by David Nagel
Executive Producer
dnagel@digitalmedianet.com

Pixologic today announced it will be unveiling of ZBrush version 1.1 for the Macintosh Jan. 9. This will be the first full release for the Mac. A demo version has been available on Pixologic's Web site for some time now.

ZBrush is a 2D and 3D modeling and painting application based on "Pixol" rendering technology, which allows an artist to paint an image with depth and push/pull, create and move lights, change the materials and apply both 2D and 3D effects in one integrated, real-time workspace.

ZBrush renders 3D geometry, materials and textures in real time, producing instant feedback without the need for graphic accelerators. Features include:

• Painting Application with 3D Rendering Engine;
• Sculpt and Paint 3D Geometry in Real-time;
• Sculpt and Paint 2.5D Canvas in Real-time;
• Depth-enabled Brushes;
• 2D/3D Export/Import;
• 3D Masking;
• Customizable Lights and Material Properties;
• Multiple layers offer merging, flipping and dynamic repositioning;
• 3D Texture Grab;
• 3D Picker;
• 3D Deformations;
• Customizable Interface;
• Image Adjustment;
• 3D Markers;
• Integrated ZMovie Panel for interacting with tutorials;
• A renderer that calculates shadows, reflectivity and environment settings such as depth of field, fog, etc.;
• Edit 3D geometry with a variety of sculpting features and deformation tool set;
• Apply varying degrees of Color (Red, Green, Blue) and/or Material (chrome, plastic, wood, reptile skin, etc.) to geometry (3D) or an image with depth (2.5D);
• Load/Save, Import/Export and/or create from scratch real 3D objects and texture them with UV coordinates intact;
• Depth-enabled brushes such as Snake allow the canvas to be pulled out in the shape of an artist's mouse movement;
• User-definable alpha provides brush tip control, paint application and 3D masking;
• Dynamic brushes such as Bump, Intensity, Contrast, Glow, Layer, Clone, etc.;
• The MRGBZGrabber allows capturing of Color, Depth and/or Material from the canvas;
• 2D formats such as .PSD, .BMP and .PICT can be exported or imported as document, texture or alpha;
• 3D formats such as .ZTL, .DXF, .OBJ can be exported or imported with UV-coordinates intact.

ZBrush version 1.1 will be available online at an introductory price of $292.50 for a limited period of time. Version 1.1 is a free upgrade to current registered users. Following the introductory offer, ZBrush will be available at a suggested online price of $585.00. It requires a minimum G3 processor with 128 MB RAM and a monitor supporting 24-bit color at 1,024 x 768. For more information, visit http://www.pixologic.com.