Hopefully, there was effort put into smoothing out the rough spots so it’s easier to just pick up and use.
I totally agree with this!
Not being part of the ZBrush development team I can’t speak with authority, but I would doubt Pixologic uses non DirectX/OpenGL language as these are essential to the respective host OS. However, even if I am wrong and ZBrush does use a propriety graphics language, the Vista framework demands DirectX takes priority which is why mainstream 3D apps like 3ds Max, Maya and XSI are migrating from OpenGL to DirectX 10. More importantly, DirectX 10 is the only high definition graphics language currently in existence which suggests it is perfectly suited for the demands of ZB3.
My guess is ZBrush uses a tagged materials system much like Cinema 4D which provides it’s accelerated graphics display, but my point was that the current implementation of OpenGL - assuming that is what ZBrush uses - severely lags behind the capabilities of DirectX 10 and even worse, the current Apple implementation of OpenGL severely lags behind the Windows implementation.
If we assume ZBrush uses some form of implementation of OpenGL, then developing ZB3 for OS X 10.3/10.4 means having to exclude OpenGL enhancements currently implemented on the Windows platform. And if a propriety Apple developer like Luxology can’t get OpenGL enhancements to work properly on OS X 10.4, there’s little hope for someone like Pixologic.
Bottom line is Pixologic is entitled to use whatever graphics language it deems appropriate, but it would be nice for users if every developer used the platform standard and that standard is DirectX 10 for Windows and OpenGL 2.1 for OS X.
Yes indeed it is a matter of manpower. I would very much doubt Pixologic is the cashed-up multinational developer someone like Adobe is and so Pixologic can only do as much as it’s resources will allow. And unfortunately for Mac users, Windows with it’s exceedingly greater user base must take priority.
It is perfectly reasonable to anticipate that development of ZB3 for Mac won’t begin until after 10.5 is released. Priorities would reasonably be ZB3 (Win) release in May, ZB3 (Win) bug-fix in July/August, then ZB3 Mac development sometime after that. And given that Mac users with the hardware able to support ZB3 will have Intel/Macs, a 6 to 12 month time frame while disappointing, is not unreasonable given that Windows is an option for most Mac users.
However, the Mac landscape has changed. Most new Mac users like me are ex-Windows power users who are here solely because Apple makes 8 core Xeons and has promised to deliver a true 64bit no holds barred Unix OS. We have no time for incumbent Mac users with their Mac-Mini’s, iMacs, and obsolete OS’s and expect Apple and third-party developers to deliver us bleeding-edge 64bit apps far in excess of anything MS has planned. And if developers like Pixologic fail to deliver on OS X, we will run Vista on our Intel/Mac hardware making future development of a Mac version of any app commercially unviable.
ZB3 (Win) was developed when XP was the official Windows development platform and will be migrated to Vista if not on release, then soon after. ZB3 (Mac) will be developed when OS X 10.5 64bit is the official Mac development platform and therefore we expect ZB3 to be 100% OS X 10.5 compliant and exclude obsolete 32bit OS’s like 10.3/10.4. If not, we won’t buy it and Mac zealots with their ‘I’ll never use Windows’ attitude will be the losers.
However, the bottom line is if you need the capabilities ZB3 offers, then you will buy the hardware/software able to support it. If you are unwilling to buy the necessary hardware/software, then obviously you don’t need ZB3 bad enough to justify continuing to waste your time here. And typical of Mac users, my 10 bucks says come May 15th, 80% of Mac users will transfer their licenses to Windows making it extremely difficult for Pixologic to commercially justify development of a Mac version of ZB3 even if it is currently their intention to do so.
Has Zbrush changed from 2.5D to 3D yet?..just curious
thanks
mh88
well, AFAIK ZB2 didn’t use any 3d acceleration whatsoever. I don’t know for sure what’s on the table for ZB3 but I’m certain that directx10 will never be used. why would Pixologic lock themselves to vista? furthermore, if you want to get the best possible performance out of your hardware (and lets face it, if you do 3d you really want that) then why would you ever want to run vista which uses up a ton of resources just for the os itself? if they use any 3d acceleration this time around (which I doubt, since using hardware 3d acceleration places alot of constraints on the type of solutions/tricks you can do when displaying and manipulating 3d geometry and Ofer has proved himself to be a wizard in this field), then OpenGL is the only logical choice.
