New in ZBrush 3.1
ZMapper
Generate normal maps for any game engine or 3D program using ZMapper.
Displacement Exporter
Export 32, 16 and 8 bit displacement maps as well as convert grey scale maps to normal maps using Displacement Exporter.
New Brush controls
- Color Mask: Use polypainting on your model as a mask.
- Backface Masking: All polygons with their normals facing away from your brush will be masked off.
Refined Interface
The ZBrush interface has been redesigned. Related buttons are grouped into visual categories making it faster for you to work.
Poseable symmetry Poseable
Automatically create symmetry based on topology instead of world space.
User-Assigned Hotkeys
Assign your own hotkeys using a few simple keystrokes.
new brush palette with brush presets
new topology controls
Reproject Higher Subdivision Levels
Use Reproject Higher Subdiv to relax your mesh's topology and reduce polygon stretching
Core Features
ZBrush 3.1 gives you access to unparalleled power and control previously unknown in digital art creation software. Controls enable sculptors to create with a stylus and a tablet as intuitively as if they were using their hands on a block of clay.
ZBrush further extends the creation experience, harnessing technology and providing artists with a multitude of creation-enhancing tools.
Transpose
Posing your model is as simple as moving an action line. Create a mask to isolate an area, click and drag. It's no more complicated than posing a clay model with your fingers
Matcap
Matcap lets you apply real world texturing and lighting to your model. Sample a few points from your chosen photograph or texture; apply to your model, and seconds later you've got a model complete with texture and lighting
Perspective Camera
The perspective camera gives you the ability to apply perspective to your model, giving you the ability to adjust your focal length at will
Speed
Multithreaded support for up to 256 processors let ZBrush compute at the speed of your imagination
Higher Poly Count
Up to a billion polygons allow you to create objects with almost infinite detail
HD Geometry
HD Geometry allows you to divide your model to 1 billion polygons, and your system will only process the polygons visible onscreen
Topology
ZSpheres makes simple and fast work of creating a new topology. And the projection feature lets you shrink-wrap your topology to an existing model
Scripted Interface
ZBrush's integrated scripting lets you create an interface that suits your workflow and your needs. Move existing interface items as you like, or add entirely new buttons and palettes to your interface.
User Defined Alpha and texture Start up
Customize your environment with the alphas,
textures, materials and plug-ins you use most
New Movie Palette
Create, view or export ZBrush tutorials, movies, turntables, models, and even time-lapse videos of your sculpting process
64 bit support
ZBrush takes full advantage of your 64-bit system
Sculp
ZBrush 3.1 brings you the next step in sculpting, letting you create with shadows, alphas, providing you with a huge palette of brushes, and the ability to create even more.
This powerful, scriptable tool lets you control your sculpt as never before, Using a number of mimic materials, you can simulate gravity, create numerous variations atop your original, or even using your original geometry to give your model a whole new wardrobe. And if you're new to ZBrush, Rapid Start lets you dive into creating with the smallest possible learning curve.
3D Sculpting With Alphas
A powerful new feature; sculpt with any ZBrush alpha or your own. Add a whole new level of detail to your brushes. You may even choose to have ZBrush start up with your own custom alpha.
RealTime Shadows
Real-time shadows provide a level of visual feedback as you sculpt, giving you the ability to control the lighting conditions, seeing the lighting you prefer, and controlling the lighting conditions ultimately used in your model.
"Matcap" Materials
Sculpt using a number of mimic materials, including two flavors of red wax, pearl cavity and white cavity.
New Brushes
A quiver of new brushes lets you create as never before. And if the ones we include aren't enough, ZBrush lets you create even more.
Lazy Mouse
Lazy Mouse provides you with a way to control your curves and steady your hand, creating precise and controlled brush strokes. Effortlessly.
Gravity
Simulate wrinkles, age, wind, magnetism or other gravitational pulls.
Subtools
Subtools let the artist treat a single mesh as numerous independent objects, giving you the ability to create much larger structures than your system would otherwise permit.
3D Layers
Release yourself from a linear workflow, and work on as many versions, details and elements as you wish, in whatever order suits your process and your creation.
Mesh Extraction
Use existing geometry to adorn your model with a jacket, helmet, gloves, vest or whatever garments it may need.
Local Subdivision
Add detail to only the areas where you need it most, add local subdivision around an eye to create crow feet wrinkles, or a forehead to make creases, all while the remaining geometry stays lighter.
Lasso Tool
Create freeform selections with the Lasso tool.
Paint
ZBrush 3.1 releases you from the restrictions of traditional software, giving you the freedom to create the same way you have since you picked up your first crayon.
Paint directly on your model, on your canvas, or directly on a texture map you wrap to your model; switch seamlessly between ZBrush and your favorite image editing software. The options are as infinite as your imagination.
ZApplink V2
Integrate your image editing software into your ZBrush workflow. Use Photoshop's layer mask, to mask parts of your ZBrush canvas, save and load views, create layers, generate a character sheet with all views of your model, and that's just the beginning.
Poly Painting
Paint directly onto your model. If you like, you can transfer all your detail to a texture map when you've finished painting.
Cavity Masking
Achieve real-world effects of timeworn cracks and weatherworn crevices. Cavity masking allows you to automatically mask fine recesses so your work only affects the highest or lowest point of your model's surface
ZApplink Version 3
ZAppLink 3 is a ZBrush plugin that allows you to seamlessly integrate your favorite image editing software into your ZBrush workflow. Call up your image editing package while in ZBrush, use it to modify the active ZBrush document or tool, and then go straight back into ZBrush.
- Create New ZBrush Layers in Photoshop
- Store views for your model to be painted in your image editing software.
- Create ZBrush Stencils in Photoshop via selection tools
- Generate a character sheet with all the views of your model
- Mask out parts of the ZBrush canvas using Photoshop's Layer Mask
- Save and Load views
ZBrush 3.1 System Requirements:
Windows
Recommended
- OS: Windows XP
- CPU: Fast P4 or newer (or equivalent such as AMD) with optional multithreading or hyperthreading capabilities
- RAM: 1024MB (2048MB for working with multi-million-poly meshes)
- Monitor: 1280x1024 monitor resolution (32 bits)
Minimum System Requirements
- OS: Windows 2000
- CPU: PIII
- RAM: 512MB (1024 MB recommended)**
- Monitor: 1024x768 monitor resolution (32 bits)
Mac
Recommended
- OS: Mac OSX 10.4 or newer. Macintosh users can use ZBrush 3 via PC emulation software such as "Parallels", or Apple's "Bootcamp".
- CPU: Mac Intel
- RAM: 1024MB (2048MB recommended for working with multi-million-polys and when using Parallels)**
- Monitor: 1024x768 monitor resolution set to Millions of Colors
