ZuZu, Pixelator; History of ZBrush?!?!

[Caliban Tiresias Darklock]

This may sound like a really odd question, but then again. I'm kind of odd myself.


Is there anywhere that I can read the actual history of ZBrush?

Call me crazy, but when I own somthing that amazes me; (hell it's my prized possesion, did I mention I was odd earlier?) I generally want to know everything about it.

I can't be the only one who is just dieing to know where the inspiration to put in the long hard hours to create this astonishing program came from??

Did it all just start with Pix? Did Mrs Pix, sit down to breakfast with Mr Pix and say

"Darling; What are you going to do this fine Saturday afternoon"

"Well sweetheart, I think I'll make a kickass 2.5D graphics application that will storm the world"

??

How did It all begin? What was the inspiration?? How many years ago did you first start on creating what was to become ZBrush??. How do you just start somthing this amazing. Did you plan on selling it from day one? Or were you creating it originally as just a small application for yourself? Or was the plan to be this big all along?

Why call is ZBrush? Did it ever have an earlier name?


Ok I think I'm done with questions. Sorry if I sound like a 2 year old asking "mommy, where do I come from?" :D :D :D

[WingedOne]

This is something I've been curious about as well. Although I expect the people at Pixologic are rather busy at the moment.
;)

[robotalk]

I agree with your sentiments Caliban..And '3rd' the motion that the history of ZBrush would make a fascinating topic-- "The ZBrush Diaries" would nail my eyes to the monitor-and my feet to the floor even if it was 2000 pages long--I hope your request is answered..

one thing I've always wondered about was which came first "A" or "Z" ???--cuz "A" hardly works--and "Z" soars to the moon and beyond.. :D

[Caliban Tiresias Darklock]

Too bad; no one else likes the idea =P

Actually guys, if you want to see this happen; we'll probably need quite a few people interested. Seriously one of you post what I said, but from you. You'll get replies that way.

As you may of noticed my posts only get read by 5 people, and voila; my artwork also only gets reviewed by about 5 people; Hence why I only really post my work at renderosity now.

[cameyo]

Hi Caliban,
i want explain my situation (and maybe other are as me.)
I wish to review more images than i can: wife, daughter, ZBrush, Chess, Math, Programming, work....i must take care these too!!!
I spend about 30 minutes on ZForum every day, and then can't write enough.
Sorry, but i like to see your work and the works of other people.
I hope you post on Zforum in future.

cameyo

p.s. The History of ZBrush is a big idea. Pixolator and company help us...

[Caliban Tiresias Darklock]

Cameyo; I think there's a little more to it than that ;)

People *ignore* my posts. I've had quite a few prive messages saying so. That's fine with me; however it is annoying when I have an idea I would like voiced with support. But hey; what can ya do

[Mik]

I can't believe people send you private messages saying they don't look at you posts!
How ignorant can you get :mad:
I joined up for this site not only for the fabulous varied artwork on display, but for the friendly, helpful atmosphere.
I too suffer from lack of post interest but I am not prepared to move to Renderosity because your art is assesed by a number(I've had 2 comments since I posted work there and 1 was from yourself!)
I will always look for your posts as they are always fresh (except the rotting corpses!)and full of ideas considering how long you have been a member(hell I haven't even reached posts 100 yet :( )

......Sorry I finished ranting and raving now.... as for the topic of your post, what a great idea.
I have never used a package quite like ZBrush before(even though I am only using the demo) and I'm sure the history would be very interesting.
Cheers :D :D :D

[Caliban Tiresias Darklock]

Mik; I know. It really suprizes me.

What I find most suprizing is the people sending them aren't 12 year old kids. They are adults. Then again age is just a number when it comes to maturity. And why private message me to actually tell me? How childish can you get? lol


I may start posting artwork here again; however it does seem a tad futile when people don't view it, or encourage it.

