it faster, same, slower, etc.

If anyone interested in this topic, any comments would be welcomed.

[thinkit]

@Histone

Hi Histone. So great that you have ZBrush running fine with Lutris on Ubuntu 20.

Sorry, I can not compare performance between systems at the moment. However when doing some real character modeling it was possible with Wine Zbrush and the performace was not an issue at all.

[Histone]

@thinkit

Thanks a lot for your reply. Glad to hear performance is good on your serious work.

I’ve been using ZB on Linux for 3 month now. Here’s some issues I have noticed on performance. I just want to let it know to everyone whom concerns on ZB on Linux.

1. Decimation Master performs a little bit slow or not performs well. It doesn’t respond some times on very hi-poly Dynamesh object, compare to that on Win and Mac. You need to lower the resolution of the Dynamesh before use it.
2. Decimation Master processes (DecimationMasterApp.exe) kept alive even after ZBrush quits. It runs separately each time you execute. You need to kill the processe to purge memory.

ZBrush uses several separated executable files such as Decimation Master, ZColor, ZRemesher, etc and these additional exe files are not reach to the best performance IMHO.

But ZBrush itself perfroms well and regular sculpting / brushing works are functioning well overall so far.

I hope more people interested in “ZB on Linux”. More and more people interested then Pixologic might be interested in it some day. ( I hope)
I really really want Pixologic release the official Linux version someday in the future.

Many of other 3DCG programs are “real cross-platform” nowadays. Even “Free software” Blender has Linux version, and its sculpting is amazingly improving and catching up ZBrush sculpting at really fast pace. It even performs way much better than Windows version. I think Linux is the best platform for many professional production workflows on multi-core workstation, 'cause its stable, calm, useless overhead processes free.

ZBrush is developed with using Qt which is the crossplatformable. I have many many “WHYs” in mind.

[thinkit]

Mobile solutions for Running ZBrush

This post is simply related to Using Zbrush on Linux with a MS Surface Pro. Additionally it briefly describes how it is possible to use it to access a high-end workstation that run Zbrush. In my case it is Linux via Wine.

ZBrush on MS Surface Pro via VNC and Linux

For various reasons, for example having another day job, being a father, and travelling, has made me look for alternative ways to access my digital tools and workstation more flexibly.

If you just need a mobile solution and can not do technical trouble shooting with Linux you could simply buy a more high end laptop/Tablet and run ZBrush natively in Windows.

After successfully trying out the MS Surface Go 2 2-in-1 tablet/laptop using a Linux system on a USB-memory I was able to attain a cheap Surface Pro 2017. A dual boot system was installed with Windows 10 and Xubuntu (Ubuntu with XFCE).

Although it is possible to start high end software on a Surface Pro I am more interested in accessing my workstation with all its computing power such as CPU:s, GPU:s and storage. My Surface Pro is rather limited in performance when comparing with a workstation.

Using TurboVNC viewer on Xubuntu it is possible to access a TurboVNC server on a workstation. For that an SSH-tunnel was used with an identity file for RSA-encrypted data transfer through the local network. It also works via Internet with for example port forwarding. A great feature of TurboVNC server is that it can support pressure sensitivity for devices like Wacom or the Wintab driver in Wine.

As a side note, with the additional software VirtualGL it is also possible to run OpenGL software remotely. To access for example Nvidia drivers via VirtualGL an additional virtual display can be started (via Xorg).

Examples of benefits:

• fast enough interaction and view updates with remote access through wireless network for the tablet (such as 5 GHz)
• no noise work environment (for example the fans of a workstation)
• a truly mobile access to a workstation (requires low latency internet connection with at least 25 Mbps)
• battery support
• touch screen support
• pen with pressure support
• A low end Surface Go or Surface Pro should be adequate for VNC

Not supported:

• Sound through VNC (there exist other techniques that support remote sound access but it is not known if pen pressure is included.

Although this mobile work method can not compete with or replace a full desktop experience, it can provide another dimension of experiencing digital tools in a more casual context.

