ZBrushCentral

ZBrush 4R7: Released!

ZBrush Announcements
#301

quote : Single User copies have a “Home Use” rule which allows them to be installed and activated on two computers (such as a desktop and laptop or a work computer and home machine), provided that both copies aren’t actually run at the same time
This is about the Keyshot Bridge and not about Keyshot for ZBrush.

Pixologic is responsible for the Bridge and - as I understand - allows it to be used on 2 computers (provided they are not running at the same time) just like ZBrush itself.

Keyshot (for ZBrush) is the responsibility of Luxion. All products of Luxion are allowed to be used on 1 computer only (unless you activate and de-activate).

In case you own already Keyshot (1 license, 1 computer for example laptop) and ZBrush (2 computers, for example laptop and desktop), I think you could buy the bundle (Bridge + Keyshot for ZB) and install the bridge on both computers and Keyshot on for example the desktop since already on the laptop … just an example. With that in mind that Keyshot for ZBrush only works with ZBrush and not with any other 3D software application.

That’s how I understand it but I might be wrong (wouldn’t be the first time). Since I bought the bundle and am waiting (support ticket) for the license key (I only received a confirmation of purchase, like some others) I asked the question about the above too … just to be sure.

#302

Jim-H KeyShot: To Buy or Not To Buy?
Hello Everyone,

Brand new user to Zbrush here.

I already have C4D and other 3rd party render engines. My plan was to use Zbrush to model/sculpt and bring meshes into C4D for rendering.

Is KeyShot mostly for Zbrush users that don’t have other rendering options? What are the advantages of Keyshot over bringing your model into another 3D app and rendering there? What are the downsides?

Thanks,
Jim

Speed and ease of setup are the only advantages in using Keyshot vs another rendering package. The live link system will allow you to update the geometry on the fly in your modeling application and easily send the update over to Keyshot. Setting up Keyshot to render is also far easier / faster than a traditional rendering system. It’s pretty much drag and drop materials and environments right onto your model.

However, that said, Keyshot is not as robust a renderer as many others are. This is the price you have to pay to keep things fast and simple. Mental Ray, V-Ray and Brazil are the renderers I’m used to playing with. They are all very powerful and have rather steep learning curves to get a decent image out. In these systems we spend a lot of time setting up materials, lights and tweaking LOTS of options down to several places to the right of a decimal point.

Similar options are present in Keyshot, but not as many of them and certainly not at the detailed level you’ll find in the mainstream rendering systems.

In my opinion, Keyshot is designed for concept artists or to mimic studio photography for a product. It lacks the complexity and diversity of other rendering systems, but it makes up for it with ease of use and speed of setup. It is very easy to use but if you have experience with other rendering systems, you may miss some of the capabilities you’re used to having at your disposal.

Also note that Keyshot is a CPU based rendering system. It will make use of however many local cores you have on your machine ( unless you buy the network rendering addon ) but it is still limited to CPU rendering speeds only. As you crank up the quality settings, your rendering times follow right along as expected. ( For those of you spoiled by the GPU rendering systems out there )

#303

Hi Jim-H,

Is KeyShot mostly for Zbrush users that don’t have other rendering options?

No. The the intern ZBrush BPR Renderer is really great. Just check Zbrush Central and you will find some amazing examples.
I did this rendering full in ZBrush 4R6 https://www.artstation.com/artwork/bughunter (i know it as shameless selfpromotion:cool:)

What are the advantages of Keyshot over bringing your model into another 3D app and rendering there?
Speed is a big advantage. And the price is really great in comparison to the FULL Keshot HD Renderer. And Keyshot is a really great tool to use it. I tested it for a while. Great to use and in most cases self-explanatory. If you wanna check out what is possible with ZBrush and Keyshot i highly recommend “3D Design for Production With Vitaly Bulgarov” (Gnomon Workshop) and of course the learning videos from Pixologic.

What are the downsides?
You only can use Keyshot for ZBrush by using the bridge. It is not possible to import some external mesh.

#304

Eldero wrote: In case you own already Keyshot (1 license, 1 computer for example laptop) and ZBrush (2 computers, for example laptop and desktop), I think you could buy the bundle (Bridge + Keyshot for ZB) and install the bridge on both computers and Keyshot on for example the desktop since already on the laptop …

That’s how I understand it and is what I’ve done.

#305

Is there a way to get a perfect 24 quad cube into zbrush without importing an OBJ I made in Maya? ALL of the Zmodeler tutorial videos start with a perfect 24 quad cube in the scene already, they don’t show how it got there at all. I’m basically ignorant to most of Zbrush’s extensive feature list, but I can’t seem to find it.

RIght now I’m making a cube in Maya and importing into zbrush, this seems incredibly unnecessary, and if I try to re-topo the cube 3D (which has poles for some reason…) it gets all sloppy.

Any help?

#306

Moderator’s Reply: You should have received a second email containing your download link(s). That email also had your serial number and the link to generate your license file. If you did not receive that second email and it’s not in your junk folder you will need to submit a Support ticket. Be aware that it will be several days before we can reply to that ticket, unfortunately.

