ZBrush?

[Continuumx]

OK Guys,
What's the deal? I see all the ZBrush ads throughout the forum and have seen posts regarding using both ZBrush and C4d together.

Is it a better modeller or what?

It is not a better modeler but an extension and complement to using C4D. Zbrush is really an entirelly different animal suited well for certain modeling tasks. You could do the same thing with Cinema 4D but Zbrush works differently thereby giving you certain results much faster. It is not a question of better, but more of a need to extend your 3D modeling toolset. Basically there is no other way to generate displacement maps without Zbrush or the SimpleMaker Pro plugin for use with Cinema 4D.

I highly recommend it!

[paulselhi]

well not quite.. though you cannot "see" displacement maps live in bodypaint you can paint a bump texture and then use this in the displacement channel


So you can , in a round about way, paint displacement in c4d by doing it first in the bump channel and then moving that texture to the displacement and using SPD

But saying that ZB is really an outstanding program, it may have a very unfamilair i/f but that is soon got to grips with. The only problem i have with ZB is though it may be an exceelent program it does require some degree of artistic modelling skills, which i sadly lack !!

[mmhnemo]

it does require some degree of artistic modelling skills, which i sadly lack

Aww no you don't - you just need to pour more time into developing your forms and you will get there. ne? :love:

[Tiziano]

Now we're way past my current 3d knowledge base!
Probably best to fully figure out C4d before I move up in the world. And yet I LOVE knew software toys.

Going to look up the definition of 'displacement maps' now...

[acmepixel]

Zbrush is amazing. And very hard to describe to someone who has not seen it in action.

It has become an essential toolkit item for 3D texturing and detailing. Just about every digital sculptor has adopted it. (or is planning to).

But it's actually a paint program. And it's a bit like Painter, or Photoshop, or Amorphium, or Wings 3D, or Silo, or ArtRage......

It's modeling, detailing brushes are like the Mesh Surgery tools on Steroids. You can "paint" with 3D objects, or your paint stroke can become a 3D object.

Buy it. It's transformed my 3D<>2D workflow. (still in training).

[Tiziano]

Acme,
My end goal is broadcast motion graphics. With that in mind, what would ZBrush give me that C4d 9XL (with AE) doesn't?

[kiwi8]

zbrush looks like a great compliement tool to c4d but I have yet to find a efficient work flow between them. Zbrush tools are very easy to use, but im having trouble understanding how the program functions internally.

[ernia]

Hi Tiziano,

I'm by no means an expert with zb, but if you are focusing on broadcast motion graphics I don't think zb would be much help to you. zb is very useful for detailed organic modeling and texturing, like bodies, faces, natural shapes and textures. If you can find a use for a sculpted and textured ball of clay in your motion graphics then it would definately be zb you want; otherwise c4d and AE will be the ticket.

Just my 2 cents.
ernia

[edfenner]

I really like zbrush, though I don't think I get as much out of it as I do other apps. But for your needs I agree AE would be better and if you have a little more money to spend Motion is a good companion - both really work well with C4D and I use the 3 all the time for motion graphic work.

ed

[acmepixel]

Acme,
My end goal is broadcast motion graphics. With that in mind, what would ZBrush give me that C4d 9XL (with AE) doesn't?

Hi Tiziano, Like Ernia just said. Zbrush could help with abstract objects and backgrounds that you would import into C4D or AE but it's main strengths are organics and painterly stuff.

Not something I would buy for TV motion graphics. More for character design, creatures, cartoony things, etc.. It's really hot in feature film vfx and video games right now. Primarily due to the fantastic publicity from Lord of the Rings.

It is designed for artists who want to use 3D but don't want to buy 3D animation software.

Zbrush has no animation functions. (Nor should it have.)

[Tiziano]

Thanks guys,
I have Motion 1 (I doubt my 1Ghz 12" PB G4 could handle Motion 2), in addition to C4d and AE 6.5Pro so I guess I'm set. I suppose, for those of us on a Mac doing motion graphics, Synthetik Studio Artist would be a better bet. Assuming a 'paint' app is desired.

Just waiting on my 3dFluff order to arrive so I can really get down with C4d!

Always looking to add to that VISA card with a new software toy however :bounce:

[jph]

Now we're way past my current 3d knowledge base!
Probably best to fully figure out C4d before I move up in the world. And yet I LOVE knew software toys.

Going to look up the definition of 'displacement maps' now...

hi tiziano,

hav a look at the movie... it gives you a good idea what zbrush is made for...., and for that it seems to be outstanding!

http://www.designpicture.com/film/

ciao jan

[Tiziano]

hi tiziano,

hav a look at the movie... it gives you a good idea what zbrush is made for...., and for that it seems to be outstanding!

http://www.designpicture.com/film/

ciao jan

Well that's just too darn cool Jan, grazie mille (danke).

I conclude from your movie that ZBrush is very much like sculpting in clay (hence your moniker, 'Digital Sculptor'). It also looks like it's MUCH easier to model in than C4d, at least for organic forms. (I'm still just doing boxes and rooms)

Can I assume that one could animate those forms in C4d? Then again, how would you rig it?

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