Zbrush 4r7 Discussion
polycounter lvl 14
Since this community is relevant to this subject and many of us use Zbrush. Here is (according to them,) is a heat of what the actual update would be.
[ame="
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6v3714_DrCs"]ZBrush 4R7 64bit REVEAL DAY 1 (Full Presentation HD) - YouTube[/ame]
[ame="
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6v3714_DrCs"]ZBrush 4R7 64bit REVEAL DAY 1 (Full Presentation HD) - YouTube[/ame]
Replies
Im really looking forward to the modeling tools, the more I can stay in zbrush the better
@Superfranky: 64 bit beta!! I'm excited and hopeful that it's good
What do you guys think about the low poly modelling tools? Look easy to use but a bit limited to the parametric system of Zbrush.
64bit is neat, hopefully the beta is stable and this isn't just a setup to get us to buy an upgrade to Zbrush 5.
I have meshes where I can load, but which take ages to open and crash when I try to save. The obvious fix would be to delete history on all subtools, but that crashes them. Fun!
64 bit will be all I come along for, the rest I consider a very good bonus. Let's hope the modelling isn't a mess.
the modelling tools will hopefully come in handy once in a while to fix and tweak where so far the model would have to take a roundtrip max and back. i hope they don't feel totally alien and cumbersome to use.
btw. have they ever shown subtool folders? that would be one to look forward to.
and numeric input for transformations.
re: "mesh too big to export" - try turning off UV merge and whatever else there is under tool->export tab. I think it normally fails when merging vertices?
shame that skymatter fell for the buyout money. they played off nicely on Z's weaknesses as a production tool for a while but now mudbox seems largely abandoned.
They are def not "surfer dudes" that I am aware of. The CEO of Pixologic def seems like a unique but very technical individual. I know a few of the pixologic guys personally, and the usual response regarding the subject of UX/UI is that its geared more towards physical work stations. When you think of it that way, there is a logic to it. Categories are in alphabetical order, everything in that category can be docked around the primary work space. Its really not all that difficult once it clicks.
With The Foundry picking up ADF tech via Mischief, and their sculpting prototype, its quite likely we will see a stand alone sculpting application from The Foundry.
I cant imagine anything seriously competing with zbrush at this point though. Would rather see further developments inside of existing 3d creation suites (modo, maya, max..ect)
^This, along with sub-tool groups and object orientation would be all I would ever ask for from them.
Oh, About the obj being too big to export- if you turn off Mrg, Grp, Txr in the export tab it will export the highpoly with polypaint without crashing. I've done it up to 18 million polys without an issue. You just won't have UVs on your highpoly, but it's good enough for baking.
For example, I understand why it would be next to impossible for them to add a true map painting system, and that is due to the way their material/Uv system is setup, and I understand the weird Vertex+PS Plugin combo we have to use (although I use other stuff).
Maybe laziness, or maybe this is their vision and they don't want to strip it, whatever, no skin off my teeth when other apps can fill the role nicely.
But at the same time, the much needed 'folder' setup for Layers isn't exactly an industry standard or something, it exists (just like it always has, since the day we were unfertilized eggs) since the dawn of time to keep things organized, that's the entire point. I don't understand on what kind of logic Pixo has for not bringing those since day 1 after the HardSurface brushes they put, and those are not impossible to create.
And yeah, the scale system is a nightmare still. I mean why wouldn't you have a unified scale system in the first place? That's like coding your watch to take into account daytime savings and what the day was like at the Battle of the Roses on a Sunday, and forgetting about leap years.
The easy work around is to make a digital 3d ruler in max, maya, etc. And append the obj as a subtool.
Yes please
Yes Please
Also, i'm chill with the UI how it is as i've learnt to live with it, but the sliders man.
The sliders need an overhaul.
For example;
Me: "Alright Zbrush lets move this subtool over 20 points in the Y axis"
Zbrush slider: "what? the Z axis?"
