ZBrush problematic Pen Pressure Issue

[Tristanartform]

Hello Community. I am posting this because I am having a very frustrating problem with Zbrush pressure sensitivity shifting back and forth between working and not working. It mostly doesn’t work and I hope you’ll read through my attempt to detail the problem and see if this rings any bells with anyone. Please read the whole post before responding.

The issue is that as I work, suddenly the pressure is coming out full regardless of what pressure I am actually applying with the stylus. More often than not the pen pressure comes out full, occasionally suddenly working properly, and then soon stopping functioning properly again. It never changes during an actual stroke, but will suddenly work properly for a brief time between brush strokes. This happens sometimes when I switch brushes, sometimes after an auto save. Sometimes for who knows why? Then it will disable again. This has been happening now for several weeks. I should say I am not having this problem with any other digital art software I use - only Zbrush.

I am using the Current Maxon Zbrush 2024. OS is Windows 11 on a custom built PC –

Processor: AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3960X 24-Core Processor 3.80 GHz

Installed RAM: 64.0 GB (63.9 GB usable).

One thing I have been wondering is if there is a compatibility issue with the current Zbrush and my older Wacom tablet, the Intuos Pro L, PTH-851. However, I can;'t find any mention of this anywhere online and I figured I would have if this was it.

All drivers for everything are up to date and I have already done a good deal of troubleshooting with Maxon’s and Wacom’s respective tech support people (who are all great, BTW).

I have done clean uninstalls and reinstalled both software according to the maker’s instructions and nothing has worked. I have disabled Windows Ink; I have switch ZBrush preference Tablet settings to stylus; I have played with a bunch of settings all over the place and nothing has worked.

Where things stand now and why I am posting is to get feedback on two theories. The first possible incompatibility between the current Zbrush and my older tablet. Has anyone actually experienced this and resolved it by replacing the older tablet? The second theory came from Maxon who recently stated that a Windows update could also have caused this issue. Anyone have this happen and then were able to resolve it somehow?

I am reluctant to spend money I don’t have on an updated tablet/stylus system unless I know that’s the issue. I also don’t know what to do about a Windows update issue. I could do a system restore to an earlier point, but Windows would just try to reinstall the update. And, I don’t know that’s the issue or which update would be the suspicious one.

I’d welcome any thoughtful or informed feedback.

Thank for reading this.

Tristan

[Spyndel]

Hi @Tristanartform ,

@Tristanartform

One thing I have been wondering is if there is a compatibility issue with the current Zbrush and my older Wacom tablet, the Intuos Pro L, PTH-851. However, I can;'t find any mention of this anywhere online and I figured I would have if this was it.

Sorry you’re having some trouble! For the record I have the same Intuos model or something close to it. I don’t immediately experience any issues with pen pressure for ZBrush 2024.0.4. (current release version).

Ultimately you’ll need to contact Support for any technical issues with your ZBrush installation. However some things to check first:

1. In your Wacom tablet configuration utility , make sure the “tip feel” for your pen is set to a firm enough setting. If this is set too “soft” then it requires very little pressure to immediately transition to the max pressure state. The effect of this may be indistinguishable from feeling like the pressure sensitivity is random. Setting this to a “firmer” setting expands the pressure sensitivity range and makes for more gradual and deliberate transitions between pressure states.

2. Tablet drivers frequently break after system updates. It may be necessary to uninstall then reinstall the most up to date version of the drivers for your device, even if they are already installed. The act of reinstalling the drivers can correct issues.

3. We recommended disabling “Windows Ink”, but try it with this both enabled and disabled. The checkbox for this is the “mapping” tab of the wacom utility.

4. On rare occasions, another running program or device could be conflicting with your tablet operation.

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If nothing I’ve suggested here is helpful, please contact Support.

Thank you!