ZBrush 3.5 is out !!!! (New Update 9/14)

[3D Skillet]

Sorry if this is a double post

but here is the info :D

http://www.zbrushcentral.com/zbc/showthread.php?p=605970

[Codeman]

yeah I downloaded mine and have tried for hours to get it activated over the web and no luck. I even called to activate and the help desk person said they used the website just like us so they couldnt register it as well.

ALSO an FYI Pixo may have fudged this up. Instead of providing an installer, they are providing the software all zipped up. This makes installation over an exisitng directory crappy. My guess is they couldnt get the installer working and decided to release as is. Oh well. So many brushes.

[3D Skillet]

OK i finally got onto the support page

here are a couple of important things you should know

a. they are sending it to your email, and should be received before Sept 11

b. check your spam folder in your Email so b/c it is a mass Email it might get put there

[3D Skillet]

yeah I downloaded mine and have tried for hours to get it activated

guess this means I will have a little time to finish my personal project :lol:

[Codeman]

woohoo it finally went through.
O
M
G

drool. so many brushes..... :)

[3D Skillet]

I hate you :lol:

I'm still waiting for the Email ;)

[sinz]

W00t! new toys!

[Wynn]

wow thats sooner than i thought..

[cookepuss]

I'm practically bouncing off the walls waiting for my e-mail. The hard surface brushes would make what I'm trying to finish that much easier, without having to resort to importing objs.

Oh, well. I wait and I wait and I.... wait. :(

[seven]

I got my email but I'm at work :(

[Codeman]

Make sure you put the 3.5 in the pixologic directory and not try to merge with 3.1. I just found out that this is a stand alone app and not an update like I thought.

from pixo:
"When you extract the zip file you'll have a folder called 3.5. Place that folder in your Pixologic folder, next to but NOT inside of the 3.1 folder. Later you can copy specific files over from 3.1 to the 3.5 folder before you ultimately uninstall version 3.1. That way you can make sure that you have 3.5 set up just the way you want it before getting rid of the old version."

[seven]

installed perfectly for me... authorized perfectly... using it... the perspective view feels more like a real 3d app...... might take a little getting use to.

[Mrpearlzildjian]

Cannot wait...

[BigJohn]

Can't wait to get my hands on this. I've been checking out the new zClassroom stuff, and it seems real interesting. Especially the new zSpheres.

I'm really wondering if you can use these new zSpheres to quickly add new subtools. It could be useful for adding lots of different pieces to a hard-surface model, like you do with sub-div modeling.

[Lamont]

Man, I don't wanna fudge this up. I'll wait a few days.

[Codeman]

I just dove in and bought my new PC for this and now I can hardly wait again. :)

Dell Studio XPS 8000, Intel Core i7-860 processor(8MB Cache, 2.80GHz)
8GB DDR3 SDRAM at 1066MHz-4x2GB
nVidia GeForce GTX260 1792MB GDDR3
1TB Serial ATA II Hard Drive 7200 RPM
Microsoft Windows Vista SP1 Home Premium 64-Bit Edition
Samsung SyncMaster 2233RZ 22-inch Widescreen LCD Monitor
A3024278 GeForce 3D Vision Extra Glasses

I can't wait to try sculpting in the new ZB3.5 with 3D glasses.

[seven]

Can't wait to get my hands on this. I've been checking out the new zClassroom stuff, and it seems real interesting. Especially the new zSpheres.

I'm really wondering if you can use these new zSpheres to quickly add new subtools. It could be useful for adding lots of different pieces to a hard-surface model, like you do with sub-div modeling.

you can add new subtools with the new zspheres but it takes a little getting use to... the controls have a little bit of a learning curve... I'm working on a full body built off a unified skin with zspheres2... the mesh isn't as clean as I'd like it but it works once you pull it up to level 3 or 4.

[Draxxuss]

haha.. 3d glasses... let us know how that turned out! Just don't poke your eye out with your stylus!

