3d sculpting - ZBRUSH vs NOMAD SCULPT - 7 big differences

[@SouthernGFX]

I spend almost all day using ZBrush when I’m working in files or tv shows. I literally make my living using it. When Nomad came along, for me, it meant that I had a way to keep on sculpting almost anywhere and I didn’t need to lug large mobile equipment like a Mobile Studio pro around with me. But what can you and what can’t you do with each one?

[@dantorres1844]

Nomad is more friendly for blocking out and getting the base forms down. Also I feel really comfortable vertex painting on the iPad for some reason as well as lighting set up and post process. Zbrush is zbrush though, and for detail heavy work, you just can’t beat it!

[@ronaldbell7429]

You're 100% right about differences in the the learning curves between ZBrush and Nomad

[@couragethecowardlydog8942]

What do you recommend for a beginner/student? I just bought an iPad and I'm feeling much more comfortable and confident sculpting with it. But I'm curious about which one is more recommend when subject is getting a job in the future.

[@wolfhansinful]

8th big difference: Cost… $15 usd vs $795 usd. Nomad is very underrated

[@Bertilfly]

Thanks again. The power of Nomad has really ascended in a very short time. I never thought my iPad could handle the load necessary to achieve results like that of which Nomad is now capable. I look forward to your next course. Your teaching style is technically knowledgeable yet very accessible, which I appreciate. The fact that you crank out the YT content while creating courses and (presumably) working at a multitude of other projects is impressive. I hope that you're enjoying the summer as well....

[@SouthernGFX]

It's a pleasure. I love doing the videos and the courses and watching people make amazing progress. Summer .... what summer!! It's crazy weather here in the UK!

[@Bertilfly]

@@SouthernGFX I'm in "New" England here in the US and there hasn't been much of a summer here either. Cheers!

[@switterbeet]

For me as a beginner, I discovered nomad a couple days ago, and it’s unbelievably similar and as practical as Zbrush for only 17€ and I can practice sculpting wherever I go now which is absolute gorgeous.

[@dantorres1844]

Nomad is great because it’s mobile, pretty powerful and has a great render engine, but zbrush is always going to be a more powerful beast. I agree with everything you said here, Glen. Personally, I use Nomad still to sculpt most of my models ro a certain point, but for detailing and refining I have to take it into zbrush as it offers far more control and options to get a model to a higher level. But yes, the learning curve for zbrush is steep. After a year of using Nomad, I thought I could just waltz into zbrush and I’d be set, but it took about a year of really sticking at it before I felt any kind of comfort with it. Customising the Ui is a must for new zbrush users, it’ll take some of the pain away! Haha

[@MaheerKibria]

So even back when this video came out blender could handle the number of polygons zbrush can which is about 100Million per mesh. But Blender needs more ram to do it. 16-32GB ram is more than enough for zbrush. Blender needs 32-64GB to do that same number of density you also need a decently fast processor. It has a problem also with the first stroke but after that it is decently responsive. I still prefer zbrush for the detail work but that is because Zbrush just has better brushes for that. I found nomad to not be as performant as blender on my workstation back than and even now.

[@creativeearthian1702]

Performance wise, Nomad wins because you need to compare programs, not hardware. If Nomad had 128Gb RAM and a Kilowat of power to work with, imagine what it could do. 100 million polys WITH real time rendering in true 3D

[@cwtjones]

I got both but rarely use Nomad. Recently, i updated the apps and started using it more, it is very impressive. The brush feels very natural, very close to zbrush's brush.

[@deebonash1495]

Nomad is evolving very fast. It may be one day be a portable zbrush. Ipad internally is becoming more graphic oriented. People are doing some insane renders on nomad

[@vapsman88]

Thanks, Glen! I tried ZBrush a few years ago but the UI was too daunting. I am used to 3D Programs having used many in a Military Grade Environment from mid 90's through 2005 and have seen many UIs, but Zbrush really needs to have it's UI rethought, in my opinion. I used Blender for Poly Modeling but couldn't do Sculpting very well. Nomad was really an improvement as it's UI is very beginner friendly, and I was comfortable right away, though I thing the Apple Pencil helped a lot as well. Thanks for all you do!