Me: "no 20 on the Y!"
Zbrush slider: "Sorry best i can do is 18.97874, please put the pen down and use the keyboard"
yeah that would be my vote too, I just want to scale rotate and move like I do in every other 3d app out there, why re-invent the wheel?
And while i do agree with what others have said about the addition of proper gizmos for tool/subtool manipulation (transpose action lines are REALLY annoying, and very counter-intuitive, the circles aren't even labeled for axis for christ's sake), and also, the addition of proper scale (even if it's just MM) would be great, we still don't know what's coming in ZB5, only what's coming in R7, though i am also looking forward to 64-bit, it's about damn time ZB made that leap.
[ame="
I wonder how vertex tweaking will look like with their transform gizmo.
yeah so far Ive never seen someone fix a messy mesh in a video for example - these edge loops dont create the shape I want so Im going to delete 5 polys and weld another mesh here and then clean up the ngons I have created etc.
yeah so far Ive never seen someone fix a messy mesh in a video for example - these edge loops dont create the shape I want so Im going to delete 5 polys and weld another mesh here and then clean up the ngons I have created etc.
Keyshot looks beautiful, hope the linking of files is super easy and user friendly.
I hear you, but it'll be nice to have the ability to model/change topology on the fly in ZB rather than having to go back to a 3D app.
In terms of layers as has been mentioned before I would love to see specific Subtool groups (similar to layer groups in PS,) drop down folders which can be assigned to sets of subtools - that and a revamped texturing system :thumbup:
yeah, well i've figured out the theory of relativity. and it is "easy once you figure it out". it's the "figuring out" which is the problem. the UI is so unintuitive and different from everything else, i find myself looking up tutorial videos every time i use it, is faster than bashing my head against it.
exactly what part of calling an object a "tool" is intuitive?
what part of having to go into the tool panel to import models is intuitive?
it's exactly because Zbrush still desperately clings to it's 2.5D painting roots that the UI is so damn borked.
i'll admit it's gotten better over the years, but that's a bit like saying someone with terminal cancer has gotten better.
yes, yes and yes.
also the ability to create layers not only on the highest subdiv, and the ability to merge only 2 selected layers, and not only all at once.
the feature itself is actually pretty robust and is sadly held back by all this userunfriendly nonsense...
well i gues you could say that about the whole program itself.
Again, it's simply a matter of spending one minute to read into the difference between tools and the document, and why both exist. Once you accept that you're looking at a canvas, seeing models as tools makes perfect sense.
2.5d hasn't hindered zbrush's UI or what its capable of.
If you have to read documentation then its not intuitive, when I first used mudbox 1.0 I knew exactly what I was doing, didnt even need to read any documentation, just played around and it made sense. when I used zbrush 3 I was confused by the way it did not follow normal 3D application conventions, I couldnt even figure out functionality by playing around in it for hours. I have gotten used to zbrush over the years and dont necessarily want them to change it now that Ive learnt it but that doesnt mean its intuitive for new users. I would say zbrush's UI hinders my speed and workflow every day I use it, maybe its not significant but its there.
Getting a robust, non destructive layer system with vector graphics technology like polygons/sds is going to be next to impossible. Voxels are a much better candidate. Unfortunately the only voxel sculpting app on the market hasn't seen an update to it's voxel sculpting toolset in quite some time.
You know that you can actually move and customize pretty much every button right? Im on my phone now so i cant really send you a link to a video. But im sure youl find it if you google it.
Its actually super easy and my workflow has been so much better since i found that feature.
I also find the hundreds of different techniques available for hard surface sculpting inspiring and liberating, but at the same time it seems the pixo people have bent over backwards to make ZB as seamless as possible when it comes to workflow with other software. Coupled with an enthusiastic and open community that loves to share methods and demonstrate a range of approaches I'd say we have a real winner.
I already have max, I dont need another one.
Just my experience.