02-Dec-11 09:00

New Digital-Tutors tutorial released: Creating Game Characters with ZBrush and TopoGun

Digital-Tutors released a new highly recommended online training course, Creating Game Characters with ZBrush and TopoGun.

"In this course we're going to use ZBrush and TopoGun to convert a very high resolution female hero character into a lower resolution game-type model. Sculpting applications like ZBrush are great for creating extremely detailed models, complete with surface texture and color. But to be able to rig, animate, or integrate these models into a game engine, we first have to convert the model to a much lower resolution. TopoGun is a great tool for taking our detailed meshes and allowing us to very intuitively redraw this new topology. In addition, it will allow us to project all of the mesh's detail onto maps. In this way we can use a lower resolution version of the model, while it still appears very detailed. We will start by preparing and exporting our dense meshes from ZBrush and then bring those into TopoGun as references. We'll use several tools in TopoGun to literally draw new base geometry right onto the high resolution meshes. We'll look at several of the tools available and how we can manipulate and change topology once it's been created. Once the topology is done, we'll create UVs for the new pieces and then generate maps for the detail and color information. Once we're done you'll have created your own game-type character from a very dense sculpt and you'll have the knowledge you need to repeat the process on your own creations."

16-Nov-11 10:52

Preview: Creating Game Characters with ZBrush and TopoGun Tutorial

Digital-Tutors are about to release a new video tutorial, Creating Game Characters with ZBrush and TopoGun.

You can preview it here.

16-Nov-11 10:44

Interview with TopoGun, at TideArt

TideArt interviewed Cristi Prefac, the creator of TopoGun. You can read the interview here.

16-Nov-11 10:37

TopoGun full learning course by EZ is now available

EZ launched a Topogun Full Learning Course. It contains over 4 hours of videos.

You can purchase it from here: http://3d-model-designer-warehouse.com/dlg/cart/index.php?action=desc&pn=43&c=14&page=

18-Oct-11 14:18

TopoGun 2.0 review at Max Underground

Max Underground published a review on TopoGun 2.0 BETA1.

You can read it here: http://www.maxunderground.com/topogun_20_review .

28-Feb-11 10:53

TopoGun 2.00 BETA1 build 12492 released

The current build number is 12492! If the version you have installed is different, uninstall the old one and get the latest installer, or download the updater, if available.

26-Feb-11 03:07

TopoGun 2.00 BETA1 build 12464 released

The current build number is 12464! If the version you have installed is different, uninstall the old one and get the latest installer, or download the updater, if available.

25-Feb-11 06:08

TopoGun 2.00 betatesting started

We announce you that the TopoGun 2.00 betatesting has started.

Please go at www.topogun.com and download the install kit, in case you want to participate. For those who already downloaded the install kit, note that the latest build number is 12492, so if you installed an older TopoGun 2.00 version, please uninstall it and install the newest one.

The upgrade from TopoGun 1.xx to TopoGun 2.00 will be FREE OF CHARGE for existing customers. However, the TopoGun 2.00 licenses pricing may be subject to changes.
If you already have a TopoGun 1.xx license, you can activate and use TopoGun 2.00 BETA1 by using your existing licensing details. You don't have to uninstall TopoGun 1.xx from your system, they work just fine together.
In case you have a SINGLE license (activated as Online or Offline), you should activate TopoGun 2.00 BETA1 on the same computer you installed TopoGun 1.xx to, otherwise there will be a licensing conflict. Also, in case you activated your license as Online, make sure you do not return your license to the server from TopoGun 1.xx before installing TopoGun 2.00 BETA1, the license can be activated on both versions, as long as they're installed on the same computer.

Remember this is a BETA version of the software, so there are great chances that some of the features need some more work, so your feedback is highly appreciated. The forum will be used for feedback and error reporting, but we also strongly suggest you to use the built-in error reporting tools, providing details about the circumstances of the crashes and your email address, for further clarifications.
Also, due to the fact that this release is not the final one, no documentation on the new features has been written. Anyway, here you can watch several videos showing the most relevant new features.