[@SouthernGFX]

It's a pleasure and yes the ZBrush UI can seem daunting. A lot of people have said that so I will be doing more content around that to help people.

[@diiegopc]

I'm in a middle of a Zbrush Domestika course, and when I discovered Nomad it was so satisfaying that I could make quickly advances. After that I improved in Zbrush also and I changed the user interface to look more like Nomad

[@octonolite_0]

I've been waiting for this video. There's plenty of videos comparing Blender to ZBrush, and few videos about Nomad, period. Thanks for this content.

[@SouthernGFX]

I am really glad you like it.

[@teabagNBG]

im still a total noob, but nomad really got me into 3d... i love the fact they have a "?" on almost every button... this explained alot of things too me.. i recently started zbrush and i def will use both but i think zbrush has alot more functions...

[@alexribeiro8805]

Sculpt+ (Android only unfortunately) they made Zspheres and is 99% similar too zbrush, makes me think if some Zbrush developer took over this app, because it used to be pretty simple! app!!!

[@johndeggendorf7826]

Started with Nomad & SouthernGFX and it feels like home base. As features are added I feel more & more confident in the long game. ✌️☕️🎩🎩🎩

[@SouthernGFX]

That's really good to here and thank you very much for your comment, I really appreciate it.

[@joodood3d]

Do you have a nomad zbrush4ipad comparison vid?

[@SouthernGFX]

Thanks for your comment. This is coming very soon!

[@aroid_artist]

Coming Friday ;)

[@ronaldbell7429]

Very fair comparisons. I have all 3. I took an online course to learn ZBrush and got to the point I was comfortable with navigation. But doggone it, it's weird and doesn't stick with me if I don't keep using it. I totally love Nomad. There's really something amazing about sitting down with an iPad and having so much power. (I just hope it can be brought to the Vision Pro)

[@SouthernGFX]

Thanks for sharing! I am sculpting everywhere as it's jsut so easy to take my iPad with me!

[@cwtjones]

Nomad is coming to desktop soon!

[@simonerullo6744]

Have you see quad remesher for nomad i love it

[@SouthernGFX]

Absolutely. I was lucky enough to beta test it and it’s a game changer.

[@RemyDovianus]

I've learned the basics / concepts of sculpting in Nomad Sculpt and easily could find my way into Blender after that, I think the learning curve would be overwhelming if I didnt learned Nomad Sculpt at first. :) Same should be with Zbrush. Great video as always.

[@dantorres1844]

I was the same going from Nomad into zbrush. Nomad is the perfect entry level software into digital sculpting, since there’s loads of applications that it opens the doors to

[@roofoofighter]

#1 difference is the price 🤑 Kind of silly to sidestep that

[@SouthernGFX]

Had it in at number 1 but it’s pointless even adding it. The Maxon pricing discussion is a world of hurt so I SIDE STEPPED as you put it, deliberately.

[@thanatosor]

This really much eye-open for ppl who never have experience in both softwares xD Now I understand why zBrush is industry standard. Very good comparison !

[@thehomesearchcolorado9649]

Great video. I looked at it nomad while ago. Guess it would be cool to sculpt on the go I learned box modeling from you years ago and had zbrush since v3. Yeah pricing now sucks but....love all the features. IMO yeah the interface is daunting at first but its totally worth gutting it out in the end.

[@Styrwirld]

Hi Im thinking on buying an ipad, but I am unsure if I should go for an M1, 16gb or the new air m2 8gb, what you think will allow me the max amount of tris while sculpting?