Is that a bad joke? Waiting several days for a PAYED delivery? Shouldn’t such problems given priority? After all you got money, not like the free update. I know I will be mightily pissed if I have to wait several days for my payed download…

#307

The questions and troubleshooting thread for Zb4r7 is here:

http://www.zbrushcentral.com/showthread.php?191395-Questions-amp-Troubleshooting-for-ZBrush-4R7

You should take questions or issues there. I was scolded the last time I answered someones question in this thread. :wink:

#308

Just wanted to say, I waited until this morning after all the server stress issues had passed to download and activate r7, and purchase the Keyshot for Zbrush bundle from the store.

Everything went smoothly, and Zb4r7, ZBridge, and Keyshot for Zbrush are all activated and working without apparent issue.

Thanks Pixo!

#309

Thanks guys.

@nehumanuscrede
As a concept renderer, it is used in the early phases of a design. Does that mean you would most likely be bringing it into a more traditional renderer in a 3D app down the line and recreating the textures and scene there?

@mirojan
Really nice work!

It sure seems like a deal for ZBrush users, considering the cost of KeyShot HD. Since I’m new to ZBrush I don’t quite know the workflow yet.

#310

@ Dillster > Does it work then on both computers? Did you test it out already?

#311

Guys,

i am new to ZbrushCentral, dont expect alot of posts from me in fact i just made this account to let you all know what kind a great company we are dealing with here.

I had used Zbrush 4R4 back in Germany but then i moved to Japan to study japanese and ended up staying here. I didnt use Zbrush even though i brought it on my Laptop. I didnt bring the Package with the serial number though, now i had some job oppertunities arising and used Zbrush more again and i was so excited about the new release but i couldnt upgrade since i dont know where i had the Package in Germany etc.

Anyway i explained my problem to the Support and ON THEIR MOST BUSY weekend ever (probably) i got a message with all the information i needed to do the upgrade!!

Best damn company ever! What a great community you guys have! Now lets enjoy the tools. I just told support that i would share this story since i am so amazed!

BTB: With the serial number i have now, changing the Computer in the future is no problem right? I mean as long as i deactivate it on the old one?

Cheers!

#312

Muzzletops…I sent you a private message with a method for the 24-sided cube. Didn’t want to catch a scolding for answering here…as I read someone else got told not to answer stuff like this in this thread.

#313

Jim, the benefits are speed of set up vs quality output, ease of use, high degree of Zbrush interactivity, and an appealing price point. If you are already well served by another solution it’s not a must have for you, although there are plenty of professionals who make use of Keyshot alongside more intensive animation oriented renders for stills and quick visualization. Going through the effort to set up a still shot in an animation package is time consuming and usually overkill. If you absolutely need the level of fine tuning a more complex rendering engine gives you for a project, there’s no substitute for that. But for the majority of the time where you just want a fast, pretty shot of something, Keyshot is great.

It’s a CPU based renderer, but Zbrush is a Cpu based app, so chances are if you’re optimized to run zbrush well, you can run Keyshot well too. The high degree of interactivity adds a close to real time render preview function to Zbrush for rapid feedback like some other programs benefit from.

If you’ve been getting along fine without it, then don’t sweat it. But there’s a demo for Keyshot. Try it out for yourself and see if you feel it offers you anything, rather than take other peoples word. You won’t get any of the Zbrush interactivity without ZBridge, but you can get a feel for the types of things Keyshot does well.

#314

Anyone else waiting for the Keyshor for Z and Bridge emails? We are supposed to receive a second email but I haven’t received even the first one!

I am not the only one, so it appears this issue might need more attention than just individual support tickets…

#315

For how long will this special price for the Keyshot last?

#316

Yep, just click any PolyMesh3D(like that Star) tool, then go to Tools >> Initialize and pick QCube and draw that out. Be aware that the cube/sphere/cylinder you create will replace the PolyMesh3D tool if you don’t pick a built-in. I wish they would just make them real tools instead of that Initialize hack.

#317

@ TEvans … moderator somewhere mentioned they don’t know yet how long the special price will last. And added to this that they will announce the end of this special price at least 2 weeks in advance so nobody will be caught by surprise :slight_smile:

#318

Go to site purchase bundle, credit card ok. Order complete.
Now.
Do I get sent links to downloads?
or
Are downloads on the actual site?
Thank you

#319

Dave Meraggio Anyone else???
Anyone else waiting for the Keyshor for Z and Bridge emails? We are supposed to receive a second email but I haven’t received even the first one!

I am not the only one, so it appears this issue might need more attention than just individual support tickets…

I am in the same case i have bought it yesterday night and i still didn’t recieved any emails even in my spam box.
I a first time i thought they will send me an phisical copy on CD by the post office, that is why i have not put attention of that…
So now i think i will submit a support ticket. :cry:

#320

Dave Meraggio,

I paid and I also did not get any mail.
I wrote a ticket to support, but all day long I have not received any response.
It is rather disappointing.