Please please? The demo for 2 works just fine in linux, well for thirty days. The actual program doesn’t for some reason though???
Very weird!
Please make it work with Fedora 6!
Mr Mowgli
Yeah would be nice a linux version
Hahaha, I feel for the Linux people, harder on tem than even OS X people. Of course you can run Zbrush under Linux with Parallels, at least on the Intel based systems. I have FC5 I should try it on, hhmmm, cool idea… 
I can’t wait for the tutorial video demos from some of our more accomplished pixolating brethren to show us just how this program works. Looks great!!!
Zomeone write a zbrush zcript with a day coutdown…quick!!! :lol:
The new ZBrush 3 looks absolutely amazing! That said, I am dissapointed about the wait for the OSX version. I actually bought version 2 thinking I was going to get the 2.5 upgrade before 3 was announced. I also have a new Intel iMac 24 with 2 gigs of ram and I am a little frustrated at how many times I have to force quit before it finally starts up. Hopefully version 3 will not follow version 2 in that regard ;). It’s great that the upgrade will be free, I just wish there was more of a solid date of when to expect it for us Mac users. It was a lot of money for what I make and even though what I previously mentioned - I love what it can do when I get it to run.
Thanks again for a great and unique application - when you don’t have to force quit and relaunch it. Also, there are some very talented artists on this site. One of the main reasons I visit this site every day. Thanks for all the hard work! 
We should be making hundreds of base meshes while we wait for zb3
MoonChild, follow the link in my signature for Intel Mac, near the end, as long as you have the latest update, the solution should be simple. Please post your continuing issues and/or success on that thread as well to help others.
What im seing throughout all the beta images is that they all seem to be using preview rendering only. This makes me think that theres somthink very special in the actual render itself. The Preview render is nothink short of fantastic, so what the hell will the actual finnal render going to be?
In case iv missed it somwhere is there a actual comfirmed rendered image shown other than the preview render? It looks like the preview render is better than the final render of ZB2. I know we will have to wait and see but whats your thoughts on it?
Well I can say the new renderer is stunning! Check out my beta images, the surfing cyclops is renderd with depth, aliasing, styled shader created with MatCap, shadows, perspective, oh hell, almost all things for fun.
Not sure if anyone has brought this up. I’ve read through countless posts and searched the thread, but can’t find anything on the subject. A slight fear popped into my head the other day while daydreaming of ZB3. What will be done as far as the practical manual? I purchase the boxed version of ZB2, which is a hell of a lot better than flipping through a PDF. Will purchasers of the boxed version receive a new box version and back up cd? The fact that it already is a free upgrade is beyond awesome in itself, but it was a curious thought of mine.
If someone has an answer to this that I overlooked, point me to the thread. Otherwise, I’d like to know if this is an issue that will even be addressed. 
I also have the boxed version and understand where your coming from if you have just perchased it. As iv had mine for just under a year, iv had good use out of it, so for me Id much rather have a huge upgrade for free than a minor update to keep my manual closer to ZB2. Zbrush 2 was out a fair while till the boxed version was made, not for getting the other versions of zbrush where there was no boxed version at all. I would be quite happy to pay for a new box for the new ZB3 being the upgrade was for free. I think its a little way off yet for a boxed version but who knows, it been in development for a good while now but the Mac version isnt ready so I dont think a box is on their minds. I had learnt 80% of what I know now from the PDF manual so I dont mind too much learning the extras needed. I think the boxed version of ZB2 was well worth it and is a nice collectors edition for me.
Yeah I hear ya Tez. I’m sure it would be a later date release. Just curious if it was even brought up at all. I too would much rather get that huge upgrade for FR :o EE! I’ve had mine over a year and was great as a starting point. I still even reference it to see if there were some things to strike a chord in assistance to different techniques. In all honesty, you’re on point. The forum in itself is sometimes a better learning tool that the manual and half the fun is figuring stuff out on your own through experimentation. I still pick up copies of general 3d program manuals. There’s just something about having that manual in your hand. I dunno. Maybe I just need to loosen the hell up and pull that diamond out of my arse. Anyway, only a month away… drool…
Sweet… Hopefully the Mac UB version won’t be far off. Looks like Im gonna have to installs Windows via Bootcamp in preparation of Z3.