Official Mudbox demonstration by Petey Konig at CA/MB Workshop!

[Teyon]

Don’t down-play the value of a standard interface. In a production setting, the less time it takes for an artist to get familiar with a new tool, the faster you can get quality work out of him/her. While it’s true that by now many are fimilar with ZBrush’s workflow, that doesn’t mean a more standard workflow wouldn’t provide a superior experience and enhance productivity…of course, the opposite also applies I guess.

[Marcel]

I hear a lot of hype about Mudbox, it’s great to know that Zbrush has some competition now. But its not very encouraging when people spout about how awesome the software is without specifically detailing its strengths.

That’s because everybody who uses it has signed a big fat NDA. But ‘superior experience’ is definitaly the right phrasing. I’ve never used a program with so much joy. Very unlike Zbrush where I always felt like I was fighting the program.

Sorry for adding more “Its teh AwEsOmEst EvAr!” comments.

[emeyers]

Whati don’t fully understand is why Weta switched from Zbrush to Mudbox? it has to have serious major advantages over ZB to substitute it.

I’m thinking it probably has to do with polygon count, interface, support for multiple objects at once and possibly adjustable cameras, and most importantly, the company’s willingness to design the program from the ground up for production, whereas from what I’ve heard, Pixologic is not willing to change their program too drastically to suit production

[Mr_Moose]

I’m thinking it probably has to do with polygon count, interface, support for multiple objects at once and possibly adjustable cameras, and most importantly, the company’s willingness to design the program from the ground up for production, whereas from what I’ve heard, Pixologic is not willing to change their program too drastically to suit production

Though… those of us who have an investment in ZB can only hope that the 2.5 release will be addressing these issues. Pixologic are well aware of ‘the grievances’ that have been raised (repeatedly). It’s up to them to step up to the table and deal with them. If they don’t, there’s going to be a lot of unhappy bunnies. The 2.5 update, as we all know, is taking an eternity. My only doubts are is that the delay is due to them bustin their butts on multi-platform and 64 bit compatibility (which is all good - of course), which might be proving to be a bitch. I’m not holding out for a re-vamp of the ui/workflow - but in my dreams I’m hoping. Go on Pix, surprise us!

[emeyers]

Though… those of us who have an investment in ZB can only hope that the 2.5 release will be addressing these issues. Pixologic are well aware of ‘the grievances’ that have been raised (repeatedly). It’s up to them to step up to the table and deal with them. If they don’t, there’s going to be a lot of unhappy bunnies. The 2.5 update, as we all know, is taking an eternity. My only doubts are is that the delay is due to them bustin their butts on multi-platform and 64 bit compatibility (which is all good - of course), which might be proving to be a bitch. I’m not holding out for a re-vamp of the ui/workflow - but in my dreams I’m hoping. Go on Pix, surprise us!

I agree, and I hope Pixologic has some great tricks up their sleeve. I really hope they don’t let Mudbox just wipe the floor with them, because competition in that sect of the market is really important for us artists. That said, I can’t wait to see what Mudbox brings to the table

[Spin99]

Petey Konig and Jordu Schell - some really amazing sculpting going on…
Well is Weta going to sell it themselves I wonder?
Actually this is really exciting, more ZB type software coming out!

You know it could be could be good for ZB too, some competition
Maybe that’ll make it even better?
Also it’s rumoured that Mudbox has quirks, not a clue here though.

I just wonder if it has a good renderer and if it’ll come out with a Hollywood movie tag lol

Ciao.

[BazC]

I just wonder if it has a good renderer and if it’ll come out with a Hollywood movie tag lol

I doubt that Mudbox has a renderer at all given that it has been developed for professional 3d artists to fit into a pipeline. ZB really started as a hobbiests app and is designed as a stand alone programme.

One other thing to consider, Mudbox may be aimed purely at the big studios with a massive price tag (Face Robot anyone?) in which case it may not affect/influence ZB at all!

[Sonk]

I’m thinking it probably has to do with polygon count, interface, support for multiple objects at once and possibly adjustable cameras, and most importantly, the company’s willingness to design the program from the ground up for production, whereas from what I’ve heard, Pixologic is not willing to change their program too drastically to suit production

Those feature are worth there weight in gold! Bring on the Mudbox.

