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| Maxon ZBrush | |
|---|---|
 | |
 Fullscreen screenshot of ZBrush 4.0 | |
| Developer | Maxon |
| Initial release | 1999; 27 years ago (1999) |
| Stable release | ZBrush 2025.1.1 / December 12, 2024; 14 months ago (2024-12-12) |
| Written in | C,C++,Python |
| Operating system | Windows 10 version 1709 and later macOS 11.5 and later |
| Type | 3D computer graphics |
| License | Commercialproprietary software -Shareware |
| Website | www |
Maxon ZBrush is adigital sculpting tool that combines3D/2.5Dmodeling,texturing andpainting. It uses a proprietary "pixol" technology which stores lighting, color,material,orientation anddepth information for the points making up all objects on the screen. ZBrush shares some similarities with traditionalsculpting[citation needed].
ZBrush is used for creating "high-resolution" models (ie. models that reach 40+ millionpolygons) for use in movies, games, and animations, by companies ranging fromILM[1][2] andWētā FX,[3] toEpic Games andElectronic Arts.[4] ZBrush uses dynamic levels of resolution to allow sculptors to make global or local changes to their models. ZBrush is most known for being able to sculpt medium- to high-frequency details that were traditionally painted inbump maps. The resulting mesh details can then be exported asnormal maps to be used on alow poly version of that same model. They can also be exported as adisplacement map, although, in that case, the lower poly version generally requires more resolution. Or, once completed, the 3D model can beprojected onto the background, becoming a2.5D image (upon which further effects can be applied). Work can then begin on another 3D model which can be used in the same scene. This feature lets users work within complicated scenes without a heavy processor overhead.
ZBrush was developed by the companyPixologic Inc, founded by Ofer Alon (also known by the alias "Pixolator") and Jack Rimokh.[5] The software was presented in 1999 atSIGGRAPH.[6] The demo version, 1.55, was released in 2003,[7] and version 3.1 was released in 2007.[8] ZBrush 4 for Windows and Mac systems was announced on April 21, 2009 for an August release,[9] but was later postponed.[10] Version 3.5 was made available in September the same year, and includes some of the newer features initially intended for ZBrush 4.[11]
ThroughGoZ ("Go ZBrush"), available starting in Version 4, ZBrush offers integration with other 3D graphics programs such asAutodesk Maya,Autodesk 3ds Max,Cinema 4D,LightWave 3D,Poser Pro,Daz Studio,EIAS,Modo[12] andBlender.
ZBrush was purchased by the software companyMaxon in January 2022. Since then, ZBrush has been added to the company's Maxon One subscription service. In addition, theRedshift renderer was integrated into ZBrush.[13][14]
Like apixel, each "pixol" contains information on X and Y position and color values. Additionally, it contains information on depth (orZ position), orientation and material. ZBrush-related files store pixol information, but when these maps are exported (e.g., toJPEG orPNG formats) they are flattened and the pixol data is lost. This technique is similar in concept to avoxel, another kind of 3D pixel.
ZBrush comes with many features[15] to aid in the sculpting of models andmeshes.
The initial download of ZBrush comes with thirty 3D sculpting brushes, and more are available for download. Each brush offers unique attributes while allowing general control over hardness, intensity, and size. Alphas, which are used to create a specific pattern or shape, and textures are also editable features of the brushes.
Polypainting allows users to paint on an object's surface without the need to first assign atexture map by adding color directly to the polygons.
ZBrush also gives the ability to sculpt in2.5D and comes with several brushes for that purpose. A pixol put down when sculpting or illustrating in 2.5D contains information on its own color, depth, material, position and lighting information.
ZBrush also has a feature that is similar toskeletal animation in other 3D programs. The transpose feature allows a user to isolate a part of the model and pose it without the need of skeletal rigging.[16]
A user can create a base mesh with uniform topology and then convert it into a sculptable model by starting out with a simple sphere and extracting more "ZSpheres", until the basic shape of the desired model is created.
Introduced in ZBrush 3.2 OS X, GoZ automates setting up shading networks for normal, displacement, and texture maps of the 3D models in GoZ-enabled applications. Upon sending the mesh back to ZBrush, GoZ will automatically remap the existing high-resolution details to the incoming mesh.[12] GoZ will take care of operations such as correctingpoints & polygons order. The updated mesh is immediately ready for further detailing, map extractions, and transferring to any other GoZ-enabled application.[17]
Also included is a full render suite known as Best Preview Render, which allows use of full 360° environment maps to light scenes using HDRI images. BPR includes a new light manipulation system called LightCaps. With it, one can not only adjust how the lights in the scene are placed around the model, but also generate environments based on it for HDRI rendering later on. It also allows for material adjustments in real-time. Material properties such assubsurface scattering are supported as are environmental andscan-line reflections. BPR also includes a set of built-in filters that can be used in real time to create dramatic effects and corrections without even touching another photo-manipulation program.[18]
This allows ZBrush to quickly generate a new model with uniform polygon distribution, to improve the topology of models and eliminate polygon stretching.[19]
Fibermesh is a feature that allows users to grow polygon fibers out of their models or to make various botanical items. It is also a way to edit and manipulate large amounts of polygons at once with Groom brushes.[20]
It is an automaticretopology system previously called QRemesher that creates a new topology based on the original mesh. The new topology is generally more clean and uniform. This is a process that also helps to reduce or increase the polygon count. This process can also be guided by the user to make the new topology follow curves in the model and retain more detail in specified areas.[21]
Shadowbox allows the user to draw a rough silhouette of what they want to model, onto the inside of a virtual box. In real-time, any changes to the drawings are applied to a 3D model, upon which further details can be applied. The feature can best be utilized for hard surface modeling.[22]
In September 2024, Maxon released ZBrush foriPad, bringing the software's digital sculpting and painting tools to mobile devices. The app supportsApple Pencil input, touch gestures, and high-polygon meshes, and includes many of the brushes and features found in the desktop version. ZBrush for iPad is available as a free download with a subscription option for full features.[23]
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