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 Pixologic announces ZBrush 2 Posted by: amigo
Source: Press Release
Date: Wed Mar 10 2004
Los Angeles, CA - March 10, 2004 - Pixologic, Inc. today announced the upcoming release of ZBrush 2 - the newest version of its award-winning 2D/3D digital-art creation software - on March 31, 2004.
ZBrush 2 is a huge leap forward in speed, performance and technology. Modeling, texturing and painting features have all benefited from unprecedented code enhancements. New tools and options provide even more versatility in all areas, boosting the artist's productivity and streamlining workflow in surprising ways.
ZBrush 2 is fast. It boasts handsomely optimized code innovations, combined with unique features, providing more power to create models with unparalleled detailing capabilities. Even medium- to high-resolution models respond instantly to sculpting actions, constantly rendered and shaded in real time.
Building on the freedom to sculpt high-frequency details with ease, ZBrush 2 offers revolutionary new modeling, surfacing and texturing techniques, while intuitive controls focus these powerful resources on the creation process.
ZBrush 2 has been previewed and developed in close association with industry-leading special effects houses, game developers and artists worldwide. Matt Aitken, digital models supervisor at Weta Digital (Academy-Award�-winning visual effects producers for The Lord of the Rings(tm): The Return of the King(tm)), says this of ZBrush 2:
"The revolutionary nature of ZBrush leads to Weta Digital creating a new approach to modeling hero creatures, digital doubles and props.... the software has the necessary flexibility to work in a production environment with changes to art direction and the level of detail required." (For more information about Weta's workflow using ZBrush, a separate press release is available: http://pixologic.com/news/pr030104.pdf )
Highlights
ZBrush 2 employs powerful code and feature innovations to boost the artist's productivity. Some of the highlights of these innovations include:
* Multi-Resolution Mesh Editing: Models can be edited in multiple mesh-resolution levels, enabling artists to add low- or high-frequency details on the appropriate level, while ZBrush transfers the changes to other levels.
* Displacement and Normal Maps: Building upon the Multi-Resolution Mesh Editing functionality, detailed maps can be generated for low-resolution base meshes.
* Visibility Controls: Portions of any mesh can be hidden, offering numerous advantages. Artists can concentrate on areas of interest, and use selective hiding to add edge loops and other mesh-enhancement features.
* New Sculpting Brushes: Nine new sculpting brushes provide new ways of adding detail to meshes of any resolution in intuitive ways.
* Displacement Projections: Using depth-enabled paintbrushes and tools, mesh displacements can be applied by simply brushing them onto the surface of an object.
Pricing and availability
Version 1.55b is currently available for $399.00 and can be purchased online from the e-store at www.ZBrush.com. This price will remain in effect until the release of version 2 on March 31st, 2004, at which point the price will increase to $489.00. All registered users of the current version, including those who purchase before the release of version 2 will receive the new version as a free upgrade.
ZBrush 2 will be initially available for Windows platforms; ZBrush 2 for Macintosh is nearing the end of its development phase, and its release date will be announced separately.
About ZBrush
ZBrush enables digital artists to create high-quality, original artwork in a highly creative and interactive environment. ZBrush is host to an extensive set of real-time 3D sculpting, 2D/3D projection painting, 3D texturing and deformation tools - seamlessly integrated in one intuitive environment. With instant feedback encompassing a unique synthesis of 2D and 3D capabilities in a single stand-alone application, ZBrush offers tremendous flexibility and appeals to a wide audience.
About Pixologic, Inc.
Founded in 1997, Pixologic Incorporated (www.Pixologic.com) develops and markets innovative software tools for digital artists. The privately funded company is headquartered in Los Angeles, California, with Research and Development located in Silicon Valley.
About Weta Digital
Weta Digital was formed in 1993 by a group of young New Zealand filmmakers including Peter Jackson, Jamie Selkirk, Jim Booth, George Port, Tania Rodger and Richard Taylor. The single original computer, located in the backroom of an old Wellington house, was leased to accomplish the visual effects shots for Peter Jackson's film, Heavenly Creatures.
Since these humble beginnings, the company has quickly increased in size and skill to now provide some of the highest quality visual effects in the film and television industry. Weta's digital artists use the latest hardware and software, as well as a suite of proprietary tools. Working closely with the other division of Weta Ltd, Weta Workshop, they offer multidisciplinary expertise in conceptualization, creation and technical know-how as well as compositing, blue screen and background plates, miniature stop motion footage, motion capture sequencing, 35mm film scanning, recording and screenings, full design, maquette and 3D scanning services.
Related Links: Tour of ZBrush 2 new features
Pixologic website
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