It looks like Pixologic it trying to push out the new version of Zbursh in time for their 10th Anniversary.

Information from:
http://www.zbrushcentral.com/showpost.php?p=678350&postcount=162

I have yet to get my hands dirty with this complete editing environment , but I made this post because I love the idea that if all you want to do is learn that it is free.  The Unreal Development Kit Beta is completely free for non commercial use.  And with monthly updates I’m sure this  development kit will be at the front line of this industry really soon.

For commercial use the UDK licensing site is now open.  Signing up as a commercial UDK developer is a very simple process that takes little time to complete. Anyone can purchase a UDK commercial license through www.udk.com/licensing.

Many notable additions and improvements are included with this month’s release:

• Unreal Engine 3’s new procedural building system enables users to very quickly create and edit good looking city buildings.
• UTGame, the example game content included with UDK, has fully transitioned to UDKGame. All content included with UDK (except for skeletal meshes) can now be used by commercial UDK games and applications.
• Cascaded shadow maps, dynamically shadowed translucency, and improved unbuilt lighting previews have been added to the lighting system.
• A new map, GDC_FeaturesDemo, is now included with UDK.
• The perspective viewport now supports depth dependent halos, making wireframe views much easier to read.
• The new asset consolidation tool provides a simple way within the editor to consolidate multiple assets into one asset.
• Also included are dozens of upgrades to the Unreal Editor, Unreal Matinee, Unreal Content Browser, and other Unreal Engine systems and tools.

Information from:
http://udk.com/news-beta-apr2010.html

The Space Navigator by 3D Connexion is a great tool for any one who wants more from their mouse besides just 2 axis. The joystick style nob gives you 6 axis to push, pull, roll and twist. This gives a feel like the nob siting on a free floating spring. The bad thing about this new found freedom of movement is that it maybe to free. At times it can be easy to move on an axis with out meaning too making this very sensitive to maneuver and nearly impossible to control only one axis. Proper use will come with time and practice making it a very practical tool for any 3d designer/developer regardless of it’s learning curve.

One of the other things that should be noted is that lack of proper software support for the hardware like zbrush and even blender though 3D Connexion states on their site that blender is supported. The issues with blender are that I have been only able to get blender 32bit to work even though I have a 64bit driver installed. Reading the forums there has also been many people stating they have had problems getting the new builds of blender to work correctly with it.

After trying the mouse out in 3ds max I can see there was a greater amount of effort that went into making sure it works and feels natural in 3ds making my experience with blender that much more disappointing knowing that my experience in blender could be equal to what it feels like in 3ds max with proper software support.

For $100 I give this mouse a 6 out of 10 for it’s great free flowing moments and it’s lack of good software support.

The Sound of Feldman from Mothership on Vimeo.

Sensation White from Mothership on Vimeo.

Chase from Mothership on Vimeo.

Crescendo from Mothership on Vimeo.

West of the Moon (trailer) from Mothership on Vimeo.

Memento Mori from Mothership on Vimeo.

Klop Drop from Mothership on Vimeo.

Paolo Ciccone, the same guy who made the Blender to After Effects Exporter has been hard at work making 5 training videos for people looking to learn blender over at creative cow.
have a look at them all here: http://leaders.creativecow.net/leaders/ciccone_paolo/

Weater – zbrush from daprato on Vimeo.

Tango – ZBrush from Ruben Martinez on Vimeo.

MGS Ninja from Alexander von Sass on Vimeo.

Girl by the Pool – ZBrush from Ruben Martinez on Vimeo.

Nude Queen from Athos Sampaio on Vimeo.

Samurai archer from evermotion on Vimeo.

Evolve CG – Hunter Challenge – Seyh Azam Mecnun – Onur Can Cayli from onurcayli on Vimeo.

Iquishi from John Strieder on Vimeo.

gremlins from Bernard Caumes on Vimeo.

Landing from pencracker on Vimeo.

Rigger Turntable from Per Niemann on Vimeo.

Turntable of Ugolino and his sons from Shames on Vimeo.

the snail from Josef Slotosch on Vimeo.

McFarlane’s Ogre Sculpt from Yongkiat Karnchanapayap on Vimeo.

The Gravity Of Being a Man from Athos Sampaio on Vimeo.

The Magdelena (Posed) (color) from Bache Tom on Vimeo.

Baring her rifle. from angel diaz on Vimeo.

Rei Turntable from Daniele Orsetti on Vimeo.

Gina_Reel from Anthony Vargas on Vimeo.

Mme. Colomba from Silkcats on Vimeo.

It’s just amazing how much detail you can get into your model from zbrush. I my self have just started to use the program and it feels very natural to use. From all the great work out on the net and from what everyone has been saying about the program it would appear that zbrush is one program that is a much have in your tool box.

Zbush sites link: http://zbrush.com

I should also give a plug to vimeo for people who don’t know who they are.
vimeo.com is where all of the video in this post are hosted, they provide the best quality in video hosting in my option.
link: http://vimeo.com

The theme auto detects if your on a mobile browser and shows a optimized theme for your phone.

Now you can get your fix on the road.

enjoy.
- Polygon pushers team.

Blender & Gaming

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Get your free copy here.
http://blenderart.org/issues/

BABIOLES_trailer 2 from matray on Vimeo.

Paolo made a video at creative cow showing how easy this is to do.

Script file: Blender After Effects Exporter: new version 1.03 http://preta3d.com/wp/archives/232
Video tutorial: http://library.creativecow.net/articles/ciccone_paolo/ae-exporter-blender/video-tutorial.php

Blender3d link: http://blender3d.org