When comparing ZBrush vs Cinema 4D, the Slant community recommends ZBrush for most people. In the question“What is the best 3D modeling software?” ZBrush is ranked 2nd while Cinema 4D is ranked 3rd. The most important reason people chose ZBrush is:
Can transfer work between other packages via AppLink and/or Bridge seamlessly.
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Pros
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.
Pro Easy to learn
Cinema 4D is heralded for its approachability. New users are not hindered by lack of familiarity with similar tools.
Pro Clean UI
Customizable floating palettes and configurable view panels let screen space be dedicated to the artwork, not the interface.
Pro Great modeling and animation Software.
It's super easy to learn, and there are lots of tutorials online. What really ticks me off, is that it's always rated below Blender, by Blender fanboys. Sure Blender's UI is way better now, after it's 2.8 release but not better than C4D's. Blender is open source, and has really good 3rd party plugins, and is always being updated which is great.. But it's not better than C4D. Just because Blender is "FREE" doesn't make it a better Software, while again I repeat it is a good Software. C4D is also capable of the same things, and possibly even more. C4d is really underrated. And I don't understand why there wasn't a "YES" under the (3D) section on the list for C4D.
Pro Rendering
Is simple for making good rendering
Pro Includes great tools for animation and motion graphics
Mograph is a set of tools in C4d that speeds up the process of making animations and motion graphics.
Pro Useful content browser
Cinema 4D comes fully-loaded with an extensive library of preset objects, materials and scenes that make it easy to get started with your 3D project. Use this outstanding resource to quickly develop concepts without spending time modeling (or wasting money buying models), or dissect complete scenes created by top C4D artists to develop your own skills. These highly curated libraries are custom-tailored to specific markets, with a wide variety of assets including models, materials and customizable presets.
Pro Sketch & toon
Very flexible toon rendering solution helps you to create amazing 2D cartoon style renders.
Cons
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.
Con Expensive
Starts at $995.00 with the complete version costing $3,695.00.
Con Doesn't make true Booleans like most other 3D Softwares.
It works in a parent and child structure, so when you subtract one object, from another, it remains there invisible, and can be moved around.