Was just noticing one of the new features in Photoshop CS4 was painting/editing of 3d models in a fully 3d environment. Has anyone tried this yet? How does does it work?
No, but I used the CS3 3d stuff a little, and it was lame. Photoshop is a 2d raster editor, so It seems Adobe is running out of development Ideas and is throwing in new useless features to justify their ridiculous upgrade path.
In my opinion Adobe should focus on improving code and strengthening the features it already has, which granted they actually have done with CS4, 64bit, OGL capability etc. So I’m not slamming PS CS4 as a whole.
Tried it, didn’t like it. It’s basic, which may be OK for package design, but it’s not a good detailing tool. Bodypaint3D is the way to go for a Photoshop-like experience with 3D model detailing. Luxology’s Modo isn’t bad either, but if I’m going to go to a different experience, I’d just do my map detaining in ZB.
-K
I would like Photoshop to have a good quality 3D painting app, as it would mean less licenses for me to buy. But I can’t see it being as good as Bodypaint just yet.
Of course I would LOVE for ZB to challenge Bodypaint! 
You guys have to remember that everything with Photoshop is an evolutionary process. CS4 Extended is the first version of this option of manipulating 3d models and I’m sure with Adobe it’s only going to get better. That will mean working on solutions themselves or buying technologies to assimilate into the Creative Suite. Right now you can bring in the models, manipulate the maps (specular, bumps, etc.), change lights, etc. You can even bring that Photoshop file into After Effects now and use the 3d models there as well. It’s just the beginning.
You can even use it to create lenticular images with your 3d models: