What are the chances of zBrush eventually supporting character animation tools? I watched a zBrush 1.5 timelapse vid (before it was yanked from cgtalk), and it seems like these zSpheres would almost be able to replace bones. Also, skinning would be a snap with the way zSpheres cause joints to sort of “auto deform”. I think it would be neat if you could key zSphere rotations for character animation. I am seriously considering purchasing zBrush 1.23 (so I can get the free 1.5 upgrade), but I figured I should ask about the possibility of future animation tools first. Thanks
Heh heh… Well, I’d love to know more about those tools, but it sounds like something you’re not supposed to talk about (they yanked a video?). Actually, I just got zbrush a week or so ago, haven’t got past the tutorials yet, but only because I’ve been gawking at others’ work for the last year or so. I bought it for the upcoming release as I’d seen the mention on 3Dlinks detailing the multires character tools (and the price increase!). I’m set to get 3DRad (or maybe DBPro) and use zBrush, nendo and anim8or to get into some game design or something. I haven’t quite got the hang of the grey area between 2.5d and real 3d yet, but I imagine all of that’s going to change with 1.5 anyways…
Although I can’t say what future plans are for program features, I can say that even without ZBrush ever becoming an animation package it still offers plenty of features for animators.
ZSpheres will provide an extremely easy way to create full-body meshes with really great polygonal placement. KenB talks in this thread about using bones in LightWave to pose a figure created in ZBrush.
In addition, ZBrush is excellent for creating morph targets, which can be applied in other programs. And thanks to the TextureMaster, it has powerful 3D texturing features that give much more expensive programs a run for their money.
So whether ZBrush is eventually given animation tools or not, I suspect that it will still become a valuable part of many animators’ toolboxes.
Incidentally, the Make-A-Wish thread is still alive and well. The R&D team is very responsive to your feedback and suggestions, so it is within your power to ask for such features. 
Just remember: one wish per member!