[Ron Harris]

sorry Cal...I enjoy your work and actually thought I had posted to this thread...I think it's a great idea to see the history behind the creation of the program....now they did a thread right about the same time you posted that gave a series of events along the way....some may have thought that was the "history"...but yeah some in depth information about the conception of the program would be pretty kewl to see....and as far as Renderosity...I do alot of quick cleck thrus...but the majority of my time is spent on ZBC...I am up at 5am and normally don't stop till sometime around midnight ...(coz that is when the star trek voyager is on) but as far as comments to a posting here on ZBC....sometimes I get alot...sometimes I dont...kinda like fishing....On Renderosity one of my all time favorite images has recieved minimal viewings....but that is ok...I used to get a bit upset over it, but hey it's just something that I should learn from....not everything I produce is going to capture the interest of the general public...and sometimes I am sure the thumbnail doesnt tease the viewer enough to click on the image...but at the moment...I produce for me and anyone that shares an interest in my wierdness...and if the rest of the gang likes my stuff...that is an added goody...if not....then I move on quickly to another image....good thread....and sorry yall havent gotten the responses ya wanted...and one last thing..when you post on Renderosity you have the option of turning the rating numbers off....alot of people do that.....I even got told on there one time that they couldnt figure out why I put up most of what I posted on my gallery......and I have had a few ugly comments here on ZBC, but I have been producing my kinda art for close to 40 years in some form or fashion...ya just have to have some tough skin and some tenacity..and drive on soldier....talk to yall laterz.....gotta go to work for a while....
Ron

[Caliban Tiresias Darklock]

Hey, don't get me wrong; It doesn't bother me whether nor not I get views. Hell; I'm just happy to be using the program. But when people go out of thier way to steer clear of your artwork (as many many pm's so clearly stated), It makes posting images here hardly worth the effort.

[Mentat7]

Hey Cal, this is a good idea but I think ZuZu kind of covered it with the anniversary thread. I wonder if they even have notes, ect with details that they could rebuild a detailed history with? In any case I am sure they are busily working on the new version for us so I wouldn't be in much of a hurry trying to get more out of them right now. As far as your other comments...I find it a little surprising people would e-mail you and tell you they don't look at your work..even a little bizarre. I know I don't always have an opportunity to comment on everything. I have several big projects I am working on and I don't even have time to post my work. Hopefully that will change in the not to distant future. I kind of suspect the whole thing revolves around the poser not-poser head issue???? If so then it comes down to just a couple of things bud...be true to yourself....be honest and upfront about what you use when creating an image....and keep plugging along. You must maintain your integrity. If you lose that you've lost everything. Keep building your skills with ZBrush and keep posting. Not everyone is going to like what you do. There are 4 billion people on this planet and you can't please everyone all the time. Eventually you will build up a presence...people will see your work and say "hey, that looks like Cal's work" then you will know you have been successfull at getting your work viewed. Just keep in mind that whatever you post be honest about the techniques you used and how you achieved it. People will respect you for that and will have an easier time accepting your work. Keep up the great work. Peace bud!

[Nova]

Yo Cal,

Yes I have also been interrested in the roots of ZBrush.

Oh and about not posting on your threads, well I can only speak for myself and I am with cameyo here, hmm lemme see work, wife, two boys, one daughter.... yes, that about covers it :D

Oh and unfortunately I am not an insomniac like you he he.

I think it is called Zbrush because the z in Zbrush replaces the z's you would be getting at night.

[Zoid]

I think Mentat7's statement is very well put. Integrity is everything, mostly for yourself, but also so that others don't get discouraged. Caliban, I look at everything you do and I hope you keep posting. I wish I had more time to comment on everything. It's hard to see when someone gets discouraged by a lack of responses to their postings. Pixolator himself once posted an image with a tutorial (http://www.pixolator.com/zbc-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=1&t=000191) which only got one response. I don't think that meant that people didn't like it. Where would ZBrush be if he got discouraged and gave up. Don't feel bad.

As far as the invention of ZBrush goes, this reminds me of one of my favorite movies, "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory" The fascinating mystery that surrounds a creative genius.

[Caliban Tiresias Darklock]

Guys, guys guys. I wasn't referring this to everyone. It was more to about 5 certain people. My apologies, I should have been a lot clearer.