[Lamont]

Just got the email with the link. Gonna have to go back on my word on waiting since the link will expire.

[Codeman]

haha.. 3d glasses... let us know how that turned out! Just don't poke your eye out with your stylus!

By all means I will. The glasses came as part of the Nvidia bundle (saving me over $500) and I am not even sure if they work with apps yet. Heck I dont know much about them except from the web. I think they can make almost any PC game into 3D.

[cookepuss]

Until I get my link..... Y'all suck! :)

[Codeman]

Here is another piece of news you all may not now about.

NONE of the plug-ins liike zapplink, decemation master, etc. work. At least according to Pixo. They said we would have to wait until all plug ins were updated for compatability. I was able to get a few working, but most cause ZB to not open.

[cookepuss]

I heard about that yesterday. What a shame. I use Image Plane, Decimation Master, & Subtool Master quite a bit.

Got my 3.5 yesterday. So all is right in the world though. Y'all no longer suck. :)

[Lamont]

I heard about that yesterday. What a shame. I use Image Plane, Decimation Master, & Subtool Master quite a bit.

Got my 3.5 yesterday. So all is right in the world though. Y'all no longer suck. :)Yeah, you're near the bottom of the list with the last name starting with "S". I heard T's got theirs yesterday too.

[seven]

I thought their lists went by tenure... so if you've had zbrush for ages... you got it first.

[cookepuss]

ZBrush 3.5 SR2: http://www.zbrushcentral.com/zbc/showthread.php?p=608695#post608695

[Marcus Dublin]

WTF, I just installed the app a few days ago and there's already an update! They should have just waited an additional week before going live with it.

Too bad the didn't include updates to some of the plugins such as Decimation Master. I guess we'll have to wait for the next set of fixes.:(

I will say that I'm glad they provided an option for getting rid of the annoying LightBox at the start up screen, that thing was so intrusive!:approve:

[cookepuss]

Could you have imagined the pandemonium if they waited another week? It was turning into a madhouse there. A MADHOUSE!!!! :)

The de/re-activation process takes all of 2 minute anyway. Not to much of a hassle.

[Marcus Dublin]

The de/re-activation process takes all of 2 minute anyway. Not to much of a hassle.

Yeah I just made the update, so far so good.:cool:

[Lamont]

I like this:
ZBrush activation code has been updated to be less sensitive to hardware changes.

[bin]

so.. any improvement on retopology / zmapper function ?

( too lazy to check on ZBC. not planning to have mine soon =P )

[cookepuss]

No changes on the retopo front. We don't knew what features ZB4 is going to have and that's (supposedly) only several months away.


Some of the features in ZBrush 3.5 are...

Multiple texture, normal and displacement maps per Tool (by using subtools), with enhanced displacement and normal map options such as native export of 32-bit displacement maps.
High-Definition displacement and normal maps from HD geometry.
Improved perspective with a floor grid.
Reorganization of the Tool sub-palettes to coordinate with selected SubTools.
The ability to merge all visible SubTools and optionally weld the seams.
The new PUVTiles mapping method, which represents the most efficient use of UV space yet.
PolyPainting and masking have now been enhanced to 16-bit from the previous 8-bit.
New navigation to work with the virtually unlimited zooming. Right-Click Navigation.
New sliders added to Project All, providing more control over your results. Memory management enhancements give the capability to subdivide your models to higher polygon counts.
New ambient occlusion masking, which can create an AO texture for use in other applications.


That doesn't include the new set of hard surface brushes, ZSperes 2, Lightbox, or some of the new import/export functionality.

ZBrush 3.5R2 contains the following new additions, updates and fixes...

NEW ADDITIONS...

New "Auto Groups With UV" option added which allows for auto-grouping by mesh (shells) and UV (islands) combined continuity.
Added option to allow object to rotate around its local center. To activate, press the "Align To Object" option in the Draw palette. Note: This button is stored when you save the custom config file.
Added a 2nd Flatten brush (similar to the Flatten brush found in version ZBrush 3.1).
A Preferences/LightBox option added to turn on or off LightBox at startup.

