ZBrushCentral

Just A Few Questions Before I Buy

ZBrush Usage Questions
#1

Hello everyone! My first post! :smiley:

I’ve been looking at various programs to create 3D models for games and ZBrush looks like a quick and easy way (compared to the likes of 3DS Max, Maya etc) to create detailed models. But I’ve just got a few questions before I take the plunge and buy it:

  1. The game engine I’m using needs 3D assets in X file format, can ZBrush export models as X files…?

  2. Say I’ve sculpted a detailed model, can I save the exterior details as a UV map with normal mapping and save the interior surface as a lower poly model…? If not then how would I go about bringing my model into a game engine without everything slowwing to a crawl…?

  3. Can I add bones and animate my model or will I need to do this in another program like 3DS Max or Maya…?

Thanks in advance for any help! :+1:

#2

1 no
2 yes, but if you export directly to a game engine you could have problems. It depends.
3 no

In any case you would depend of a 3d program as Maya or Max or similar that has a more general purpose than Zbrush. Each release you can do more with Zbrush and I would say that would be an error not to integrate it with your game pipeline, but it can not substitute a generalist 3d program. Its is not the same kind of program.

#3

Okay, thanks for that.

With regards to your answer to number 1) will I be able to export the model as any other model type such as OBJ or something similar…? I can always import it into another 3D modelling program such as Blender or 3DS Max (I’m sure I saw an X plugin for Max somewhere but Blender will do the job fine) and export it as an X file from there.

Number 2) was the potential dealbreaker but thought that it wouldn’t be a problem because this program is used in the game industry after all.

And number 3) I can always assign bones and use animation in another program so great! Thanks for that.

Now I just have to save up the cash to be able to buy it lol :o:laughing:small_orange_diamond:)

Thanks for your help, much appreciated!

#4

There is no problem exporting the model in obj or FBX. It simply won’t give you the detail setup for exporting that other programs have and could be necessary. For example it doesn’t smooth normals when exporting the mesh (unless somebody tells me how to do it in Zbrush) But it could be done in Blender after importing from Zbrush.

I certainly recommend Zbrush and other programs feel silly compared with it (included some of those generalist 3d programs) Simply be prepared for a bit quirky interface in a very powerful program.

#5

ZBrush has a trial version, so you can try it: http://pixologic.com/zbrush/trial/