But did you try to import that fbx directly into KS? There’s no need to use that bridge. Maybe you can share the FBX it exported from ZBrush?
The ring you send as example looks bad in the viewport as well but that makes sense since the geometry is not smooth at all.
No, you can’t import files into the KS bridge version. You can only bridge them from inside ZB.
But if you start KS you can just import that FBX you exported earlier from ZBrush. That way you can see if it also has those weird, jagged, edges. There is no need to use the bridge than, just export to FBX and use KS to import that FBX again.
I’m afraid not. The KS - ZB bridge is not simply a convenience tool in KS. It is a different KS version that does not allow you to import any file. There is an import menu, but when you try to import, KS does not see any of the files you saved.
I might have to buy the full version, and at that point, I’ll have to wonder if it is worth it to me to pay the hefty price.
Ah ok, now I understand. Well you can share the FBX and I can check how that will import so you can contact the right people if it looks normal on import. I guess you can open KS files themselves so I can save it as well and you can check for yourself if that’s an idea.
OK. I made this simple, super smooth band, and there are no mangle angles and so forth. But the result is the same. Jagged render and is not even soft on the viewer either. How can that possibly be? Please render this model in gold using an environment etc… Thank you very much
Hi Marcos!
This looks indeed again to some low resolution render like you’ve zoomed in the result twice.
The geometry is perfectly fine although way way more polygons than needed for such a shape but the edges are nice and the edges follow the shape.
In the viewport it also looks really smooth. I used some appartement interior HDRI.
And the render also looks perfectly fine. The whites are less bright but that’s because I put it on ‘photography’ instead of ‘Basic’.
So with this model and KS is nothing wrong. I wanted to pack the Keyshot file but than I remembered you can’t open newer files in older KeyShots. I’m not sure which version you have next to the bridge else I can try to find the old one and install it just to get you a KS file to check for yourself.
I came across this page from about a year ago about the bridge thing: The ZBrush to KeyShot Bridge is now free | CG Channel
It seems that Maxon who now owns ZBrush wants to push their own renderer, RedShift, to ZBrush users to make it way less attractive to use KeyShot. Personally I think the price for KS is quite high compared to other renderers so I can imagine it’s a huge change for people who used the KeyShot bridge option.
That’s a bit off-topic though, you still have the low-resolution kind of impression in the viewport and render. It’s almost like you are in some kind of demo mode which limits the resolution you can render. I’m not sure if there is such a mode though. Do you still have an active KS license? As I understand you’ve bought the bridge once and had a special KeyShot for the render part which both need their license.
I searched for other ZBrush users with same issue but can’t find any. Maybe someone at KS can explain what’s happening since beside the ‘demo’ thing I can’t think of something else. I did see some people also getting a lot of polygons after transfer to KS and they used something like decimate or so in ZBrush which keeps it all a bit less heavy.
So if you want I can fix a scene in the same version you have but since the KS for ZBrush is kind of build in I’m not sure if you can load KSP/BIP files.
Oscar,
First off, thank you so much for your support, I appreciate that. I suspect this problem goes beyond technical issues. As you have pointed out there have been many changes in the KS - ZB relationship and the emphasis here seems to be on getting the pro version and a departure from the bridge and that explains a lot.
I’ve been using KS for years now and it looks like I’ll have to find another renderer as you well said it will be a huge change for ZB - KS users. Yes I have a license that I purchased for $400 dollars I believe. But the software is asking me to register KS. I have many license numbers for some reason and none of them seem to work. I have contacted Luxion in this regard. I’ll wait for their response.
Great tip on the Redshift. Tried to open the 14 version and it appears you have to have a Phd to be able to do it. I’ve tried for almost 40 min. and could not get it to work. No numbers to call, welcome to the post covid world. Will continue.
Blender starting to look good again. I know there is a learning curve but it looks like the learning curve to deal with all the other software complications is steeper.
Again, thanks for your support.
You’re welcome and happy too help. I hope it’s just caused by some missing link with KS license so you can use it again, that’s the least amount of troubles I would say.
I’ve no experience with Redshift and I’ve no clue how complicated it is to make a nice render. The nice thing of KeyShot is that it’s quite easy to make great looking renders. I used to do things in V-Ray which is really a nice renderer but absolutely not friendly for it’s users. That is, if you are used to a more point/click interface. If you know what you’re doing it has a great amount of possibilities and they working hard on the interface to make it less complicated.
There are currently more renderers to pick from and even free ones like Unreal Engine 5 but I’m not sure how well it can render jewellery since that’s quite complicated with the gems, refraction etc. And UE5 is far from friendly since it’s an entire game building tool but if you follow some tutorial and create some nice studio for your own renders it might work well.
Blender could be nice as a render tool but if you’re used to the freedom as modelling how it works in ZBrush with the sculpting tools I think ZBrush would win. It also really depends on what things you model what are nice tools to use. I model a lot in MODO because for me that was the first time I met a program that felt a bit friendly. Must say I did everything in SketchUp which is great for architecture models but more organic shapes are a pain.
KeyShot is a bit on it’s own since they really focus on a friendly way to do really nice renders. Still room for improvement like all other software but with a bit of drag/drop you get fast results and time is worth something as well. The monthly price should be cheaper in my opinion since it’s quite a lot for a renderer looking at other renderers or 3D programs with renderers build in. On the other hand, if you have a few render jobs each month it not that hard to let the clients pay for the subscription 
But that also depends a lot on the clients you serve.
