When comparing Paint3D vs ZBrush, the Slant community recommends Paint3D for most people. In the question“What are the best voxel editors?” Paint3D is ranked 4th while ZBrush is ranked 20th. The most important reason people chose Paint3D is:
Has a free trial version and a cheap full version.
Specs
Ranked in these QuestionsQuestion Ranking
Pros
Pro Affordable
Has a free trial version and a cheap full version.
Pro Scripting support
Can be used to generate models, import stuff, animate, etc.
Pro Can export traditional 3D models
Pro Interoperates with 2D paint programs
Pro Supports multiple voxel formats
Pro Easy to use
Pro Uses 32-bit color with real volumetric transparency
Pro Supports both "per voxel" drawing and smooth "sculpting"
Pro Plays well with others
Can transfer work between other packages via AppLink and/or Bridge seamlessly.
Pro Powerful brush system allows for lots of creativity
ZBrush lets the user sculpt an object in fine detail with customizable 3D brushes.
Pro Best for hi-poly modeling
Due to the nature of the program and how it uses high poly mesh sculpting it is best to consider this app when wanting high poly models, as that is what it aims to do best.
Pro Has low poly modelling tools with 4r7 version
Pro Can easily simplify mesh topology
Meshes sculpted with ZBrush can contain billions of polygons, but tools are provided to cleanly reduce the poly count.
Pro Always evolving and innovating
Every iteration of Zbrush has evolved beyond the last and has kept all other 3D package devs on their toes consistently.
Pro Best support
No other 3D package has had continued support from their parent company or community like ZBrush has had since inception.
Cons
Con The web site's domain is no longer available
Using the WayBackMachine to get the site's contact email address, I attempted to contact the developer to find out what the story is. There has been no response. The WayBackMachine's last archive date for the site was 11Jan2016. Their cached version of the paint3D.net's forum does not have any post explaining what happened.
Con UI is far from user friendly
Though, it's fully customizable. Like for any software, there is a learning curve.
Con Expensive
A single-user license for ZBrush costs $795.
But, Pixologic has not charged a penny for upgrades to licensed users since inception. Anyone who has purchased Zbrush has not been left behind.
Con An odd perspective view
Does not lend itself to cinematic or artistic renderings due to a strange perspective system found nowhere else in 3D which warps according to the relationships between models and rendering viewpoint - there is no real 'camera'.
It is sufficient for rendering your work on a sculptural piece or industrial design, but KeyShot Pro or any other PBR rendering program that uses a camera are recommended for scene rendering, at least in 4R7.
Con Open, Save, Export, Import not conventional standard UI
Authors refuse to use standard layout and the New, Open, Save, Export, Import are in unexpected positions. There will be no UI improvements.
Con Hi-poly only
Not, the case as there is now the Zmodeller Brush system which has a full suite of polygon Modelling options.