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All about the details

vilyathars2vilyathars2 Posts: 34
in The Commons
So, I've made some pretty fun models in Hexagon, but I would really like to use another program to add high-poly fine detail work that I can make into a normal map for the lower-poly version of the model. I'm aware that Zbrush is the industry standard for doing this kind of thing, but there is no way I can afford it (or justify it even if I could, since this is my hobby, not my income source). I have sculptris, and have played with it a bit, but I noticed there is no way to make clean edges with it, and I don't see any functions that allow you to "stamp" the model with premade patterns or anything like that, things that would be useful for nonorganic models and making certain types of details much easier. I have heard there is another similar program called meshmixer? But I haven't messed with it much yet. So this is my question: what do you guys use to make high-poly details for bump/normal maps, and is there a way to do it without breaking the bank?? Thanks.

Comments

  • naqlnaql Posts: 25
    edited November 2017

    I'm no expert on this and just getting started myself, but a couple of points: Pixelogic sells a version of ZBrush called ZBrush Core, which is affordable.  In fact, it comes with a $200 Wacom Intuos 3D bundle, which is how I acquired it.  Also 3D Coat is often mentioned as a more affordable alternative.

     

     

    Post edited by naql on
  • agent unawaresagent unawares Posts: 3,513

    I'm going to tell you in advance, there's a reason everyone recommends ZBrush.

    vilyathars2 said:
    is there a way to do it without breaking the bank?? Thanks.

    Blender.

  • PedroCPedroC Posts: 195

    Blender.

  • BeeMKayBeeMKay Posts: 7,019

    Another vote for Blender. It's pretty amazing what you can do with it.

  • AllenArtAllenArt Posts: 7,169
    edited November 2017

    I'd try Blender first. It's free and you can see if it's something you can/want to do before you buy anything....or Blender might just be all you need. :) It's sculpting is pretty robust...maybe not as full-featured as the paid alternatives, but certainly capable of what you're after.

    Laurie

    Post edited by AllenArt on
  • vilyathars2vilyathars2 Posts: 34
    Thanks! This seems pretty unanimous, lol. I actually have blender, and use it for a few functions I think it works better for than hexagon (for instance, saving uv templates in higher definition than hex can), but I hate the interface and it's a pain to find anything so I use hex for my general modeling program. I hadn't messed with blender's sculpt mode yet; I didn't realize it had such an effective system for that. Can anyone link me some good tutorials for blender's sculpt mode? If it is as hard to navigate as the rest of the program, I'm gonna need 'em, lol. Thanks again! :) Oh, I heard something about autodesk giving things like mudbox and maya free for educational purposes... I was in college up until this last year (graduated in may)...am I a few months too late to take advantage of that? :/
  • agent unawaresagent unawares Posts: 3,513

    If you still have access to your .edu mail I believe they will allow an educational license. I know they've even granted them to homeschoolers in the past.

  • kyoto kidkyoto kid Posts: 41,040

    ...Hexagon is undergoing a major update which will include 64 bit support.

  • vilyathars2vilyathars2 Posts: 34
    agent unawares said:

    If you still have access to your .edu mail I believe they will allow an educational license. I know they've even granted them to homeschoolers in the past.

    Cool. So I could potentially get mudbox free... I've heard that is good for sculpting?
  • IceDragonArtIceDragonArt Posts: 12,548

    Also, Carrara has really good modelling. 

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