If you are interested to do something similar with Linux please do not ask me to provide a step-by-step tutorial. Doing this on Linux to Linux will require you to study the techniques highlighted in the description above. Since you read this thread I expect you to be familiar with Linux systems. To accomplish the above with VNC you should be prepared to do some trouble shooting.

[Histone]

Hello, ZB on Linux enthusiasts.

ZBrush 2021.6.4 has been released and FINALLY, the lightbox issue has been solved.
now ZB runs PERFECTLY on Linux via WINE!

I got Windows version of ZBrush 2021.6.4 running on Pop!_OS 20.10 with wine 6.6.

[SreckoM]

Does Decimation works for you?

[Histone]

Yes Decimation Master works too.

[SreckoM]

Really? For me it just stuck, never do anything, even on lower dense meshes…

[Lycaan]

Hello people! I’ve read through this whole thread, thank you so much Thinkit for posting this installation guide! It helped me so much!

After several days of failed attempts I finally managed to install and run Zbrush in Linux Manjaro Cinnamon community edition via Lutris and wine. Everything works perfectly, and the viewport performance is fantastic compared to Windows, even Displacement texture export works waaaaaay faster and seemingly view-port is faster when sculpting on model subdivided to 50 mil polys and above. It’s even funny how faster and snappier it is under Linux, makes me want to sculpt even more.

But there is a huge problem. My Wacom tablet glitches under wine, It works perfectly when I’m using linux apps, but when I switch to Zbrush via wine my wacom feels like I’m using a mouse. There’s almost no pressure sensitivity, there is some (maybe I’m not sure), but it’s barely noticeable, also size sensitivity doesn’t work, so I have to change brush size way too often.

I have tried reinstalling all the drivers, but it didn’t help, so the problem has to be wine. Is it possible to install maybe wacom drivers in wine and run them before Zbrush starts? If anyone had problems with their wacom tablet in Linux, please share your thoughts on the matter, I’m new to Linux and don’t know all the quirks yet, I’d really appreciate all the suggestions and things to try and mitigate wacom tablet problem in wine.

Edit:

I have managed to make pressure sensitivity work, but with certain problems, though.

Here’s a screenshot of a problem I have, quite often at higher subd levels sculpt strokes randomly glitch and I end up with random maximum pressure strokes, it is really annoying and makes you undo all the time. This doesn’t happen at all in Windows. What may be the cause? Is it Vcredists conflicts or is it an internal linux problem?

[thinkit]

@Lycaan @Histone

Problem description: When the tablet is pushed hard so the brush size reaches its maximum size additional pressure will cause the size to suddenly jump to a small size. (see image below)

Actually probably the reason why I have not noticed the pressure issue is because it only appear when pushing unnaturally hard with the Wacom. Pushing that hard with my Cintiq would quickly destroy my pen nib. However, it does exist in version 2021.1.1 as well as in 2021.6.6. My guess is that it should not be a Linux error beause pressure works well in other apps for example Krita. However, there is obviously some incompatible number translation between Linux-Wine-ZBrush.

To avoid the problem either you simply press lighter with your tablet or do the following tweaking. See the Brush settings in the image below.

Additional Tablet Pressure tweaks with Linux
These adjustments you can experiment with, however I was not able to get rid of the error defined in the problem description (see beginning of this post) except by tweaking the brush in ZBrush.

The following commands require: xsetwacom

Get the name of your device with the following.
xsetwacom --list devices
example:
Wacom Cintiq 22 Pen stylus id: 8 type: STYLUS
Wacom Cintiq 22 Pen eraser id: 12 type: ERASER

A very light press with make a mark for example a thin line
xsetwacom --set “Wacom Cintiq 22 Pen stylus” Threshold 1

Alternatively require some additional pressure with make an initially stronger mark
xsetwacom --set “Wacom Cintiq 22 Pen stylus” Threshold 250

Interpret pressure lineary (recommended)
xsetwacom --set “Wacom Cintiq 22 Pen stylus” PressureCurve 0 0 100 100

If you prefer a softer feel.
xsetwacom --set “Wacom Cintiq 22 Pen stylus” PressureCurve 0 5 95 100

If you prefer a harder feel.
xsetwacom --set “Wacom Cintiq 22 Pen stylus” PressureCurve 5 0 100 95

To read the settings as you log in to your account you can place the command in your users main folder in file “.bashrc” (hidden) in the bottom line.

