ZBrush is advancing yet again with the release of ZBrush 2018 – another free upgrade for all existing ZBrush customers!
Sculptris Pro Mode
This major new feature is an enhanced version of the dynamic tessellation system from our popular Sculptris application. It enables the artist to ignore the constraints of polygon distribution and simply sculpt! Sculptris Pro will dynamically add (tesselate) and remove (decimate) polygons wherever and whenever it’s needed. It actually does this during your brush stroke in a real-time process called Tessimation. This frees you to focus entirely on the look you’re trying to achieve.
Sculptris Pro is the perfect tool for concept artists and creative users who simply want to get an idea formed without worry about things like polygon distribution. It is also ideal for anyone using CAD, point cloud and other imported models without having to first retopologize the model or switch to DynaMesh.
It is also perfect for refining a model after Live Boolean has been used, where variation in polygon density and triangulation can be a challenge with traditional methods. Additionally, it allows 3D printing users to edit models which have already been optimised before being imported back into ZBrush for quick edits.
Sculptris Pro is a mode that can be enabled whenever you want and is compatible with the majority of the hundreds of sculpting brushes that ZBrush is famous for.
Deformers Extended
ZBrush 4R8 introduced the Gizmo 3D manipulator system which included utilities such as FFD Box, Multislice and several powerful Deformers. In ZBrush 2018, Pixologic are increasing this to a total of 27 deformers. Each deformer has a unique feature set to allow quick shape alterations that would not be possible through brush strokes.
Of special note is the new Project Primitive deformer. This gives the ability to use multiple primitives to reshape a mesh, cut into a surface, build up from another mesh and much more. Not only does Project Primitive offer a new, unique way to blend multiple pieces of geometry together it also empowers you to take something as simple as a sphere and turn it into a rocket ship, automobile, plane, human bust, or nearly anything else you might imagine.
PolyGroupIt
This is an entirely new way to create the polygon groupings that are so essential to a smooth ZBrush workflow. PolyGroup It accurately evaluates the surface of a model in real-time, generating intelligent groupings with a single button click. Creating PolyGroups has never been so easy! What’s more, with PolyGroup It you can add or delete, copy & paste, grow or shrink, create PolyGroups symmetrically and even use PolyPaint to trace out exactly what you want your PolyGroups to look like.
Other Additions
- Elastic and Liquid options for Curve Mode.
- Insert Meshes can now be rotated or smoothed along a curve.
- Equidistant Mesh Duplication using the Gizmo 3D.
- Remember Draw Size and Dynamic Mode for Brush options.
- New PolyGroup by Normals option.
- Increased output size for 3D Print Hub.
- Snake Hook brushes for use with Sculptris Pro.
- Option to save Startup Default Material.
- Tessimate can also be used as a stand-alone feature, outside of Sculptris Pro.
- QuickSaves can now be saved to any hard drive.
- New Activation and License Management System, powered by our My Licenses web portal.
- All licenses are now dual platform for both Windows and macOS.