ZBrush 2019 incoming!

Archive notice: This article was originally published on March 6, 2019. Links and embedded videos are preserved as part of the historical record.

Every year there are many new features for the sculpting tool from Pixologic. The ZBrush 2019 release has also seen a lot of changes. If you missed the live launch event, you can watch the stream later here. Here is our overview of the update:

ZBrush 2019 new features

Pixologic has tackled many construction sites with the release – in addition to improvements, there are also two new plug-ins and a new pricing system(more on this below):

• ZRemesher 3.0 with faster and better retopo results.
• NPR (Non Photorealstic Rendering) now also in ZBrush.
• Folder New system for organised work with the subtools.
• Snapshot 3D for the creation of 3D models from grey scales or alphas.
• Intersection Masker to generate quick selections.
• ZColor for the execution of poly-painting tasks.
• Universal camera for more precise work in Zbrush.

The Peel UV Tool presented at the Summit 2018 has unfortunately not yet made it into the version. This made it possible, for example, to set seams precisely over edge loops – you can find more information about this here.

ZRemesher 3.0

The automatic toolset for retopologisation is now part of the workflow in many pipelines. With the ZRemesher v3.0 update, the manufacturer promises more efficient polygon counts, speed and more precise results. In addition to retaining created edges, the tool should also recognise sharp edges of hard surface models better.

NPR Rendering

If you want to give your 3D image a hand-drawn 2D look, the new NPB Rendering now gives you the option. This includes the option of adding overlaying textures, applying a half-tone paper style, redrawing the 3D model with dark contours and more. Different styles can be created using cell shading, flat shadows and various filters. If you want to take a look at some beautiful works, you should go to this gallery.

New Folder System

Anyone who hopes for a new & tidy interface every year will at least not go back to the sculpting cave empty-handed this year: Pixologic had already presented the folder system and has now officially integrated it. Subtools can now be organised in folders! The folders make it easier to organise model parts. Using the new system, all subtools in a folder can be moved, scaled or rotated simultaneously with “TransPose Set”, for example. Operations such as Boolean live operations can also be applied to the entire content. More information here.

Snaphot 3D in Spotlight 2.0

Spotlight v1.0 previously allowed colour information of any texture to be projected onto a surface as a PolyPaint or applied to the surface of a model as a detail. Spotlight v2.0 now also makes it possible to convert greyscale images (alpha) into 3D models. The source images can be modified or combined by Boolean operations, such as addition or subtraction, to create even more complex 3D shapes. More about the feature here.

Intersection Masker & ZColor

The new“Intersection Masker” plug-in delivers what its name promises: you can use the tool to quickly create complex masks based on intersections with a selected sub-tool. The ZColor plug-in is a new colour manager for poly-painting with a corresponding colour palette. ZColor files can also be shared with others in the team if you are looking for a cohesive look in projects.

Universal camera

With ZBrush 2019, there is finally a new“universal camera“ with setting options for focal lengths in mm or field of view in degrees, among other things. So if you need to align your ZBrush work with certain shots, you can rejoice – the universal camera is also activated by default. The camera data can also be imported and exported for pixel-perfect transfer of content! All software tools that support the import/export of cameras via the FBX file format are supported. More about the new camera here.

An additional licence model!

For those who are comfortable with monthly & semi-annual licence models, this release offers one or two new purchase options: For the equivalent of around €35 per month or €159 per six months , you can now licence ZBrush for a period of time. But don’t worry – the option to buy a perpetual licence and own the software for life will not be removed… and there are no plans for Adobe to buy it out for the time being. But if you still have questions, you can take a look at the FAQ on the subject.

Further information: To the Pixologic website and in the documentation