ZBrushCentral

Zbrush 3 Suggestion

ZBrush Usage Questions
#1

Hi Everyone,

I must say after seeing the video, I am stunned with the upcoming release of Zbrush3, however I would like to pass a little suggestion that I am sure would be appealing to all Zbrushers including the guys at Pixologic on the upcoming release of Zbrush3 and it goes like this:-

What about Pixologic licenses us rather than the machines we use?

I happen to use Modo apart from Zbrush and Luxology have what they call ‘A User Centric Licensing Philosophy’ whereby I can download (through a user account) my personal licensed version of Modo and install it on any machine (Mac or PC), be it at my studio, in transit or at home and keep working on the project, without having the bother to purchase a second or third license (depending on the amount of machines one uses) and keep working according to my lifestyle. I have found that such a licensing system speeds up the work flow.

Regards

Fabian

zbrush3.jpg

#2

The license does already allow ZBrush to be installed on up to two of your computers, provided that both copies aren’t actually used at the same time.

#3

Thanks for your reply and honestly, I didn’t know that. In fact I have Zbrush installed only on a TiBook, which I carry around all the time due to the issue, restricting me to power performance (a slow down on million poly counts and over).

I have modo installed on a G5 dual 2.7 GHZ, the Tibook and two heavy speced PCs and I can run more than one copy at the same time on my network, especially when working on complex scenes.

However dual licensing is still not quite like the Luxology’s personal licensing philosphy, which if I am may suggest, it is a very good marketing tool, a further compliment to the all powerful Zbrush.

#4

I agree with this. It does get annoying especially as I am planning on getting a Macbook Pro but would have to purchase an extra version of Zbrush to run it on that while out of my home. I would really feel much more comfortable knowing that I could also run it natively on my Mac without the added expense. It does seem strange that I can have it installed on two pc’s or two Macs but not once on both. :smiley:

At the end of the day each company does things their way so I leave it in their hands.

Cheers

Mike R

#5

Interesting idea. I kind of like it as well. As I do have Notebook PC for work/travel and at home I do use Mac G5. It would be great to be able to have it at both…as currently all I can do is to wait for the day end to do my real sculpting :slight_smile:

#6

LightWave does this too. It’s the “treat it like a book” policy. The software goes where you go. In LightWave’s case, the software is tied to a USB dongle. You can actually install LightWave on a pen drive, then take it and the USB dongle wherever you go. It would be nice to see this flexibility in ZBrush as well.

#7

Seems that the idea is being liked. I do not have lightwave but modo works by downloading a version (Mac or PC) from the user account and you generate a downloadable licence at the same go.

Good to know that Lightwave has a similar do. Does it work on cross platform as well.

#8

You can always buy a second license and then install on 4 systems.
You have spend about as much as for Modo then. And… you can even sell it. Which you cannot with Modo. I don’t know about the other packages.
I can live very good with the cost of owning ZBrush. Considering the amount I spend, the flexibility in the licensing, and the free update ahead, ZBrush is the cheapest of all the packages I own compared to packages in the same class.
Lemo

#9

There is a restriction on the license though that would be nice if it were lifted. If you buy the windows or mac version you’re stuck with that. I recall something about letting the mac users become switchers (or reverse switchers for those of you who might remember apple’s old advertising campaign).

Why not just two installs, and it doesn’t matter on what platform?

#10

lemonnado,

What is being discussed is whether the licence is for the machine or the person.

Some companies licence the person to use their software where ever they happen to find themselves while others licence the machine.

I dont recall reading that anyone said booooo or ‘no fair’ to Pixologic for their method of licencing. :wink:

As you say, I dont know any other company that offers free upgrades like Pixologic does either. Was fantastic to hear v3 was free. For me personally on zero income (my aunt bought me my copy of Zbrush) I will always be after the freebie if possible. :smiley:

Cheers

Mike R

#11

I can see, maybe, having the two different MAC/PC versions sell separately, although many software companies with similar pricing get by just fine selling an OS independent license. I don’t agree with separate cost/licensing for MAC and PC, but I can at least see somewhat of a rational argument for it.

What bothers me the most about ZBrush is the "system" by which the license needs to be obtained. Just take the most recent problems with the 64 Bit upgrade. People had loads of trouble obtaining working licenses and wasted hours of their time on the phone, with emails, etc. Personally, I'd rather have a dongle if Pixologic is so concerned about software piracy, which is NOT stopped anyway by this time consuming, and somewhat confusing registration system, I can assure you. Here is a question that maybe the developers can answer. When ZBrush 3 comes out, if I install the 32-Bit version to upgrade my current ZBrush 2.5 32-Bit install, but then in the future I want to upgrade my PC to 64-Bit, am I now looking at having to buy a whole new license to do so? I searched the forum but was unable to find any information on this. Maybe it's just an assumed fact that you can switch to the 64 Bit install, or you get both automatically when you download the upgrade? ABC
#12

I would actually pay more for Zbrush if I could run it on whatever machine I am at, plus since I plain buying a Mac for my next computer it would be nice to be able to use it there too.

