I’m looking at getting Z3 for the MAC- anyone have an opinion if it runs better on a PC or MAC? I’ve been PC based for years, but they only have Linux and MAC at my work. I could probably get them to make an exception, but I don’t want to wait it out. The MAC is a dual 2.7 GHz G5, with 2 Gigs of Memory, OS X. I need to create models with about 1 million or less polys- I’m guessing it will work out fine, but any feed back is appreciated.
Craig
Did you search the forum?
You can’t run ZB3 on that machine (PPC) as of yet. If it was a Intel based processor you would be fine, either with BootCamp or Parallels running Windows. No universal binary for PPC as of yet.
I’ve posted quite a bit as have others on performance, etc. For what you want, things will rock - if you have an Intel based processor Mac. 
I used one of the first 17" MacBookPro’s (maxed out) throughout beta testing, with Parallels running Windows XP (all latest), with tablet and I had models in excess of 48 million polys.
Have fun…
So- does Zbrush offer version 2 still for older MACs- do I need to convince them to get a new machine- or can I just wait?
You would have to try [email protected]
I’d go fro the new machine, the new iMac’s are sweet! Get all the RAM Apple can pack in, don’t go cheap.
We are quite a few month’s away from a Universal Mac version from what I hear.
It’s upto you. I’d suggest buying for yourself and using at the office, then you benefit… 
Yeah- I love the idea of buying the best computer money can buy… but I do have to convince them to buy it for me. I can’t even buy it myself and then bring it in- the IT police have already busted me for doing that. It looks like they are going to go with a dual boot of Windows/Linux… but maybe in the future. Thanks for your help.
Craig
I have a MacBook Pro that I have been thinking about installing Windows with BootCamp just because I can’t wait until the Mac Version comes out. I didnt know you could run Z3 using Parallels. You guys say it works pretty well?
Is this what you are using:
http://www.parallels.com/en/products/desktop/
It would certainly be a lot cheaper than having to buy XP pro and take up less HD space.
Yes joeman70, been using ZB3 since early beta on Parallels on my first generation MacBookPro without any issues. Also run 3 flavours of Linux and 3 of OSX. Enjoy.
Of course if you like rebooting, BootCamp works.
Zmapper does not run in VMware. Don’t know if Parallels users are having the same problems with ZB3.1.
-K
I have been having difficulty getting zbrush2 to run on my daul quad mac pro, in fact it will not run at all. The manager at zbrush contacted me personally and gave me his cell phone number. Subsequently, a very knowlegeable individual named Jason contacted me, and spent a considerable amount of time helping work through my problem. I am confident they will find a solution. Never before have I encountered such dedication and integrity. Thank you Jaime and Jayson. I am going to stick with zbrush. To awnser your question, the universal binary mac pro combination will be unbeatable.
Is there any thread talking about this… the SEARCH ENGINE ignores anything under 5 letters… funny how that excludes MAC!!!
Updates for the PC version are already out… sounds like nothing is being done in the Mac arena… =(
There’s a whole thread about Zbrush 2 specifically not working with Intel macs. The memory management of Rosetta (intel macs emulator for non intel apps) conflicts with Zbrush 2’s memory management.
There is some sort of iffy work around.
So Zbrush runs on Linux- is there a thread for this? I’ve seen lots of people requesting it- but I didn’t know it actually ran on Linux. What kind of setup would I need to run it on Linux- does it run on RedHat?
I don’t think he meant that he’s running ZBrush in Linux, just that he’s able to run multiple “flavors” of Linux via Parallels.
:o Oops. Well that sucks- I felt like someone had just told me that tomorrow was Christmas or something.
I have another quesion regarding my switching to MAC. I’m noticing my hotkeys not to be where I expect. I’m going to see if I can get a plugin for MAC- but is there a hotkey list available anywhere? I will use the control button for now (I miss my right click brush settings).
Craig
If you own a mac and you are serious, you should take a good look at Modo. I did, and I bought it. They used a daul quad mac pro for the demo. I recomend that you download the Modo 301 demo video. Modo organic sculpting in 301 is very powerful. Modo runs flawlessly on my mac without buying any Mickey Mouse crap.
BUSHDA
Huh? Sure- I hear good things about Modo- but its a little off the topic. That is like me asking a question about swimming and you tell me to try biking instead. I have nothing against Modo- but its kind of weird to be at the Zbrush Website- asking questions about Zbrush- and get a commercial for the qualities of Modo.
PC for ZB3 without a doubt.
ZB2 and ZB3 doesn’t run natively on current Macs and the plausible “solutions” (Bootcamp/Parallels/VMware) are weak at best. (I’ve tested all three thoroughly on both a quad-core MacPro and a top-of-the-line 4GB RAM Core2Duo Macbook Pro.) Yes, you can get ZB3 to run on a Mac (sortof) with significant limitations on Memory (Usually 2GB), significant difficulties to get a tablet to work, and with several unusual behaviors that PC users don’t have to and wouldn’t put up with.
I think BUSHDA is entitled to his opinion (I happen to concur), to wit: If you want a sculpting/modeling experience that is more Mac firendly, there are other choices. He was merely pointing out one alternative.
So, the decision comes down to this: Are you commited to ZB3 as your modeling/sculpting tool of choice? If so, get a PC with as much memory and CPU horses as possible. If you would preference is the Mac platform, then you should investigate other choices, as ZB and the Mac are not the best of friends.
Some here will tell you that ZB is the only way to sculpt; that is simply not case. The analogy about swimming and biking is a little askew. May I suggest that the discussion is more about the backstroke versus the butterfly and what size and shape pool do you need? 
Kerwin
Thanks for the info. Yes- everyone is entitled to thier own opinion- and I think asking the question if it has to be Zbrush is a good question. The answer- yes, it has to be Zbrush. I thought the offering of another program was off topic, because it wasn’t what the thread was about. I hope you will forgive my attempt of keeping things focused. You probably already read in the thread- this is a company decision- not for a personal computer- which means I have to consider many factors. If this were a personal decision, I’d probably be more open to advice off topic. Thank you once again for your opinion. Now… at home, I’m use a PC… but I have a MAC as well… so maybe the Modo advice will be useful after all 
I’m in the same boat for ZB3 (even though it’s my company.) I hadn’t gleemed that it was definitely ZB decision. In the long haul, you’ll be happier with PC’s for ZB3 (and I’m a Mac guy.) I’m adding a couple of PC’s to work environmnet to support one of my guys who’s a big ZB user. However, I’m not thrilled about it, but keeping ZB working at top notch on the Mac with tablets (and all our sculpters/painters/detailers use tablets or Cintiq’s) is too much of a hassle. Go for something with at least a couple of solid cores, a decent graphics card, and at least 8GB of RAM so you’ll be ahead when you want to go 64-bit. (I’m still recommending Win XP SP2 32-bit with 4GB of RAM as the most stable ZB3 config I’ve found.)
Boxx is overpriced in my opinion, but this would be sort of what I’d be looking for if I were you: http://www.boxxtech.com/Products/3DBOXX/4500_Overview.asp
-K