ZBrushCentral

Ideal computer specifications/upgrades

ZBrush Usage Questions
#1

Hi there,

I’m in the process of upgrading a computer to handle high poly models and to perform functions on them without the crashes which typically happen. Can anyone let me know what the best specs/best changes I can make to increase the performance of the pc?

It’s currently a dell precision T3610 with an Intel Xeon E5-1650 v2 @ 350Ghz, 32 gb of ram and ssd storage.
I would like to know what specs (more cores, faster, more ram etc) will get the computer to handle the complex geometry and perform zbrush actions on it as it will be a worthwhile investment considering the amount of time wasted with crashing

Many thanks,

Mike

#2

Zbrush’s performance capability is most impacted by the CPU, and the amount of available ram (at least in the 64 bit version, anyway).

Crashing is a separate issue. Assuming you are working within the limits of your hardware (pushing the limits of your hardware with extreme file sizes and polycounts will result in program instability), if you are experiencing crashes, it’s probably due to a system configuration issue or a program interaction issue, and there’s no guarantee that different hardware will do anything about it. It could even make it worse.

Occasional crashes are to be expected in any graphics program, and files should be saved regularly. If you are crashing often, and can replicate the issue reliably, you should submit the issue to Support along with relevant system info.

#3

Thanks for the feedback Spyndel.
I’m definitely working on projects that are quite large scale (around 80 million polys) and I’m hopeful it’s not program instability. The reason I say this is because I have used zbrush on a fairly middle of the road laptop and the functions it can perform are roughly in correlation to the more powerful worksation that I use at work.
The offer is there to upgrade the computer that I use and I think it will help to do so. But I’ve been asked to spec a new one it but haven’t been too sure what will help. Taking into account the specs I have, could you recommend a great cpu+ram combo that will get the job done reliably? Hopefully they will go for it if it’s not ridiculously expensive…

Thanks again mate, much appreciated.

Mike

#4

If you are talking about working on projects that cumulatively number around 80 mil polys across multiple subtools, that should be no problem for ZBrush 64 bit. If, however, you are talking about single subtools with single meshes that number around 80 million polygons, then that is at the upper end of the program’s per subtool poly potential, and would likely result in increased instability on any system.

If the latter is the case, I doubt hardware is the issue, and you would probably be better served developing greater polygon efficiency in your workflow. There are few situations that should ever require meshes that dense. It should also be noted that the 64 bit version of the program (which is the only way you’d be able to hit that mark) is still officially beta software. The chief benefit of 64 bit zbrush is to be able to more easily work with larger files and greater numbers of subtools, not astronomical polycounts.

Otherwise, you can always benefit from a more powerful multicore processor in terms of how fast you can crunch operations in zbrush. With 32 gb of ram already, I think you’d probably see diminishing returns on that front.

#5

My guess is that when faster and more ram the better. I have 24 gigs and I run sometimes out of memory, specially when used in combination with other programs. When this happens the computer feels that has crashed. Even if it can recover after a while it could be better sometimes restart the computer. I would happily use more than 32gb for sure.

Besides that Zbrush a lot of times doesn’t crash but feels like it does because there is not feedback about if it is processing or has crashed. Windows simply says the program is unresponsive and if we want to close it. The windows is frozen but Zbrush is yet working even if nothing indicates it. With a faster computer you could reduce this uncertain times as the processing would be faster. But I would avoid something that is 10% faster but double of price. Sadly the computers have not increased dramatically the speed the last 4 years as they did before.

Obviously graphic card is not high priority for Zbrush as they don’t use 3d processor.

#6

Hi Spyndel and Altea,
Thanks for the feedback once again.
Spyndel to clarify I am unfortunately meddling with very high poly individual subtools and have been as efficient as I knowingly can to make the projects progress.
Sometimes the projects involve high definition and at a large scale. The patterns get cut on a high end MAKA cnc machine, then get sent off to foundries for casting. With all the processes involved, It’s essential that I get the detail necessary. Examples being things like morph target > create difference mesh and decimation master (to bring the file sizes waaaay down for cadcam software) become either hit and miss or downright unachievable at the scale that I have been working on. I do things like slice into polygroups (lots or them) then deci master> freeze borders> precompute > decimate > weld back but to no avail soo much of the time. I’ve used a trial of magics which does a great job of decimating but it’s quite costly and we don’t yet have a printer to warrant it.
Do you foresee an offical 64bit Zbrush5 coming soon? R7 seemed like a long time in the making, albeit a great one.
Altea, Given what per hr charge is, I think to gain 10 percent for twice the price would be a bargain if it works. I feel it’s slowing me down quite a lot sometimes and costing the company quite a lot in the long run. If zbrush doesn’t outright crap itself, I’m quite patient with it.
I get a lot of grief for not using surfaces like more conventional software but the truth is I couldn’t come close to doing what I can do with Zbrush. It’s absolutely incredible and the more I use it the more I feel this is the case. It’s becoming more apparent that I’m pushing it’s limit but I can cant stress how great It would be If a hardware upgrade would alleviate at least some of this issue.

Thanks again guys,

Mike