zbrush I just don't get it
ngon master
been working with 3d software since max 1.2, and used, coded for a multitude of different platforms since then, max, maya, lightwave, softimage etc ..... I generally pick up stuff really quickly but I just don't get zbrush and the more I try the less I like it and the more frustrating it becomes, even when I think yeah that's how it works then nope think again ! so in the bin, recently just watched a few demo vids and I'm not convinced some of the more experienced users actually know what they are doing, repeating steps, having to go back because they forgot a step, followed by reload reload reload ad infinitum. I understand the technology doesn't equate well to "typical" 3d packaging methods, but geez does it have to so bloody painful. An example was the weapon creation pipeline vid I mean these are guys who had been using the package in production I presume for years (and being presented by the makers of zbrush as a sales pitch) and it's full of to, paraphrase ,"oh yeah sorry I forgot a step" stuff, I mean he moves the cylinder around likes he's never created one before! it's painful watch (and reminds me why I struggle, so much so I feel sick) and he's an experienced user !!! It's obviously incredibly powerful software and in the hands of a true expert produces absolutely stunning results but for me I find it less painful correcting ******* up mesh smooth in max before resorting to zeebrush. Am I alone in this ? is there solution, I've worked through loads of tutorials and am, quite frankly none the wiser. 
sorry not much of RANT I know. 
sorry not much of RANT I know.
Replies
If you want something more straight forward to use, try Mudbox, which unfortunately hasn't really been developed in quite a few years.
You're not alone in your feelings. Most zbrush users hate the software too but put up with it's faults and crashes because there really isn't any better choices out there.
When I have helped people learn ZB I think the biggest thing they get hung up on is how many options there are to do one thing. It can also be a very destructive workflow which scares people. So typically I feel in Zbrush it can take a little pre-thinking before each step to figure out the best approach. This is hard for people that have used the same software for years and just instinctively jump to the exact tool they need. Also I have noticed people feel like they need to learn ALL the possible options before moving forward. I think you learn ZB much easier if you just pick one process or tool and learn that then move on and try something else later. I think you need more of a yolo, jump first ask questions later, approach and just do something. You'll eventually see the patterns.
You'll get there, it will never stop being annoying, but it will do what you want, with a lot of sass, but at least you won't be walking away with a punctured lung or missing pants.
zbrush has it's place but some of the material coming out of the community make it seem like the one stop app for every task. sanity is restored once you don't try to build and pose and render entire assets in there, from my experience anyway.
my issue with the interface is mostly that it's a bit too small, noticeably so on a high res screen. you also have to turn off that palette auto-collapse preference and perhaps clean up the interface some. i have a traditional menu bar for example, none of this sorted-by-alphabet stuff. they would do good to give us a more useful subtool palette, too, photoshop-style with groups and always visible in it's own pane. one can dream...
Sounds like you've already given up on Zbrush, which is a shame. But anyway there are alternatives. At the end of the day, we're using these packages to make art. Who gives a crap how or what you use to get to 'your' end result and if you don't enjoy it, why do it or use it?? I love what Scott Robertson says at 3.40 into this video.
who you calling schooled !