[@josefkasal5994]

Dynamesh is a bit worse in comparison to Nomad tesselation of voxel representation. And it is straightforward: the voxel cubic representation can be much better in estimating the Catmull-Clark tesselation math. In other words: it is a bit more predictive and if user knows how it works, he is able to mine the best of it. :)

[@vizeath]

Nomad Sculpt might not be as perfect as the industry standard 3D programs, but it is already fascinating enough that you can create 3D models using the same exact device that you usually use to send messages to your friends... I have a tablet with 10 inches screen and a stylus, but that does not stop me from sculpting using my 6 inches phone screen... Sometimes I like to sculpt while lying on the bed, under my warm blanket... And yet, still, this app got tons of bad reviews on PlayStore because some people don't wanna spend a single penny. They complain about not being able to export their project without paying... They said that Exporting is like a basic feature, and basic shouldn't cost anything... Well, for me it only costs like 14 euros, that's like a price for a pizza... Compared to Zbrush that costs as much as an iPhone...

[@EvilCleverDog]

This is a really useful breakdown, thanks! I've been trying to learn both Nomad and Z-Brush and as you say, Nomad as far more accessible to beginners. My main area of interest is hard surface modelling for costume armour and prop design. In your opinion, what is the best 3D modelling program for pieces like that? I sculpted and 3D printed an entire suit of armour using Nomad but I know I could have gotten some higher detail results in something like Z-Brush or perhaps Blender? Most people making videos about 3D modelling armour are doing it for character models, not to hollow out and print for a person to wear, so it's hard to figure out how much what they're doing translates to what I'm doing sometimes!

[@chrissoares23]

I have the hardest time picking up Nomad. I'll try it in fits and starts. But it never sticks. I struggle with the UI. Doing 3D on the go with a tablet sounds so appealing but feels so confined when I try to do it. I might have ruined myself with my big multi display desktop setup. Thrilled to see Blender 4.0 handling 50m polys like butter.

[@satay71]

Nomad can't sculpt the silhouette of a model based on user-view like Zbrush can. This is why I abandoned it quickly.

[@SouthernGFX]

Could you explain this a little bit more please. Give us an example of exactly what you are describing? Thanks.

[@jgr094]

It can now. Idk if it works the same as zbrush tho

[@mushnoodle]

I think he means shadowbox or infinite depth move tool @ op have you tried the triplanar object? (And “silouette” move should be avaliable in the move tool stroke setting if youre up to date)

[@jettryker]

Thank you so much for this info! I've been messing with Tinkercad and I love it, but I have felt like I need to take a next step in 3D design. I understand that cad and sculpting software have their differences but Nomad looks like great software to get my feet wet. :) What program are you using at 15:45? Is that Blender? Do you also use cad software? If so, what would you recommend as a next step from Tinkercad?

[@har3drewxkait749]

Yes it’s blender

[@KeithTalbotArt]

Nomad is great for most general sculpting. It does lack a lot of the special features that Zbrush has for refinement and heavy custom work. Zremesher and re-project being a couple of the main things I always jump into Zbrush for. Nomad is great though as you can just pick up your iPad and sculpt anywhere which is very freeing. I have a pretty old 2018 4gig IPad which at most can only handle about 10 mil polys if you work carefully so it is a little limited in that respect, but I know with the newer m1 and m2 iPads nomad is a beast.

[@IamShashi98]

How many 3D models can your iPad supports for 4gb ram😢 bcoz mine was same but hesitant to buy nomad sculpt

[@No_Plastic]

Amazing and thank you Glen for makng this video. Wondering if your Pinocchio model is for sale? :)

[@aroid_artist]

Thank you. I think they have made Pinocchio models for sale. I don't, of course. own any ownership of any part of Pinocchio. The actually puppets sell for high 1000's from shows like this. The Burton Nightmare original Puppets are worth a kings ransom!

[@pablogrande8971]

Good stuff Glen, thanks as always.

[@francescoviii3300]

is it possible to use zbrush on ipad pro with a m2 ?

[@IamShashi98]

It’s coming to iPad they posted a video about it on KZbin

[@TA3DArtist]

Great overview, Glen!

[@diiegopc]

thank you