Well Zbrush 1 was only about $250 when it was released? and it had more new features than Mudbox does. So I dont see why the employees at Skymatters Mudbox studios would have any problem getting paid. In my opinion they would sell far more copies of the product if it was released at $300 for the commercial version so that would actually boost their profits.
Julian_K
I would not mind seeing a screen capture of the UI if possible?
Lemo
From some info I gathered you can upgrade from the non-commercial to the commercial, but until skymatter states the info on their site, I am not certain.
hope this works.
Attachments
Thanks
I agree about the pricing. Its called skimming pricing, you usually do that if you have a technical advantage over your competitors. Bad choice, their marketing people need glasses: From blender to modo to hexagon to silo to almost every application will have sculpting tools soon. Its only a matter of short time until they are finetuned.
Pixologic has seen that already a year ago, thats why we have to wait now (because they want to keep their technology to be advanced over others). Mudbox prices will drop very soon… if they want to make profits. 300 for a non commercial edition … thats what id maximally pay for the pro version…
http://www.mudbox3d.com/faqs.html
It says you can upgrade from non-commercial to commercial for $395.
But that would mean you have spent a total of $694! which is actually $45 more than the selling price of the commercial version. They really do seem to be trying to skim as much money off of the artists as they can.
I can only imaging how much the are going to charge for upgrades!
I think for now Skymatter is riding the fact that Zbrush 2.5 is not out yet. Once it is they will need to look at their pricing.
The problem is also that you will only get updates when you pay 55% on top for a year. And that is not including the non commercial version. For 300$ you get whatever they have currently. All very fishy to me. I cannot justify any dime flowing to them.
Lemo
Mudbox 1.0 was released friday the 15th.
Skymatter Releases Mudbox 1.0
Highly anticipated debut of high-end sculpting software developed by professional computer artists.
Toronto, Canada - 15 December 2006 - Skymatter, a 3D software company founded by computer artists from Weta Digital and Electronic Arts, announced today the first public release of its highly anticipated sculpting software, Mudbox. After two years of production testing with several of the largest film and game companies, Mudbox is now available for purchase.
Mudbox is the first high-resolution, brush-based sculpting software built from the ground up for the professional sculptor. Used on major productions by leading visual effects, game development, and toy manufacturing companies, Mudbox offers a powerful and friendly toolset for sculpting “movie star” quality 3D characters, creatures, objects and environments.
“Mudbox is quite simply a brilliantly designed, easy to use brush-based modeling package. It’s a pleasure to use,” says Sven Jensen, a senior Character Modeler at Academy Award®-winning Tippett Studio. “It’s obvious that Mudbox is designed from the ground up by professional modelers. There’s no other explanation for getting it so right.”
Mudbox 1.0 introduces powerful new concepts such as true 3D Layers, which allows artists to organize sculpted forms and details on separate layers; and innovative mirroring technology, which enables artists to sculpt symmetrically on asymmetrical or posed models. “The freedom of multiple layers combined with an innovative toolset has drastically increased our production and iteration times,” says Rich Diamant, Lead Character Modeler at Naughty Dog. “I can’t imagine how we would survive without Mudbox in our production pipeline.” Kenneth Scott, Art Director at Id Software, agrees, “Smart interface and production-minded tools have put Mudbox on the top of our Character production Arsenal. It was indispensable day one.”
Pricing and Availability
Mudbox 1.0 is available now for purchase and download at www.mudbox3d.com. Mudbox 1.0 Professional pricing starts at US$649. Floating (network) seats and Gold Support options are also available. A noncommercial version, Mudbox 1.0 Basic, is available for US$299.
About Skymatter
Skymatter Limited, a 3D software company founded by computer artists from Weta Digital and Electronic Arts, is committed to providing real solutions for the high-end visual effects, gaming and design industries.
