How does Z 3.5 change the paradigm?

[zeke3d]

I wanted to get peoples takes on this, yes or no, if so why, if not why?

I remember getting z3, it took a few weeks if not months to truly grasp how many limits had been erased by the new version.

right now, after playing with it for a few hours myself, I feel 3.5 changes the conceptual process, especially with sketch spheres. Need thumbs? sketch them as 3d masses quickly in z3.5 and then save them off and take screenshot and then draw/paint over them in your app of choice or zsketch even. like your 2d paint or sketch of the zsketch, open it up again and take it as far as you can if not to a fully completed state, or as close as you can and then retopo, and bring in any extra hard edge details you may need.

also with the zsketch you can make a prop, with some complexitiy without ever needing to really worry about topology, especially to try things out. once completed you can, retopo it and bring it in your favorite app for ripping, placement, or whatever.

pretty powerfull stuff indeed if you ask me, any more things you think its new toolset could be usefull for?

[cookepuss]

For me - though I don't have my link yet - I can imagine that it would only pull me further and further away from my 3D app.

I'm already doing base work with ZSpheres, concepts & paint overs with PaintShop, & full sculpts with ZB itself. I would think that the new hard surface stuff would mean that I'd have to switch back between ZB & C4D less for my hard edged accessories or elements.

Right now, for me, ZB's biggest weakness is still the retopo tool set. It's functional, but it's slow going. I can easily retopo 3x-4x faster elsewhere. Even C4D's retopo workflow is faster.

Overall, I think we might not be seeing any more or less ZB work than before. Some artists are still set in their ways and proven workflows. I do think that anybody who was scared or cautious about using ZSpheres before would probably now be enticed. Lured to the dark side. :p

[Elcura]

I do think that anybody who was scared or cautious about using ZSpheres before would probably now be enticed. Lured to the dark side. :p

My main problem with Zspheres (and Zbrush's retopo) was how unstable it can be. At least that was the problem for me, if they made it better/more stable I'm certainly willing to try them out again. Especially cause the new Zspheres look sexy as all hell.

[zeke3d]

playing with it last night, zspheres seem to have been updated, they felt easier and less finicky to manipulate, and now with zsketch they are way more relavent. I was purist about making base meshes in my base 3d app (max) but now I think I will branch out into zspheres for more conceptual and sketching work. heck, now if I want I can just make a zshpere, and then start blobing out masses with the zsketch, arms legs, straps, whatever. way more powerfull, so I think it will pull more people into the dark side. as for the topo tools I think they have been lighting fast and the backbone for a lot of work in the past and mostlikely future, probally need more tuts, practice or someone to show you some tips and tricks.

[Draxxuss]

I hated the original zspheres and after seeing what they off now, I'm looking forward to trying them out.