To get rid of the “lines” rendering error in version 2021.6.6 the library override vcomp140 (native, builtin) can be used.

To get decimation master to work you probably need to adjust your preferences regarding decimation first (threads and dll).

I am running Debian 11 with KDE and Wine 6.0 stable (downloaded from winehq) if you want to know that.

[thinkit]

Tablet pressure issue

As mentioned in my above post the quick and easy solution is simply do not press your tablet too hard (and adjust your settings so you do not need to either).

On the technical side I tested this with my Surface Pro running TurboVNC. This issue does not exist. I am not running virtual tablet (an optional argument when starting vncserver) but simply the built in functions of TurboVNC with XFCE4 (for less overhead). My mouse settings window will register different devices. For example I can connect to the same screen/session from the physical workstation and the Wacom Cintiq and at the same time run TurboVNC to the same screen. XFCE will see different tablet devices (in the mouse settings). When using the Surface with VNC there is not that pressure issue, but when running the Wacom pen on Cintiq there is. The pen used on Surface is some MS one (without a middle button).

https://external-content.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.4rgos.it%2Fi%2FArgos%2F4635206_R_Z001A%3Fw%3D750%26h%3D440%26qlt%3D70&f=1&nofb=1.

Conclusion: It seems that the pressure issue is somehow related to different devices (or possibly how you connect to ZBrush).

[thinkit]

Disclaimer: This is not easy to install and configure without some specialized knowledge about Linux and networks (see my previous post about vnc). If you expect an out of the box experience you can forget this configuration. However this post is simply to show you that it works. Remember: no official support for Linux.

Zbrush 2021.6.6
Wine 6.0
TurboVNC
proper tablet pressure (this pen for now)
Surface Pro with Ubuntu (only the Surface)
Secure connection via Internet to a workstation running Debian 11 (fast interaction possible)
Scratch disk is RAM
Easily sculpt with 40M points and beyond

Houdini 18.5
TurboVNC
VirtualGL
Z tool (GoZ equivalent)

[Histone]

With the same version of ZBrush and WINE as mine?
and what OS do you use?

Now I"m using:

ZBrush 2021.6.6
WINE 6.10
Pop!_OS 21.04

[TheGreatArtist]

Hello everybody, thank you so much to all the people who have been contributing to this useful guide!
I am very new to Linux, having started using it two days ago. After trying several distributions and desktop environments, I decided for Kubuntu (21.04).

Thanks to the video made by Przemas, I managed to have a smoothly working ZBrush in Wine/Lutris. I have not done a throughout test yet, but I tried HD Geometry (a feature I use regularly) and I was indeed impressed by the performance! In HD Geometry, especially the undos can be painfully slow. They are much faster in Wine!! Incredible. I tested with one subtool, 100 million polys.

However, I still cannot get the wacom pressure to work. It is perfectly working in Linux, but in Wine acts basically like a mouse like others reported.
How did you manage to get it to work? I tried the procedure about the tablet pressure support according post #42, but it seems to have no effect.

Any help would be much appreciated, I see a huge potential for ZBrush in Linux!!

[Z_Z]

Hey everyone. I’ve tried using ZBrush with wine and it works but I’m getting terrible experience. Whatever element I put in the viewport doesn’t get rendered. I have to left click + move mouse so I can get something to show up, and even then it’s kind of fragmented.
I’ve tried wine 4, wine 6 and crossover on different distributions (CentOS, Fedora, Ubuntu) and the result is always the same. The PC I’m testing on is quite performant.

Here’s a screenshot with my problem. The element I’ve selected is a simple sphere