#13

LightWave uses a similar system to Modo. You have a user account and you can download different versions (64-bit Windows, 32-bit Windows, and OSX) as well as patches and updates. You generate a license file from the web which ties into your hardware dongle. So long as you’ve got the dongle, you’re free to use LightWave on any system you want. Purchasing a PC license gives you access to the Mac version and the 64-bit Windows version, which is reallly the way it should be. I’m still bitter that I had to purchase a SECOND copy of Photoshop when I switched from the Mac to the PC.

#14

The Mac version is available for a substantial discount for the Windows owners. I bought that a while ago. I also would have liked the second license for my mac laptop… But there is no way around. Now I have 4… Wheeeeeeeee!
Cheers
Lemo

#15

I agree, I’m a fan of the buy the software not the platform paradigm.

#16

Hello Again,

It is nice to read the various views on the suggestion I have raised on this forum. It is all true that Zbrush costs much less than the other software that I am comparing the license philosophy to, which is Modo

Pixologic has adopted a good marketing police by giving a free upgrade to Zbrush3 and for those who have a Mac License, like in my case, we could opt for a free Widows version due to the fact that now Macs with an Intel Core processor could run two operating systems at the same time, meaning one could boot either OSX or Vista. Let’s face it, Apple has made the best marketing move I have ever seen from a Hardware and Software supplier, hence creating the most compatible machine globally.

One could keep in mind another fact that the free upgrade to Zbrush3 bares a cost to Pixologic as coding costs, wages need to be paid, testing, etc. so I respect the fact that the upgrade to Zbrush 3 comes free.

Opinions on piracy issues, subsidized Mac versions licenses, OS independent, Dongle and free upgrades, etc. where mentioned, however I am of the opinion that a solid strategy to fight piracy is to counter it by giving a flexible package at a reachable price. Moreover, piracy is the concern of all software developers and somehow, like in the case of Luxology, they have found a way to continue and even promote the fact that they license the user not the machine, iconed by the image uploaded hereunder.

This would be nice if Pixologic could address this issue and I would like to see Pixologic views on this proposal.

licensing.jpg

#17

Something that will probably surprise you is that the single most pirated software package on the planet is: WinZip, with a price of $15

Please note: This does not reflect Pixologic’s stance or opinions. It’s a personal observation on my part. :wink:

#18

That is purely because winzip allow the application to fully run without any form of registration. The honour system of paying for something would certainly not be cost effective in todays climate. Too many thieves around the planet.

I would be very surprised if Zbrush was not up there in the pirated stakes though. Popular programmes get stolen is pretty much well known however angry it makes us. I know what this kind of theft does personally so dont think for one minute I dont get where any software house comes from. I never recovered from the theft of my application and it is a bitter pill.:mad:

However that is not what this thread was or is about. :wink: One small comment in an entire thread does not constitute a theme in this case. :smiley:

I understand what you mean though.

So what are your thoughts on whether the licence is OS based or purchaser based?

Cheers

Mike R

#19

Hi Again,

Zbrush’s $489 is not the Winzip’s $15 price. I hope that I was not misunderstood when I stated at a reachable price. For me Zbrush’s price tag is the ideal reachable price.

Let’s face it, Zbrush is a very powerful 3D application and it’s very worth paying for… and nothing is quiet like its digital clay.

Actually, should it have additional software, say the likes of bone rigging, animation, particles, lighting, liquid simulation, etc., (hence reaching a complete package) I would opt to totally use Zbrush and look no further. I assume that you, as my reader feel the same like I do, when it comes to, primarily getting acquainted with the software and then memorizing all the hot keys of the varied 3D applications, etc.

Should such materialize, I would be of the opinion that such addition packages would be priced separately like add-ons or plug-ins, whereby one buys the core which is Zbrush and adds to it according to his needs, hence keeping to the same workflow, short cut keys and not bother to flip displacement maps, etc.

With regards to the piracy issue, even the most advanced activation system that I know of got cracked and one could download it via a torrent, p2p, etc. I am totally against piracy and don’t support it at all as this leads to distraction of further development. In fact I recommend that developers should keep a watchful eye on the net and block uploading from happening in the first place.

Back to the original thread, Zbrush’s is well priced for what it offers and I still recommend my suggestion to Pixologic that we should be licensed to use Zbrush and not limit ourselves to the machines we use.