Is It Really Worth Going From Zbrush To This?

[jtk77]

OK, so I've had Zbrush 3.1 for a while. I think it cost me around 500 at the time, I beleive its 600 now...
Due to time restrictions and really just getting it as hobby software, I haven't used it as much as I'd like to have.
Now that I am, I've found it kind of tricky working with Maya back and forth.
So, I went and looked at Mudbox, looks cool, haven't tried that demo yet, however,
Its 800.00 bucks! Thats signifigantly more expensive than Zbrush. You'd think they'd keep it around the same since Zbrush seems more wide spread and they'd want to steal some of thier base...or am I wrong?
No incentive so far to switch.

Whats the deal? Can someone enlighten me why its so much more and if its really any better than sticking with Zbrush?

[jtk77]

Alright, I don't know maybe there are no Mudbox users around these forums these days. Lord knows I haven't been in forums in a long time. ..and no I'm not trying to start some juvenile software ware post here. I'm just looking for honest frank observation from anyone who's used both pieces of software professionally or is in the process of doing so.

I started an independant animation about 3 years ago. Then work changed, life got busy and it went to the old back up harddrive. Recently I started thinking about it again and I feel the story is fun enough that it should be finished. Given advances in what we do, its worth remodeling the characters. Plus, thats the most fun anyway. So, I bough Zbrush last year, did one thing in it and it too, went to backup since its not something that I would use professionally in my current line of design, I sort of know the software but not enough.

Given I primarly use Maya, and have a lot invested in it, should I bother with Zbrush or just put my time into Mudbox.
It costs almost twice as much and since I'm not that into Zbrush, I can't competently understand the differences.
So, anyone have an idea, feel free to post.

PS> though, I do appreciate any info, don't email me with "Mudbox is a professional application" cause I'm pretty sure Zbrush is used professionally as well.
without any explanation ...haha...true story.

[joojaa]

Well if my word counts for anything, I for one think mudbox is way better than zbrush. Even with the restrctions of mudbox 1 it still was better. So it only scupted, but it did thet better than zbrush, now it does a lot more.

I mean zbrush is all 3d and no fancy haking about dropping stuff. from onr frmat to next.

Plus the new mudbox migrates to maya very well.

[jtk77]

Now that's worth knowing...but seriously, twice the price? Ugh.
Anyone seen a side by side review anywhere? I'm searching the youtube...

[timrozek]

Well, I haven't used Zbrush at all but I have some friends who have used it.

I can tell you about mudbox though. If you are comfortable with maya then you are going to be very comfortable with mudbox in about a day or 2. It uses almost the exact same interface, and 2009 has some new painting features that are very nice.

Also going back and forth between the 2 softwares is almost unnoticeable, I almost wish they had just developed mudbox as an add-on to maya. Even as it is though, going between the two softwares has been very easy for me.

My understanding is that Zbrush is advantageous because it is the whole package, you can build in Zbrush, you can't really model in Mudbox, but if you are using with Maya then you have no reason to.

I for one can vouch for Mudbox, but if you aren't having any major issues with your current copy of Zbrush then I wouldn't drop the extra cash because, like you said, it is very expensive. (I got the government to buy it for me)

[vincent-tilghman]

i think just from word of mouth that zbrush is what is more widely used in the industry but mudbox is easier... pros always gotta do it the hard way eh?