ZBrush for iPad has been updated with a long-awaited feature: Pixologic has added ZModeler, the poly modeling toolset familiar from the desktop version, to the iPad version of their sculpting app. Artists using the iPadOS version of ZBrush can now work on hard-surface modeling tasks directly on their tablets.
This means that features like extruding faces, inserting edge loops, and all the polygonal manipulation options from ZModeler are now available on a device that fits in your backpack. While the desktop version of ZBrush has long allowed switching between organic sculpting and hard-surface modeling in a single tool, this update closes that gap for iPad users—at least for the ZModeler component.
Maxons mobile port, which was previously focused on organic workflows and sculpting-heavy tasks, now becomes more viable for all-round modeling, especially in preproduction and concepting scenarios.
Limited, But Growing
It’s worth noting that ZBrush for iPad still doesn’t offer all features of the desktop version. Maxon has been gradually rolling out updates since launch, and ZModeler is one of the more substantial additions yet. Artists who rely on mobile workflows, or those testing ideas on-the-go, can now enjoy a more complete modeling toolset without needing to open a laptop.
For those unfamiliar with ZModeler: it’s Maxon’s answer to traditional polygonal modeling, wrapped in ZBrush’s iconoclastic interface. It supports vertex, edge, and face-level control, along with polygonal primitives and mesh operations—making it essential for hard-surface artists and anyone modeling non-organic assets.
ZBrush for iPad is available exclusively through Apple’s App Store.
Road Test Before Production
As with all new mobile features, especially in core production tools like ZBrush, professionals are advised to test the update thoroughly before integrating it into production workflows. The iPad version of ZBrush remains a streamlined and evolving adaptation of the desktop toolset—not a full replacement. Still, with ZModeler on board, it’s becoming harder to ignore just how capable sculpting and modeling on a tablet can be—especially when deadlines chase you out of the studio.
App Page: ZBrush for iPad on Apple App Store
Developer Page: ZBrush iPad page at Maxon – see a big comparison of the various feature sets here: ZBrush Options
