Archive notice: This article was originally published on February 29, 2012. Links and embedded videos are preserved as part of the historical record.
FiberMesh
The new FiberMesh function, which can be used to create 3D fibres, is said to have been expanded with new control options. The Curve Modifier is said to allow FiberMesh settings for length, coverage, gravity and colour profile. The right amount of movement and rotation of the fibres is said to be addable with the Revolve feature. Textures are also said to be applicable in the FiberMesh preview, and the textures now support transparency and anti-aliasing.
NoiseMaker
A wide variety of noise generators is said to make it possible to create the most varied effects. The display on the noise displays is now also said to be more accurate for low-polygon models. Enlarging the NoiseMaker preview window is also said to offer the possibility of fine-tuning the noises before accepting them as the final result. The preview window is also now said to support Move, Scale and Rotate shortcuts as well as navigation buttons.
Pipeline
Vector Displacement Map exports in this version are said to support 16-bit.tiff or 32-bit.tiff and OpenEXR formats. VDMap Auto FlipAndSwitch Detection is said to allow the best settings to be found by comparing two Vector Displacement Maps.
The 4R3 update is available free of charge to all registered ZBrush users; the regular retail price is 699 dollars. Here is ZBrush 4R3.
