ZBrush

Overview

ZBrush is a digital sculpting tool that combines 3D/2.5D modeling, texturing and painting. It uses a proprietary "pixol" technology which stores lighting, color, material, and depth information for all objects on the screen. The main difference between ZBrush and more traditional modeling packages is that it is more akin to sculpting.

History

ZBrush was developed by the company Pixologic, which was founded by Ofer Alon and Jack Rimokh in 1997. The software was first introduced at the 1999 SIGGRAPH conference, and the first version, ZBrush 1.55, was released in 2002. Since then, it has undergone numerous updates and revisions, with the most recent version, ZBrush 2021, being released in August 2020.

Features

ZBrush operates in a non-photorealistic rendering (NPR) environment, which allows artists to create 3D models with a high degree of freedom. It includes a wide range of tools and features, including:

Pixol

ZBrush's unique Pixol technology allows artists to create highly detailed models by adding and reducing resolution where needed. This technology also enables ZBrush to store material, depth, lighting, and color information for each pixel displayed on the screen.

Sculpting

ZBrush offers a variety of sculpting tools, including brushes, textures, and alpha channels. These tools allow artists to create complex models with a high level of detail. The sculpting process in ZBrush is similar to traditional sculpting, with the artist adding and subtracting material to achieve the desired shape.

Texturing

ZBrush includes a powerful texturing system that allows artists to create detailed and realistic textures for their models. This system includes features such as UV mapping, polypainting, and texture painting.

Rendering

ZBrush includes a powerful rendering engine that allows artists to create high-quality images of their models. This engine includes features such as shadows, ambient occlusion, and subsurface scattering.

Usage

ZBrush is used by a wide range of professionals, including game developers, film studios, illustrators, educators, scientists, and hobbyists. It is particularly popular in the film and game industry, where it is used to create detailed characters and environments.

Reception

ZBrush has been well received by the industry and has won several awards, including the Academy Scientific and Technical Award in 2018.