Hope you’ll get on rails again by the support from Luxion!
Hi Marcos,
Unfortunately I couldn’t get in touch earlier as I was on vacation.
The ZBrush/Keyshot version is a modified version that has no import functions, which is why it only costs half the old Keyshot price, I updated to Keyshot 11, with the ZBrush/Maxon name there is no ZBrush/KeyShot version more, but the ZBridge works with the current 23 KeyShot version. I’m sticking with Keyshot and I don’t care about the Maxon updates with the inflated prices.
Back to the topic, I see problems in the topology of the upper ring parts, I quickly recreated them in ZB and upload them as ZTL and sometimes as obj for ZB, maybe that will help!
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1sVWJNCEmftCzKjhLiD6SpTnAEPqYJrZk?usp=sharing
Christian
Hi Christian,
Thank you for your reply. The question is, how can I continue to use my KS bridge. There is definitely a problem with this version. It all started with the update from 10 to 10.2. Is there a way I could roll back to version 10? There is nothing that can be done with the models. The renderer just render the same, no matter how clean of a model you put in there. I think the file is corrupt and I notice some other inconsistencies.
Thank you
Yes. I would love to keep using KS, as I’ve done for years since I’m not a 3D artist. I make Jewelry, and I use ZBrush to make some of my models. I love rendering my 3D work and also use it to get ideas of how something will turn out, and KS has worked beautifully. I hope I can fix it. No software is easier to use, offering high-end results as KS.
I’ve already given up on RedShift. Too expensive because I have to buy ZB again at a super high price. Makes no economic sense to me.
Blender, yes, just for rendering, is looking more and more like a good idea. The results are pretty much the same, only a steeper learning curve. Modeling for me is ZB only and a little bit of Rhino. I have many hours invested in ZB, and luckily, I have a “perpetual” license.
Interesting, I have the same issue with my ZBrush to KeyShot workflow. I tried to get rid of the effect with super high res geometry but that is not a good solution. I hope someone solves the mystery and explains in this thread : )
I’m using Keyshot version 11.3.3 and the ZBridge works perfectly, but I had to renew my license through Luxion customer service, Luxion customer service will also be able to tell you what the license update costs. Since Maxon is not interested in further cooperation, Luxion Support informed me that the ZBrush Bridge also works with the current 2023 Keyshot version, but now we also have to purchase the regular Keyshot version, which is still cheaper than Maxon, since who probably intend to sell ZBrush as a new version every year, that’s not affordable.
I would contact Luxion Customer Service via a ticket with your license details, I’ve done that and everything works fine for me.
what exactly doesn’t work with the ZBidge? unfortunately I made the mistake and updated to the last free ZBrush version 2022.0.8. The bridge is no longer able to open KeyShot and send the file, I work around the problem by opening KeyShot before sending the file and then everything works fine. To transfer the UV from ZBrush you must not forget to have assigned a texture to the object so that the UVs are transferred to KS.
Viewing a keyshot ksp file might help to solve the problem.
Hi @marcos.taquechel - I manage the Customer Success team and would like to have your customer success manager get in touch with you regarding options for your license. Can you please DM me your location? I can then have someone reach out to you ASAP. Thanks & we look forward to assisting you!
My problem was that my model done in ZBrush didn’t have correct normals. I tried the Edit Normals in KeyShot to fix it (mentioned by Oscar above) and that fixes it I think. So nothing wrong with the bridgeing for me. Apparently I am no ZBrush master since I don’t know where to fix it in ZBrush : )
Yes. I also regret updating from 10 to 10.2 bk that is when things went wrong. The bridge works fine, but I noted several inconsistencies in the program works. The first unacceptable problem is that the rendering is crappy, jagged, and low res no matter how good the models are. The UI looks clunky, and the thumb pictures are in low res ( a minor problem). Also, it sounds like my computer is struggling to keep up with KS, and that is strange since I have a super-powerful computer.
Hi Chistian.
Yes, when I asked Luxion that question they offered me an upgrade for $800, per year, a “discount” from the reg. $1200 per year. There is no way I’ll pay either of these. Even though I love KS I’ll be glad to move on to Blender at the cost of zero dollars. It seems to me that the bridge deal is something they want the faze out? Not sure. I’ll make some more attempts to have my KS work even If I don’t get access to any new update. But Luxion says I have to talk to Pixologic but when I try to reach for the support the send me to the Luxion page…
Hi Marcos,
the update from 10 to KS 11 was worth it in my opinion, also in terms of costs. ZBrush problems when sending or opening KS usually come from the virus programs, I had that myself, all antivirus programs, including those from Windows, really have to be deactivated during the installation, otherwise something breaks during the installation . The bridge was added to the ZB installation some time ago.
For me, the last 2023 ZB update is absolutely unnecessary and I will not go that route. I use Blender from time to time, but the cumbersomeness of this program is not a solution for me and takes up too much time. If money is really important then Adobe with Substance 3D etc. is an alternative that is still considerably cheaper than Maxon. But I’m sure that I’ll switch to the current Keyshot version next year, that saves me so much time because the euros are easy in it.
You don’t always have to update every year, but the painting function in Keyshot is just great.
After the update I am also rid of all possible bridge problems.