[BUZZFX]

Does this Mudbox software have a website yet? Where can I see what this software does?

[BillSpradlin]

Whati don’t fully understand is why Weta switched from Zbrush to Mudbox? it has to have serious major advantages over ZB to substitute it.

Lots of reasons actually. One of the major reasons being is Pixologics unwillingness to adapt and support features that were needed in production. Mudbox was developed for production from the very start so it’s been built to tackle the needs of a film and or games pipeline require. It also was NOT developed by Weta, it was developed by a seperate company much like Massive was. Weta had extensive beta use of it in production of course and now that it’s been developed a bit, quite a few other studios are beta testing it. It’s still got a ways to go as far as development, so it will probably be another year or more before anything is released publicly.

I’ve heard some people that have used it claim that Mudbox is to ZBrush what Maya is to Poser. That’s coming from people who’ve had extensive use of both programs. Pretty strong words, but considering that I’ve heard consistant things along those lines from different people, I’d say it’s going to be pretty damn impressive.

[Spin99]

One other thing to consider, Mudbox may be aimed purely at the big studios with a massive price tag (Face Robot anyone?)

Thanks for the insight BazC.
Actually I’m hoping to “Get into ZB” myself this year

I’ve heard some people that have used it claim that Mudbox is to ZBrush what Maya is to Poser

That is some statement. Ok maybe people already have to be in the movie industry to have Maya anyway

[skello]

I’ve heard some people that have used it claim that Mudbox is to ZBrush what Maya is to Poser.

Good Lawd!! :surprised thats some serious bashing. Hopefully it will stand up to that statement :drool:

[emeyers]

I’ve heard some people that have used it claim that Mudbox is to ZBrush what Maya is to Poser.

Wow, now that is quite a lofty statement! I wonder how much that has to do with novelty. If there is any truth in that statement, then color me excited. Even more excited than before! Another year behind the curtains sounds absolutely unbearable though

[Bonedaddy]

Another year behind the curtains sounds absolutely unbearable though

Not half as unbearable as getting the damn thing and finding out it’s riddled with bugs…

[shingo]

I’m sure there will be a lot said or shown re Mudbox at SIGGRAPH.

As far as Pixologic in concerned, they have themselves to blame. Such an incredible tool held back by some blinkered ideology. How many times have Pixologic stated that Zbrush is a 2.5 D tool and was never intended to be a full 3D tool?

That mentality id simply shooting yourself in the foot, when 90% of the user base are using it for 3D specifically. Even more rediculous seeing aws every new feature being implemented was 3D secific.

Wow, now that is quite a lofty statement! I wonder how much that has to do with novelty. If there is any truth in that statement, then color me excited. Even more excited than before! Another year behind the curtains sounds absolutely unbearable though

[Nemoid]

I find ZB to be good, even with its strange workflow sometimes. then, if Mudbox is even better, i’ll just cannot complain. But…could be expensive, thinking it comes out by movie production ?

[ekah]

Petey has picked it up and learned it without any prior 3d modeling experience. His approach is that of a traditional scuptor and he found it to be very intuitive and responsive. He has been using it in his spare time for fun as well…so that says a lot.

I think this implies plenty about the work flow and the interface.

[JT1]

some more testimonials :
“personally I think compairing mudbox to zbrush is like compairing
Photoshop to MS Paint…
Um yeah =)”

found it here : http://www.3dbuzz.com/vbforum/showthread.php?t=122926&page=3&pp=10

The buzz is growing !

[mech7]

:DHa yes buzz… but what if it is nowhere near the league of zbrush… we still haven’t seen anything

[moujot]

It sounds very interesting, specialy being part of the unlucky bunch to not feel comfy with Zbrush’s interface… but so did Clay (well, for all i know, Clay might never hit any shelves), and so did a supposedly new release of Mirai… i would not want to sound to much of an #ss here, but i’d say wait until we can actually see it in action, wait until someone (someone who knows, that is) says it’s going commercial, before jumping in on the hype wagon…
That said, Peter Konig is a really impressive artist, and i would like to see a more “standardly” interfaced Zbrush-like tool…

mouj