Overview of ZBrushCore
ZBrushCore is a scaled-down, lower cost version of Pixologic’s popular ZBrush digital sculpting software. ZBrushCore was designed to provide an affordable entry point for beginners interested in learning ZBrush.
Some key things to know about ZBrushCore:
Key Features
- Lower price point ($179 USD) compared to full ZBrush ($895 USD)
- Limited toolset – 30% of the tools in full ZBrush
- 2.5D painting, texturing and rendering
- Supports key workflows like sculpting, textures, materials, rendering
- Imports/exports various 3D file formats
Target User
- Beginners new to digital sculpting and ZBrush
- Hobbyists on a budget looking for an affordable solution
- Students interested in learning ZBrush
ZBrushCore is not recommended for professional artists doing production work, as it lacks the full toolset and capabilities of the standard ZBrush. However, it can be a good way for beginners to get started with key ZBrush workflows.
ZBrushCore Toolset and Capabilities
As a simplified version of ZBrush, ZBrushCore offers a curated set of essential sculpting and rendering tools. Here’s an overview of what’s included:
Sculpting Brushes
ZBrushCore provides access to over 50 of ZBrush’s most popular sculpting brushes, including:
- Standard – The standard brushes like Clay, ClayTubes, and Inflate. Great for basic shaping.
- Smoothing – Brushes to refine forms like Smooth, Polish, and Relax.
- Texturing – Brushes like DragRect, TrimDynamic, and Twist for adding details.
While not as extensive as full ZBrush, there are enough brushes for basic sculpting needs.
2.5D Painting
You can use the 2.5D painting mode in ZBrushCore to paint color and textures across your models. This includes features like:
- RGB, Grayscale and Alpha painting
- Texture masking and selection
- Support for politics, pTex, and displacements
- REALTIME visual feedback when painting
Materials and Rendering
ZBrushCore supports Pixologic’s ZAppLink real-time rendering, allowing you to apply materials and render your models.
- MatCaps materials library for real-time material preview
- Supports lighting and environment adjustments
- Render to generate an image, movie or 360 panorama
While more limited than ZBrush, you still get key rendering capabilities for presenting sculpts.
Key File Formats Supported
For importing and exporting models, ZBrushCore supports over 25 common 3D file formats including:
- OBJ, STL, VRML and PLY for mesh formats
- GoZ for seamless ZBrush/Maya/C4D roundtripping
- 3MF and FBX for communicating with various CAD programs
So compatibility with external workflows is very good.
Interface and User Experience
Streamlined Interface
The ZBrushCore interface has been simplified and redesigned to be more intuitive for beginners. Workspaces and menus have been consolidated to focus on core sculpting workflows.
This makes it easier to find the tools you need compared to full ZBrush with its huge array of options.
Walkthrough Content
To help new users get oriented, ZBrushCore includes step-by-step walkthrough content for learning workflows like sculpting a head from scratch. This makes it good for beginners.
Support and Resources
There are lots of learning resources available including documentation, training videos, live streams, and a community forum. So users have many options for ramping up their skills.
Performance and Hardware Requirements
ZBrushCore is designed to run smoothly on standard mid-range Windows and Mac hardware. Official requirements:
- RAM: 8GB minimum, 16GB+ recommended
- GPU: Integrated GPU or dedicate GPU with 2+GB RAM
- Hard Drive: SSD recommended for optimal performance
With its streamlined tools, ZBrushCore is not as resource intensive as full ZBrush. But you’ll still want a decent modern system for a good experience.
Is ZBrushCore Right for You?
Best for Beginners
ZBrushCore’s simplified UI and curated tools make it a great way for beginners to start learning digital sculpting at an affordable price. The walkthrough guides and learning resources also help new users get oriented.
Limitations for Pros
Professional artists who need to use ZBrush’s full toolset for production work will quickly be frustrated by the limitations of ZBrushCore. The standard ZBrush is better suited for pros.
Try Before You Buy
Pixologic offers a free 45-day trial of ZBrushCore to test it out. This is a great way for beginners to see if ZBrushCore will meet their needs before purchasing.
Upgrade Path
If you outgrow ZBrushCore, you can upgrade to the full ZBrush and get a discount based on the price you paid for ZBrushCore. So it’s not a dead-end purchase.
Great Entry Point
For only $179 USD, ZBrushCore offers an affordable entry point to start learning ZBrush. The curated tools provide a gentler learning curve for beginners vs the vast array of options in full ZBrush.
Verdict
For beginners interested in dipping their toes into digital sculpting, ZBrushCore’s lower cost and simplified interface make it an excellent starting point. While professional artists will need the full ZBrush, ZBrushCore covers just enough key workflows to let hobbyists and students get a solid ZBrush foundation.
The limited toolset may be frustrating if you try to use it for serious production work. But with its discounted pricing and guided learning content, ZBrushCore succeeds as a budget-friendly gateway into the ZBrush ecosystem for new users.
