ZBrush sale

Brutus · Posted: Fri Mar 06, 2009 4:13 pm Post subject: ZBrush sale

There is a limited time, limited supply offer on ZBrush 3.1 software. Its usually $600, marked down to $500.

You can only purchase it through gameartisans.org shop. Its a promo for this year's Dominance War character art competition.

http://gameartisans.org/gamecon/shop/index.php?cPath=23&osCsid=9a335f4fbec7bbe26d41d1e2afe9e594

I just bought a license myself.

Model on!
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RK-Mara · Posted: Fri Mar 06, 2009 5:04 pm Post subject:

I'll just go rob a bank.
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Brutus · Posted: Fri Mar 06, 2009 10:41 pm Post subject:

Sandwich shops are easier. Cool

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Vlad Piranha · Posted: Fri Mar 06, 2009 11:07 pm Post subject:

I was going to make a post for Zbrush earlier today. That's kinda funny. Do you own a legit copy of the 3d software too?

Brutus · Posted: Sat Mar 07, 2009 12:08 am Post subject:

i have legit Maya 2008 ultimate too. but i didn't pay for it. Cool

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Vlad Piranha · Posted: Sat Mar 07, 2009 6:10 pm Post subject:

How much do you know about normal mapping without using Zbrush? I'm working on making a bunch of foliage models for the mod this week and really want to get the most out of them. I guess this is more pertinent to the Source section, but it overlaps with this discussion.

Bunny · Posted: Sat Mar 07, 2009 11:51 pm Post subject:

I wish my digital media program would teach us some zbrush, it looks amazing to use for detail especially on character heads. Problem is they tell us to learn it ourselves but I don't have that kind of money Sad

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Brutus · Posted: Sun Mar 08, 2009 2:08 am Post subject:

That is lame bunny, they should teach you... It is not the uncontested champion but it is doing pretty well in its niche.

Vlad, I have done normal maps in ZBrush for use in Maya rendering.

I have not tried getting a normal map on a model in game yet though. I either work on old engines, or someone else does the last coding leg. I am sure it pretty straight-forward though. Have you looked for tuts? I am sure there there is some property slot of the model object that lets you assign a normal map, just as you would a diffuse (texture) map.
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Stealth · Posted: Sun Mar 08, 2009 4:08 pm Post subject:

Yea, I'd like to learn how to use zbrush more effectively and what it's used for. I've experimented with it a bunch and it looks like it's made for extremely high polys.
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Motherfucking Triangles! Being all three sided n' shit, who do they think they are?!

Brutus · Posted: Sun Mar 08, 2009 9:43 pm Post subject:

Yea it cheats in terms of CRAZY high polys. It will keep splitting your surfaces up into greater and greater detail, just keep bumping the slider until your PC gags. Wink

It is not uncommon to be working on 2,000,000 to 10,000,000 poly equivalent models!

Obviously that cannot go in game. UT3 can handle only about 70,000 polys for everything - characters and terrain. Razz

You have to bake out normal maps, shadow and occlusion maps, etc. to be applied back to your low-poly models for use in game.

It has nice painting tools too. So you can also export a diffuse map as well (dont ask me why they call the texture a 'diffuse map' Razz

).
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Vlad Piranha · Posted: Sun Mar 08, 2009 11:17 pm Post subject:

3ds Max refers to base textures as the diffuse map too. Technical terminology sucks. No normal person uses the word 'specular' in day to day conversations.

massive · Posted: Mon Mar 09, 2009 12:43 am Post subject:

{pst - don't mention the word 'triangle' in this post - }
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Vlad Piranha wrote:

I'm offended that a zombie holocaust isn't on the list. It would be terrifying, sure, but it would be pretty sweet if you think about it.

Stealth · Posted: Mon Mar 09, 2009 12:14 pm Post subject:

LOL.

Specular ftw! Laughing

Once I get a little better with the rendering system, I'll plan my shots better. The closer you are to the target, the longer it takes to render. So where ya see close up of the coins, it took me roughly 10 frames and hour. But when it pulls away, I got 40 frames an hour.
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Motherfucking Triangles! Being all three sided n' shit, who do they think they are?!

Vlad Piranha · Posted: Mon Mar 09, 2009 7:46 pm Post subject:

The funny thing is that we both have access to the same renderer, Mental Ray. I could pass along some settings for Max that result in good renders for me and they should be totally compatible for your stuff. I've spent the past 6 months learning lighting techniques and I'd like to give you guys some references so you don't have to figure that crap out on your own.

Brutus · Posted: Wed Mar 11, 2009 8:18 pm Post subject:

I often pass render work to a buddy with Modo. I guess it has kick ass default lighting and render options.

I am not sure why default rendering should be so hard... *triangles?* Razz

However, I will take you up on the Mental Ray settings offer regardless. Very Happy

Do post them!
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