Skymatter founders, Tibor Madjar, Dave Cardwell, and Andrew Camenisch met while working on The Lord of the Rings, and in 2004 were inspired to create powerful and friendly digital sculpting tools. Co-founder Tibor Madjar explains, “We were working as artists on very demanding film projects and were in extended contact with software companies, sharing a vision for the tools we needed.” But many suggestions were not being implemented. “We felt like the tools should be heading in a different direction,” continues co-founder Dave Cardwell, “so we decided to develop our own.”
Skymatter is excited about the future. “Mudbox 1.0 is really only the beginning,” co-founder Andrew Camenisch adds. “We are artists first, and now we’re making the tools we always wanted.”
Yea I just found out 5 min ago when my m8 had sent me some images. Looks great.
But! No rendering, mesh creation, texturing. Its good at what it does, detailing huge poly meshes, faster, more room. Zbrush 2.5 needs to come out prety soon I think. I use Zbrush for texturing as well as detailing so im not going from Zbrush just yet.
the only thing that bothers me is that it still has many bugs and stability issues with several hardware. it is a release candidate and it should not have all these issues.
as for the price, i think they are targeting mostly the high level production artists and not the hobbyist (which may be a little bit elitist behavior in my opinion)
anyways, i am still inclined towards Zbrush because i have gotten too used to the zbrush interface and i actually found mudbox interface to be intrusive towards my zbrush mind flow.
finally, seeing how an early released and rushed software like mudbox can be so buggy i would rather wait for Pixologic to take their time and release a wonderful and bug free release.
Here is a super deal:
Cinema4D V10 for 600$. New 890$ from Maxon.
Why? I have a license left. I bought BodyPaint a year ago, then I bought Cinema4D used. Now I upgraded to Cinema4d V10 and that includes Bodypaint…
Now Maxon made me the great offer to sell my license as:
BodyPaint V10 for MAC or PC
BP V10 is the same as C4DV10 but a bit different goodies coming with it/painting related). This version is not out yet and you would have to wait till maxon can deliver it (couple of weeks). But the license transfer can happen already.
or
Cinema4D V10 for MAC or PC as long as the BodyPaint Variety has not been released. This is available right now.
You save 300$ for an exceptional Package containing a full blown modeler (excellent), Animation, Renderer, and 3D painting. The 3d Painting is amazing as you can paint in all channels (bump, specular etc… at once.) It also supports PS brushes which you can load. And texture painting etc. etc.
Let me know if you are interested!
Lemo
PS:Offer valid till 12-31-2006. Then the price will increase.
Mudbox, a disappointment:td:
No dime from me either.
Lemo
You appear to have every 3d package in production. Great price but I just blew my wad on new Nikkor VR lenses yesterday or I’d take you up on it. I need more software I don’t know how to use:o This is the most expensive, addictive hobby I’ve ever had. I love it
to be fair, Pixologic does something similar. if you buy the academic version of Zbrush, and then later choose to upgrade to the commercial version, it costs $50 more than if you were to just purchase the commercial version outright. and i know that Pixologic isn’t the only company to do this either, with academic versions or otherwise.
Mudbox…no demo? This is 2006…hey, thats not mud!!!
Well it looks more like that max and maya silly interface, its out of my box atleast, untill I learn xsi I am not trying it.
But no one replied to my previous question ?
Which software is good for making small 3d gif animations for games?
Lemo where are you ?
Well I’m going to wait until each is out. Right now since I own Zbrush, it has more training material, and I need to texture in zbrush (+PS via applink) and even sometimes render via zbrush the balance, even without layers, is tipped in Zbrush’s favor.
You can’t say with a straight face that pixologic isn’t inovative either- all most all of the features listed in mudbox were featured in zb a while ago.
As far as I can tell there is no re-typology tools in Mudbox- which is much need AND I’m looking forward to it in 2.5. That will be some seriouse freedom!
New free files in the Groboto Download area. Also .obj files which do not require Groboto.
http://www.groboto.com/
Enjoy
Lemo