I have the demo version of 3D Coat, but haven't had time to thoroughly kick the tires. (Though the Re-topo tools are fantastic.)
Is one easier to use than the other, or do both have their little quirks and foibles.
Eventually of course, the goal will be to make 3D illo's and comics.
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Zbrush:
Positives:
-Uber powerful and FAST - up to the threshold my computer can handle. Approximately 3 million polys. (Mileage will vary according to your machine specs).
-Carving shaping and modeling - very natural and straight forward.
-Creating base mesh with zspheres quick and intuitive...once you figure out where to press the right buttons.
Negatives:
- Can't ever figure out the UV/texture maps - or how to export so you can paint in another program
- Can't ever figure out how to get the texture back in (though i sort of manage but not really with both of the above, I sort of get it but not really).
- Re-topo a pain in the butt - but not as bad as some other systems...
- Hi-res to lo-res projection when, where, how?
- Can never tell when my sculpt is breaking or going awry or if I have to fix the topology to maintain topology...
- Can't figure out the difference between matcaps or shaders or how to make my own...though I've seen something somewhere.
- Adding new topology or clay to an already pre-existing piece seems problematic.
- The Canvas system is borderline mind boggling - sometimes makes sense, other times it doesn't.
A lot of it boils down to too many buttons and sequences in order to make something happen, but if you don't know the sequence or forget the sequence...then you're up the creek.
Z4 is an amazing piece of software and they have added some really nifty tools just the sequence of events doesn't always make sense.
I've had ZBrush since version 3.5 so almost a year now, and I still haven't figured most of it out. (Guess I need to sit down and actually read the books :(
3D Coat - I've tried a couple of the trial versions and here's what I've found out so far:
Positive:
- Initial sculpting is straightforward and obvious (where you go after that is questionable).
- Voxels are astounding you can build and build and build
- Re-topology tools are brilliant - and almost fun. (Still tedious on complex organic shapes)
- Seems to make slightly more logical sense than ZBrush, though again, a lot of buttons and knobs and areas to figure out).
- Capable of doing "ZSphere" like sculpting with curves.
- Built by Believers
Negatives:
- Can be slow and clunky - though that may be due to my machine not being able to handle the program properly (Zbrush is always fluid).
- Have to figure out the button systems - there are multiple sets of menus in various areas - figuring out what does what and why can be a chore.
-Voxels (or what you sculpt on) resolution is dependent on how near or far from the model you are when you sculpt on it.
-Adding items or new sculpting to a previous sculpt isn't clear (to me yet).
- Knowing how to get from one "room" to the next and why is a little bit perplexing. At times I know I want to be in one place over the other but sometimes the program won't let me...not sure if this a saving sequence, or if I'm just not following the right steps.
3D coat is a powerful tool - I just find the clunky element a little bit much (again, just may be my machine). And still not a 100% on how to make a lo-res from a high-res model. It has a lot going for it and seems to be a little more "linear" or obvious compared to ZBrush.
They are both powerful tools with very different ways of thinking - though both are intended for similar output. 3D Assets for games, movies or print.
What I really want to know is if someone has found one or the other "More Obvious" and can they make something quicker in one as opposed to the other. And has anyone used either for Print?