It doesn't bother me; it also doesn't upset me; not much does to be honest. I was merely stating that it sometimes seems like a wasted effort when I get private messages telling me to "keep my **** off the board"


Mentat, bizzarre as it may be I've gotten frequent PM's, I think around 7 or so to date. It's very childish, and down right annoying. So to those people; if you want to act like ignorant children, go wade in the kiddie pool and stay the hell out of my hair

:D :D :D

[Kathy]

Hey Cal, you can put these people on your "ignore" list on the PM side of your profile. It's just a click of a radio button and you are done.

Then you can block their annoyances from your life. ;)

Of course, if they should email directly, you can set up rules in Outlook (I'm assuming you are using it) to delete their stuff the second it hits your inbox.

Kinda like a cybersnuff. :D

[Mik]

I think you name and shame so we can avoid their work too, if they ever post any.
Whoops, it'll be me next! ;)

[Mentat7]

I don't think it is necessary to go into a flame ware over this. Nor is it necessary to instigate boycotts. We are all here to learn, inspire, and experience the viewpoints of others.

[Caliban Tiresias Darklock]

Mik; I'm not posting names. There's no point to that. All it will do is cause distruption within the board. Somthing I personally don't think any of us want.


Kathy; Thank you; Duh! *smacks himself in the head* Why the heck didn't I think of that :P


Mentat: Agreed. 100%.

Caliban: Stop talking to yourself.


=P

[Mik]

Sorry M7,Cal, its been a looooooooong day.
I'll be feeling less
:mad: tommorrow.

[Slosh]

Cal, try not to be offended ('cept the ones you mention, that is downright rude). For myself, I notice that you post A LOT! So it is really hard to respond to everything you put out there, but I still look at everything. And as Mentat7 said, your work will be recognizable (already is, actually. I can usually tell by the thumbnail that it's one of yours) As far as sending you PM's, I think the people who were upfront with you when they disagreed are the only ones whose opinions should matter, and even then, they shouldn't matter, myself included. You do what makes you happy. Period. If I, we, or whomever, doesn't want to look at something on this forum, all we have to do is move to the next. As I've mentioned before, you've got a heck of an imagination and the ability to put it all together, so as Mentat7 says, just be straight about what you're doing and all will work out.

[thelonious]

It's probably called ZBrush because Z is the depth axis.

[DM]

I think Ron, Mentat, Slosh and Zoid all have good points and I would follow Kathy's advice on the personal message problem. I prefer to say things out in the open, even if I do get condemned for it, obviously from what you say about the private messages, some people are not prepared to risk that.
I think as far as responses to your posts, I would say you have generally done very well, I’m not particularly a fan of monster pictures, (although I did do one Dracula image). Generally I wouldn’t comment on that genre, unless perhaps to encourage a newbie on their first post. As has been said not everyone has the time to comment on everything, and there are times when I don’t visit the forum for a few days. We have all had disappointments, and I have not put on anything like the amount of images you have. There have been times when I have felt that Poser works get more responses than an all Z work that has possibly taken ages to produce. I have seen all Z stuff on the forum that would lose most of us for ability, go down the page with minimal responses and wondered how the artist felt. That’s peoples likes and dislikes we can’t change that. Integrity is an important point people don’t like to be treated as fools, its something to always keep in mind.
On the history of Z, I think it’s a good idea but I doubt you will get a response while they are working on the new version of Z.
Dave :)

[Caliban Tiresias Darklock]

Thanks dave..

I know you speak your mind; hence why I respect you and your opinions :)

[Muvlo]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR> On the history of Z, I think it’s a good idea but I doubt you will get a response while they are working on the new version of Z. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

You've got it DM! I bet they'll want so much not to have to do the history that they will constantly be working on new, better, and greater versions of ZBrush!!! :D

And Caliban, I too am guilty of not replaying to your posts, but not you because you are you, just because I can't comment on most posts. I have to much sleeping/school to do. But keep posting and enjoying the stuff here!

[Gerlon]

Well I personally would like to hear the early history of ZBrush, once working versions come out it would get boring. I would like to know stuff like where the initial idea came from, where the name came from(thelonious is probably right), etc. Also btw Cal I believe I have looked at every pic youve posted on the forum. I really can't think of many people in this forum who would actually tell someone to stop posting, unless that person was a flamer or spammer, which you aren't.