Tuesday, December 18th, 2018 Posted by Jim Thacker

Z Tools for Houdini live links Houdini and ZBrush


Tools developer Alexey Vanzhula has released Z Tools for Houdini, a live link between Houdini and ZBrush, Pixologic’s digital sculpting package.

Transfer geometry and paint changes between ZBrush and Houdini without the need to export
The add-on provides an equivalent to Pixologic’s GoZ technology, which links ZBrush to DCC software like 3ds Max, Cinema 4D and Maya.

Any changes made to a model in one application are automatically transferred to the other without the need to export or import files manually.

The software is intended to speed up workflows in which ZBrush is used to create a base sculpt for use in Houdini, or its more specialised tools are used to refine an existing Houdini asset.

As well as changes to geometry, the add-on transfers 3D paint data from ZBrush’s Polypaint toolset, and makes it possible to launch ZBrush’s ZRemesher retopology tool via a button within the Houdini interface.

Pricing and availability
Z Tools for Houdini is available for Houdini running in Windows or Linux, although to use it on Linux, you will need to run ZBrush under Wine. It costs $20.

Get Z Tools for Houdini via Alexey Vanzhula’s Gumroad store