Zbrush has a cheaper version called ‘Zbrush Core’. There is also a free version of ‘ZBrushCoreMini’. It is possible that Maxon will keep these cheaper versions.
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I was talking to a lad who says he can happily sculpt on a 5 million mesh using Nomad on his iphone, which is pretty crazy. 
It certainly wouldn’t be my idea of fun, but it’s an excellent option to have. There’s also a free web version of Nomad: SculptGL, which was the original version(not as feature rich) https://stephaneginier.com/sculptgl/
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In theory you’re right, but in practice there’s a big gaping hole between the free Blender and the nearest comparable commercial 3D DCC. If Maxon would prioritize creators above their wallet, they could fill in that gap with C4D + ZBrush + Redshift as a reasonably priced alternative to Blender. And such a move might even become more beneficial to their wallet as well.
I think it’s always nice to have a choice, despite being a Blender aficionado myself of course.
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Nice, I didn’t know the connection yet between SculptGL and Nomad Sculpt. I’m seriously considering a return to iPad to try Nomad. I’ve read a lot about how the sculpting feels like ZBrush.
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I think anyone that is going to limit themselves to Zbrush Core is better off just using Blender. Most of Zbrush’s tool ecosystem(which is its true power) is ripped out, so you’re more or less left with Blender sculpt mode anyway.
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That’s paid though, isn’t it? And I think you need to purchase the web version separately to the tablet/phone version?
Still though, it’s pretty much free with that price tag.
I tried it last year on my Samsung tablet, but I was using it with potato finger so I didn’t get that Zbrush feel… 
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No. The web version is a demo/trial… you can play with it in your web browser for free, like sculptgl…
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Companies, studios or freelancers using Zbrush from very long time will simply buy Zbrush subscription or buy annual license, just like when it happened for Photoshop, Substance Designer or Painter unfortunatelly.
No other sculpting app is as fast dealing with very high rez models than Zbrush,
also it’s too soon to consider something else for smaller business until we know what could be the changes under Maxon.
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We really don’t know about pricing, we don’t have any infos.
No one that have lot of exprience in Zbrush and it’s workflow, would drop using Zbrush just because of an annoucement.
Other apps will be fine for sculpting, while for higher details sculpting and rendering they need to find ways to improve, because for example 10 million polygons is not so much for displaying enough details when sculpting small details.
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I just checked because i could not believe that octane is free but yes. Has some limitations but nothing that bugs a single freelancer free for commercial use… I might switch as long as cycles has no light linking…
Anyway yes blender has come a long way and even realistic stuff with stencil brushes at 30mio poly is no problem on my computer now with multires. The sad thing is now i cant put it on blender when my character is not looking good…
I tried zbrush for some things but its very convenient that blender has everything in one package with no constant import and export.
Still the performance is just gold since its build for it.
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Come on! You’ve dropped Zbrush more time than a prostitute’s knickers! 
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For Maxon , we don’t know if they will push as far as Adobe or will be more moderate about pricing.
They sell Substance collection for 50$ per month forcing you to buy both Designer and Painter, it’s a way to make more money as thay can, not sure Maxon will go that way.
All in one software is cool, but not always the best, sometime apps specialized in one area can do better.
For example Substance Designer has no rival, neither Blender or 3D coat have same capabilities and features, or you’ll reach similar results with ten times more work and nodes.
While i would be happy if Blender or 3D coat would propose same advanced nodes as Designer, then i could drop Designer perhaps.
Anyway, good news for Blender having someone working full time on improving sculpting perhaps will help on performance, more modern interface and smoother workflow.
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The best prostitutes don’t wear knickers. Just FYI.
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Twas the Nightmare Before Christmas, when all through the house Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse, or graphics tablet.
In the long silence of the dark he sits huddled in flickering candle light while cradling the last of the whisky in a feeble attempt to steady the nerves. Anxiously he awaits the clocks chime on the last stroke of twelve. The announcement of the witching hour and the arrival of the Ghost of Christmas Yet To Be.
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Exactly. I think Modo and Sketchup days are numbered.
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Yeah, I know, I know. But this time the grey clouds of forced subscription are approaching the ZBrush sky. I would not mind paying something like $10 or even $15 a month for ZBrush, but right now a ZB subscription is already $40 per month. Maxon won’t change that, and probably increase it (at least in the near future).
To me there are only a few things that still make ZBrush more convenient than Blender Sculpt Mode, such as the great smoothing algorithm (especially the volume-preserving Alt Smooth brush), the seamless integration and guidance options of ZRemesher, the Insert Mesh brushes, the flawless multiresolution sculpting, easy slicing with a key combination, and the flexible UI customization.
But I also love Blender Sculpt Mode’s Pose brush, the realtime mask operations (blurring, expansion and more), the Elastic brushes (Move, SnakeHook), and Dyntopo is better than Sculptris Pro, especially since the new additions in the Sculpt-Dev build. I also really miss the non-destructive flexibility of a modifier stack on top of models in ZBrush, and an integrated GI / ray-tracing renderer.
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I agree, with the exception that I hate the Adobe Creative Cloud bloatware. It’s like an extra OS layer, and is constantly sending and receiving data.
I had a Photoshop subscription until fairly recently, for only $10 a month, which included an Adobe Portfolio site with its great CMS. But I like Affinity Photo better, and got fed up with the Creative Cloud mess.
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Yeah mate, I’m just hoping against hope that we long term perpetual holders are ok? It’s actually illegal in the EU to do what Adesk did to perpetuals. If worst comes to worst, at least Zbrush is feature complete, because there’s no way I’m paying a penny to Maxon.
Yes, but unfortunately I don’t have that option. I simply can’t do the work I do in Zbrush in Blender. It’s not possible. Also, I hate the feel of Blender’s Clay brushes. 
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