Do you think Zbrush is a necessary program?

Bletzkarn

I'm trying to get away with just 3DSMAX, Substance Designer, Substance Painter & UE4. Going for environment design.

Considering the power of substance designer and painter do you think it's necessary to use zbrush in a workflow?

CrackRockSteady

Can you get away without using it in your workflow?  Probably, yeah.  It wouldn't be a bad idea to at least familiarize yourself with the software though.

slosh

If all you're doing is tiling textures, you probably don't need zbrush thanks to designer.  That being said, knowing it for industry work is pretty much a must.   If you want to be considered for a job, you're going to have to know zbrush fairly well.

Brian "Panda" Choi

No, but I highly doubt it's completely escapable. Even the old guard I know peck it from time to time. 

lotet

but yeah, Id say its pretty essential for anything organic, like trees, plants, rocks, wood etc..

Bletzkarn

Damn, there's just so much to learn and keep up with these days. Seeing as I have my foot more in the arch-viz door I can afford to not look at it for now, I'll keep an open mind though.

Eric Chadwick

We don't use it at all in Arch-Viz. Lots of other tools to stay on top of though... Marvelous Designer, V-Ray, etc. There are always going to be a ton of tools, some less friendly than others.