ZBrush review

ZBrush is the professional sculpting tool on this list, and it runs on macOS, Windows and iPadOS. Maxon describes more than 200 proprietary brushes that let you work with polygons the way you would with clay, and the app handles millions of polygons, which is why it shows up in film, game and collectible pipelines. It is not limited to organic shapes: ZModeler, Live Boolean and polygon tools build hard-surface and low-poly models in the same environment. PolyPaint paints straight onto the surface without UVs, and UV Master and SpotLight help with texturing, while GoZ sends models to other apps. Licensing is dual platform, so a Mac and an iPad can run ZBrush at the same time. A 14-day free trial includes the full Maxon One suite. We could not confirm a USD price because Maxon's store served another currency to our checker. The interface is unlike any other 3D app and Maxon recommends a graphics tablet, so expect a learning period.

Who it is for

Character and creature artists sculpting at high detail

Price

See vendor pricing (USD check pending).

US price check pending. See the vendor pricing page.

Key features

• More than 200 proprietary brushes for clay-like sculpting
• ZModeler, Live Boolean and polygon tools for hard-surface models
• PolyPaint for painting directly on the surface without UVs
• UV Master and SpotLight for texturing
• GoZ to send models to other applications

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Dual-platform license runs on desktop and iPad at the same time
• Strength: Processor-based engine runs well on most modern machines
• Strength: 14-day free trial includes the full Maxon One suite
• Weakness: Maxon strongly recommends a graphics tablet
• Weakness: Interface differs from every other 3D app
• Weakness: Price check in USD pending, since the page served another currency here

Key facts

• Platforms: macOS, Windows (including Arm), iPadOS
• Brushes: 200+ proprietary brushes
• Licensing: Dual platform, desktop and iPad
• Free trial: 14 days

Where it ranks

ZBrush is No. 9 in our Best 3D Modeling Software for Mac verdict.