ZBrush

ZBrush is one of the leading 3D sculpting tools on the market today. Whether you're looking to work in game design, digital art, or 3D animation, there are a wealth of tools that can help you bring your imagination to life. ZBrush also supports the creation of 2D animation and "2.5D" animation, which adds texture and depth to traditional two-dimensional models. The wealth of options available can leave the interface sometimes feeling crowded and obtuse, but it works well once you get a grip on it.

And the latest version of ZBrush is only building upon those existing features. While ZBrush was once focused primarily on painting and texturing models created in another program, the newly introduced ZSketch mode adds more traditional sculpting to the mix. Flat shapes can be painted and textured and then laid over an existing armature, a type of wire-frame model that serves as the basis for most 3D modeling design. These models also come with a dedicated sculpting tool now. ZSpheres allows you to distort and combine together different orbs to create just about anything. It's not the traditional approach to 3D design, but it offers a new twist that works pretty reliably.

ZBrush may have started off as a pretty simple tool, it's since developed into a pretty impressive suite for every step of 3D modeling and design. As long as you can get past the fairly substantive learning curve, it can serve reliably as a core part of your digital design tool kit.