Archive notice: This article was originally published on 14 November 2019. Links and embedded videos are preserved as part of the historical record.
Following the 2019 release, Pixologic is already publishing the next update. The new ZBrush 2020 primarily adds useful new brushes and modifiers, as well as a new Morph UV function and more. And no, there is no new UI.
The Most Important ZBrush 2020 Features
Alongside the new XTractor, HistoryRecall and DecoCurve brushes, the new MorphUV feature and “No Back&Forth” modifier, the highlights also include a “ZeeZoo” library with more than 100 starting models for animals. With a new CamView, Pixologic aims to simplify viewing your projects and add a new real-time silhouette view. The import/export options window has also been expanded with FBX, STL, PLY, OBJ Extended and VRML:
Morph UV for Scultping
Alongside the new brushes, the MorphUV function allows you to sculpt and poly-paint on a UV unwrap of a 3D model, making it possible to reach difficult areas or apply patterns more easily.
XTractor Brushes
These two brushes convert details from a model into a new alpha or texture that you can then reuse directly. You need only draw a stroke over the relevant surface of any model to store the details, which can then be used elsewhere or on another sculpt.
History Recall Brush
The new HistoryRecall brush provides the option to project a state from the Undo History Timeline onto the current model, or even another model, to make localised changes to it.
Infinite Depth
With Infinite Depth mode, you can model across the entire axis of a surface, based on the depth orientation relative to the camera or the X, Y and Z axes. The “InfiniteDepth” button can be found under “Brushes > Depth” and can be assigned to any brush.
ZeeZoo Library
ZeeZoo is a selection of simple basic shapes for various animals, such as dogs, birds, Jatzen, with 100 individual projects in total. The models are designed so that you can quickly sculpt and position your own individual animal from them.
Availability
ZBrush 2020 is now available online for Windows and macOS, either as a perpetual licence or a subscription. For the launch of the new version, Pixologic is currently offering discounts: a single-user perpetual licence currently costs $795 instead of $895. You can find out more here in the online store.
Further information: You can find the complete feature overview here.
