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MODO or ZBRUSH or MUDBOX for sculpting?
- Thread starter hulk2012
- Start date
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Modo - can do everything and has a great renderer. A lot of product designers use modo. Modo sculpting is inferior to mudbox and zbrush but it can do basic stuff. I like to use it while modelling.
Zbrush - sculpting only, their BPR (renderer) is not so great compared to a dedicated 3d rendering software like modo. Zbrush will run well on older systems too.
Mudbox - You cannot run mudbox standalone, unlike zbrush, you need a base mesh to import into it first. Mudbox has better texturing than zbrush's polypaint but their sculpting tools are no where near Zbrush's tools.
Every one of these have a good UI and modo/zbrush can be 100% customized in the UI aspect. I have been using modo since 401 and really enjoy using it along with cinema 4d (which also has sculpting but about modo's level). I use zbrush sometimes but I am more into graphic design instead of creating 3d assets so it doesn't call for my attention often. Zbrush is always making massive updates and always free too. Pixologic think of amazing features to add and leave mudbox sculpting behind further every release.
If I were you and had to choose only one software, it would be modo. Reason is, modo can do everything, zbrush can't. Product design calls for accuracy and modo has that. Zbrush is very organic, eg no dimensions or specific radius on corners etc.
Modo has become a very popular software for modelling and rendering. It has one of the most robust render engines to date also. It is quite easy and enjoyable to learn. I suggest you take a trial of every software before laying down any money though. A lot of my influence is personal preference.
As someone who has all three I second viizi's recommendation. You really need a dedicated 3D app for design work.
Modo + ZBrush make an insanely wicked combination. Modo's sculpting is pretty decent but no one will beat ZBrush in that arena.
I would suggest buying Modo and plan to pick up ZBrush later. You really do need a dedicated 3D app to get the most out of ZBrush and Modo is an insanely awesome package at a great price. (Even better if you're a student, you get it for something like 90% off). There is a feature called "GoZ" that lets you transfer your Modo meshes to and from ZBrush with a single click.
Modo + ZBrush make an insanely wicked combination. Modo's sculpting is pretty decent but no one will beat ZBrush in that arena.
I would suggest buying Modo and plan to pick up ZBrush later. You really do need a dedicated 3D app to get the most out of ZBrush and Modo is an insanely awesome package at a great price. (Even better if you're a student, you get it for something like 90% off). There is a feature called "GoZ" that lets you transfer your Modo meshes to and from ZBrush with a single click.
Viizi pretty much covered everything.
I would also suggest getting both apps. This way you get the best out of both worlds. Zbrush is on a league on its own when it comes to sculpting but specifically for packaging I would go for modo.
I would also go one step further and suggest cinema 4d as your main 3d application. I've been a user of cinema 4d for many years and can say it pretty much has you covered on everything. And it's a tool that is very designer friendly.
But as chrono said download demos of the programs to see what fits best for you.
I would also suggest getting both apps. This way you get the best out of both worlds. Zbrush is on a league on its own when it comes to sculpting but specifically for packaging I would go for modo.
I would also go one step further and suggest cinema 4d as your main 3d application. I've been a user of cinema 4d for many years and can say it pretty much has you covered on everything. And it's a tool that is very designer friendly.
But as chrono said download demos of the programs to see what fits best for you.
I love cinema and I love modo. Sometimes I wish I could just love only one hahahaha. Cinema stability is so welcomed though, the most stable professional software I have ever used. Modo feels like a rusty robot with loose screws running a marathon, especially when switching to different tabs. Couldn't ever stop using modo though 
Do you know anything about topology and basic 3d modeling?
If not I suggest you to start first with a 3d package like modo or maya to understand the basics. Zbrush is the best tool you can get for sculping both organic and hard surface models, but you need to know the basics of efficient 3d modeling to make use of a sculpted model from Zbrush like retopology and UV mapping.
You will find that often is more convenient to model pieces in another package and import them directly in zbrush.
Mudbox is great for texture painting and surfacing details, however you need a model with proper UV and topology in order to use it. Requires a fast video card for high-end works.
If not I suggest you to start first with a 3d package like modo or maya to understand the basics. Zbrush is the best tool you can get for sculping both organic and hard surface models, but you need to know the basics of efficient 3d modeling to make use of a sculpted model from Zbrush like retopology and UV mapping.
You will find that often is more convenient to model pieces in another package and import them directly in zbrush.
Mudbox is great for texture painting and surfacing details, however you need a model with proper UV and topology in order to use it. Requires a fast video card for high-end works.
Right so i guess Modo and ZBrush with that one click GOZ is the winner for me. I've got C4D but the UI feels a bit "bulky"
If you're looking to do sculpting only, don't worry about conventional 3D software such as modo, C4D, etc. Just get ZBrush and you're good to go.
If you want to take your work beyond static, sculpted models, you can start looking at complementary software.
If you want to take your work beyond static, sculpted models, you can start looking at complementary software.
I love cinema and I love modo. Sometimes I wish I could just love only one hahahaha. Cinema stability is so welcomed though, the most stable professional software I have ever used. Modo feels like a rusty robot with loose screws running a marathon, especially when switching to different tabs. Couldn't ever stop using modo though
Something definitely doesn't sound right with your Modo. What version are you running? Did you try deleting the Modo prefs?
lol, ok I was over exaggerating. It runs just fine. I am just comparing against Cinema which is smooth and rock steady. I'll do a comparison between the two right now to show you what I am digging at.
http://cl.ly/0o300x3S2b32
notice the lag between clicking tabs compared to instant cinema4d. Not to mention Modo crashes once in a while in larger scenes or more complex operations and never had a cinema4d crash.
Edit: and yep I use a wacom instead of mouse or trackpad if you were gonna question my rapid movements haha