UPDATES...

Increased smoothing strength of the default Smooth brush.
Masking can now be applied with LazyMouse with or without Backtrack modes.
Increased the tolerance to mouse/pen movement when assigning Hot Keys.
The transparent button is now enabled even if the current tool contains only one subtool. This allows ghosted transparency to be activated when entering HD edit mode.
The sampling value of the ZProject brush is now zero by default.


FIXES...

It is now possible to generate adaptive displacement and normal maps even when the mesh is partially hidden.
The "Show Mask" option will auto-activate when applying masking in Transpose mode.
ZBrush activation code has been updated to be less sensitive to hardware changes.
ZBrush can now auto-group by UV Tiles even if the Tiles resides in the negative UV space.
Fixed the 2.5D Blur brush with ZAdd mode.

[darkfox]

Pixologic is turning into Autodesk here releasing updates to fix problems soon after they launch the app:lol:

[cookepuss]

Happens to every company now and again.

Plus, Pixologic released 3.5 a bit under duress, as ZBC dwellers are relentless. Would you rather that none of the bugs get fixed until v4? I think that, the few delays aside, Pixologic seems to be a bit more on the ball now than in the past.

Besides, it's free. Shaddup. :)


And, btw, that Autodesk remark sent shivers down my spine. :p

[cookepuss]

Overall, I think that we should probably all be more impressed that this is a x.5 release. Most companies... such as Autodesk... would have probably released 3.5 as 4.0 instead. For a x.5, it's monumental. Even the bugfix has new features.

[bin]

i won,t be impressed until i got mine first :D
i sometimes got little biased by ZB review out there ( too much fanboyism/worshipper :p )

but like cooke's said. it's free! so i don,t see a reason to not pick it :lol: ( later )

[ReplicA]

That's what bugs me, the fanboyism, and or worshiping. "It's free!" So that an open excuse for screwing up....

And I'm sorry, but since when have pixologic ever bowed to the "relentless" ZBC "dwellers"? They delete, and edit posts, talking negatively, or even asking questions they don't wanna hear. They're throwing this point release out to steal the thunder of MB 2010 (which has been VERY successful. I didn't even know the demo for 2010 was out, or that th release was right around the corner).

I'd rather pixologic had not given a release date they couldn't hit, IE, a release date at ALL till it was done and dusted, and ready for release. This phony hype machine, of fake release dates, handing out little (self felating) videos, it's all very tiresome. I knew they wouldn't hit the release date promised, cause they NEVER have hit a single release date on time. You call them on it on ZBC, post deleted or edited. You call them on it on other forums, "it's free, shut up!" All so very tiresome.

Don't get me wrong here, I love me ZB. It's the app I use all the time, for my modeling work. But the phony hype machine BS, the way they treat the people who ask questions, and those god awful self felating videos, really just piss me off.

[cookepuss]

And I'm sorry, but since when have pixologic ever bowed to the "relentless" ZBC "dwellers"?
Ask that next upgrade. Ask that next time they give you plugins that 3rd party developers might otherwise charge for. Pixologic may not be efficient, but they do cater to their customer base.

They delete, and edit posts, talking negatively, or even asking questions they don't wanna hear.
It's called "moderation" and that's what moderators do. It's not necessarily that they don't wanna hear it. It's quite often that there are a lot of cross-talking trolls and idiots who post worthless, space wasting garbage. Pixo deletes those posts because they have every right to. They also do leave up some of the negative stuff too, but not when people incessantly talk out of their asses.

Just like GA or any other such forum, ZB Central is a private forum. The rules of free speech do not apply. Sad, but true. They have every right to keep or delete posts that they feel are in the best interests of both the parent entity (Pixologic) or the forum community. Getting rid of posts that do nothing but bring down the community is indeed within the best interests. People don't like it? Tough. That's just the nature of the beast. Mods aren't there to be liked, even if that's occasionally the case.

