I'll be honest. As far as most programs we use as 3D artists go, ZBrush is one of the average-cheaper programs. 3DS Max is what, $3,500 I think. It's mainly about managing your money. If you have any type of credit card I'd say save up enough to put half down ($350), buy the program pay that first half up front. Paying smaller monthly payments for 6 months would be about $60/month which isn't all that bad.
Zbrush costs about the same as Mudbox and has had free updates for awhile. I don't think the upgrade to 5 will be free, but I think they have earned it.
$700? While they have bumped up over the years, it's still cheap when you think about the power it has, how well it has been integrated into the film and video game industries, and the way they continually market the product.
Blunt answer....
they accept all major debit/credit cards.
let's not go into pirating, but even so, the guys that make an awesome product with routinely impressive and innovative updates free of charge should not be pirated from IMHO.
if you wanna talk price points on software, go take a look at the stuff they use to model cars and trucks in the automotive industry and the cost of ZBrush will suddenly be as cheap as a candy bar next to a home mortgage.
You can always do competition. Most competition that are hold usually have 1 Zbrush license or a copy of the program. Only downside is that you're going up against millions of others.
Not a bad idea ultra lord, I'm trying to learn how to make 3d right now though so I doubt I would win. I'm still trying to figure out how to render a model with it's polys showing.
And then you got 3DCoat if you want something more feature rich. Its voxel sculpting technology is just as powerful and in some cases more powerful than zBrush's DynaMesh. It also has some of the best retopo, UV and texturing tools out there. It's also ridiculously easy to use unlike zBrush. It's not free though, but the student version is cheap as dirt and the free trial only locks out some file export and texturing options.
Either way if any software developer deserves our money as game artists its Pixologic, they're unrivaled in bringing us powerful tools and constant updates with huge improvements.
Pixologic=digital Santa; they Scoop out ma brains bits and stick em in an update. to my exclamation "it's just what I wanted, how did they know?!" lawlz.
try to find a used copy..Zbrush lets you resell your seat..
Only issue is that many peeps resell it at 90% price tag or more, you might as well cut out the middle man, be a nice guy, pay an extra 60$ and support Pixo directly.
imho sculptris will do the job to learn the basics. it's by far far faaaar the most user friendly sculpting app around as well.
you can still decide to buy zbrush or mudbox later
Only issue is that many peeps resell it at 90% price tag or more, you might as well cut out the middle man, be a nice guy, pay an extra 60$ and support Pixo directly.
(Basically, don't be a dick)
your face is a dick
it's not going to break pixologic...if it was a problem they would stop letting people transfer their used seats
No, but there is the school of thought that since Pixologic does tons of development on new features and seems to upgrade everyone for free to the new versions, the least you could do is buy your copy directly from them. More of a partnership that way, IMO.
Maximize their profit on the sale since it's likely the last time you'll be sending them money.
I bought it for $500-550 at version 3.1, it's a full commercial license and every update has been free so far. That's probably the best deal I've gotten out of any commercial package.
Plus, they have a good deal with their licensing that allows for installation on 2 machines - which is what you need to work at home and at the office.
it's not going to break pixologic...if it was a problem they would stop letting people transfer their used seats
Haha, I didn't call you a dick mate, chill out, relax. Although seriously, between Dr. Cox and someone who is wearing a very Freudian mask, I would be the last dick looking-face in the world.
And my second point is be nice, why buy a resell at 90% of the original price, I mean that's what currently? 70$ at most you're saving? If you have the PC to run ZB, you have the 70$ you can scrounge up to it, it's the same debate as PC games and piracy. If you have the rig to run the latest hardware melting stuff, you honestly can't vouch for the 60-70$ bucks you're saving is 'good'.
On the other hand, if you save over 120$ from a reseller, be my guest, that's supranational enough for many peeps to be worth it.
Plus, with v5 around the not too long future, rating in with an extra price-tag for the upgrade, it future questions if you're actually saving any money at all.
Replies
Blunt answer....
they accept all major debit/credit cards.
let's not go into pirating, but even so, the guys that make an awesome product with routinely impressive and innovative updates free of charge should not be pirated from IMHO.
if you wanna talk price points on software, go take a look at the stuff they use to model cars and trucks in the automotive industry and the cost of ZBrush will suddenly be as cheap as a candy bar next to a home mortgage.
http://www.pixologic.com/sculptris/
And then you got 3DCoat if you want something more feature rich. Its voxel sculpting technology is just as powerful and in some cases more powerful than zBrush's DynaMesh. It also has some of the best retopo, UV and texturing tools out there. It's also ridiculously easy to use unlike zBrush. It's not free though, but the student version is cheap as dirt and the free trial only locks out some file export and texturing options.
http://3d-coat.com/
That was a while ago but I would suggest checking out what they have to offer.
http://www.pixologic.com/resellers/
Either way if any software developer deserves our money as game artists its Pixologic, they're unrivaled in bringing us powerful tools and constant updates with huge improvements.
Pixologic=digital Santa; they Scoop out ma brains bits and stick em in an update. to my exclamation "it's just what I wanted, how did they know?!" lawlz.
I was gonna say this too, you can find used copies of zbrush as well.
(Basically, don't be a dick)
you can still decide to buy zbrush or mudbox later
your face is a dick
it's not going to break pixologic...if it was a problem they would stop letting people transfer their used seats
Maximize their profit on the sale since it's likely the last time you'll be sending them money.
Haha, I didn't call you a dick mate, chill out, relax. Although seriously, between Dr. Cox and someone who is wearing a very Freudian mask, I would be the last dick looking-face in the world.
And my second point is be nice, why buy a resell at 90% of the original price, I mean that's what currently? 70$ at most you're saving? If you have the PC to run ZB, you have the 70$ you can scrounge up to it, it's the same debate as PC games and piracy. If you have the rig to run the latest hardware melting stuff, you honestly can't vouch for the 60-70$ bucks you're saving is 'good'.
On the other hand, if you save over 120$ from a reseller, be my guest, that's supranational enough for many peeps to be worth it.
Plus, with v5 around the not too long future, rating in with an extra price-tag for the upgrade, it future questions if you're actually saving any money at all.