They're throwing this point release out to steal the thunder of MB 2010 (which has been VERY successful
Sorry, but that's crap. Pixo rushed ZB 3.5 out the door. They know that they did. People pushed. They caved. They had no choice other than to admit that they were wrong. Hence the immediate release of the SR2 update. Companies do it all of the time. Maxon released Cinema4D v11.008. Within a week or so, the released v11.012. Did they release it to steal other's thunder? Hardly. They did it to provide consumers with the best possible, production ready product. This is what good companies do - serve the needs of their customers.

I'd rather pixologic had not given a release date they couldn't hit, IE, a release date at ALL till it was done and dusted, and ready for release.
Agreed. However, I'm sure that they were honest in their initial belief. Life, especially when it comes to software development, has an interesting way of throwing you curve balls. Just when you think a piece of kit is done, you find one bug. You fix that one bug and it accidentally creates 20 more. That happens. If you've ever written any code, you'd know that to be a truism.

Pixo should, in the future, publicize a date that's later than what they normally would. This way, the release would either be on time or *shock* early. I don't like it any more than you do, but we all know how they operate at this point. Should we accept it? Do we have a choice? I'm not being a fanboy or anything, but ZB is a quality product. I'd say that, bumps and all, it's a satisfying road worth traveling.

I knew they wouldn't hit the release date promised, cause they NEVER have hit a single release date on time
Y'know. Sometimes, you say, "Next time is going to be different. I know what I have to do to get it all right next time." Everybody does that. Pixo is populated by people not machines. I don't think that they intentionally go out of their way to screw with people or screw them over.

As far as the hype machine..... Welcome to planet Earth. Hype makes the world go `round. You could always just ignore it. I dare ya'. :)

those god awful self felating videos, really just piss me off.
Wow. Look who's all piss & vinegar this morning. :) Those "self-felating" videos as you call them are actually informative and an excellent marketing tool. Do they stroke their own egos? Sure. Do the new features usually give them a valid excuse? Yeah. I'd say so. It's a little hype to be sure, but these vids are very powerful tools for both the company and the end users.

[ReplicA]

...it's free shutup. Pixologic is such a genius Oh EM GEE You just don't get it...

Fixed.

Ya know it would have been better if you didn't throw personal attacks. I'll refer you to this thread. http://www.gameartisans.org/forums/showthread.php?t=7226

thank you

[cookepuss]

ReplicA: Read my post again. There was a smiley face. I was joking about the shut up part. :) Lighten up.

[ReplicA]

*sigh* cookepuss you're the one that took my opinion WAY too seriously, and wrote a novel to tell me how wrong I am. Who needs to lighten up?

read this thread....

http://boards.polycount.net/showthread.php?t=65716

[cookepuss]

:) Well, that was a waste of 3 minutes. :p

ReplicA, no disrespect intended. I'm simply not going to turn this into a pissing contest. You've got your opinion. I've got mine. Let's leave it at that. From my perspective, I'll happily admit Pixo has "issues", but I would just rather not demonize them. No sense in it when the good ultimately outweighs the bad, in the long run.

I'll save my bile for Autodesk. ;) :lol:

[Draxxuss]

yeesh you guys... it's a damn digital plasticine pusher... go easy now!

with that said...

MUDBOX RULEZ! :) ha ha

[ReplicA]

Sounds like a plan to me. I was planning on linking to more and more irrelevant threads if this continued. Just in case you were curious, next up: http://boards.polycount.net/showthread.php?t=65805

[cookepuss]

:lol:

The mod in me says, "Let's stay on topic, please."
Still, the gamer in me says, "Thanks for those screenies. I haven't seen them yet. "

Gotta get some more actual work done now. I'll be back here to cheese ya' all off later. :)