What's new:

• The Symmetry has been rewritten and it works with all the tools. You can create custom Symmetry Planes and Symmetry Warps, so you can use symmetry on arbitrary rotated objects or on objects with slightly asymmetrical features.
• The Morpher extension helps you modify the reference mesh and have the modifications bounced back to the scene geometry. This way you can basically review the highpoly sculpting process after the lowpoly retopologized version was created. The Morpher can also be used for creating lowpoly versions of digitally sculpted blendshapes or for posing lowpoly geometries like their corresponding highpoly references.
• The Draw tool has been upgraded, it supports two new line types, the Section lines and the Sweep lines, which help you retopologize cylindrical parts of the reference mesh.
• The new Tubes tool also helps you retopologize cylindrical parts of the reference mesh, by using a slightly different approach.
• The Brush tool: modify vertices with industry standard brushes and tablet pressure sensitivity support.
• The Extrude tool allows for edges extrusions.
• Double clicking on a border edge in SimpleEdit mode selects the entire border edge loop.
• File history: access the latest opened/saved scenes from within the File menu.
• Scene crash recovery makes it impossible to lose any scene data, due to unexpected software errors.
• Merge Scene: now you can merge polygon data into an existing scene, from external files.
• To Full Shell command helps selecting the current geometry shell, including its vertices, edges and polygons.
• The Spin Edges command.
• Select Path now works on edges too.
• Online activated license can now be returned to the server via the website.

22-Feb-11 03:36

TopoGun 2.00 sneak preview videos available at Vimeo

Several TopoGun 2.00 sneak preview videos are now available at Vimeo.
The TopoGun 2.00 betatesting will start in a matter of days. The upgrade from TopoGun 1.XX to TopoGun 2.00 will be free of charge for existing users.

22-Mar-10 00:57

New TopoGun videos available

Joe Pikop recorded and shared two very good TopoGun videotutorials. Check out the VIDEO section in order to view them.

09-Mar-10 00:38

TopoGun for OS X released

We're excited to announce that TopoGun for OS X was released today. Grab the install kit from the download section and if you like it, you can buy it from our online store.

If you already have a TopoGun license (either used with the Windows build or with TopoGun for OS X beta), you shouldn't buy another one, as your old license works with TopoGun for OS X too.

Remember you should return the license to the server before uninstalling any previous version, in case you're using the Online activation mode. If you're using the Offline activation mode and used the license with TopoGun beta for OS X, write down your license activation data for future use.

We'd like to thank everybody who contributed to betatesting TopoGun and helped this project come alive.

09-Mar-10 00:30

TopoGun 1.06 released

TopoGun 1.06 is now available for download. This is a free of charge upgrade for existing customers.

Remember that you have to uninstall any previous version of TopoGun and TopoGun License Server before installing the new version.

If you're using the Online activation model, you should return the license to the server, prior to uninstalling. In case you're using the Offline activation model, remember to write down your license activation details.

What's new:

1. Numerous bugfixes.
2. Improved user interface.
3. The floating licensing server is now available as a Windows service too (TopoGun License Service), so there is no more need to run the server under a logged-in account.
4. Right clicking when the Bridge tool is active switches to the SimpleEdit tool.
5. Vertex Conforming is now fully multithreaded, using up to 256 CPU cores.
6. Border Vertices and Border Edges on the fly calculus.
7. The Show Borders option in the Options menu, to enable/disable border vertices and edges display. The border vertices and edges display characteristics can be tweaked in the Preferences window.
8. Antialising for scene elements rendering. This option can be enabled/disabled in the Preferences window.
9. There are no more Main or Secondary vertices and edges, the rendering pipeline and interface have been simplified.
10. The Preferences window Colors tab was updated, in order to reflect the changes.
11. The Steady Mouse feature allows you to create smooth mouse paths, with any tool you're using. The option can be enabled/disabled in the Options menu. Currently, its only real use is in conjunction with the Draw tool, in order to help you draw smooth lines. The Steady Mouse Radius can be modified in the Preferences window.
12. The Reject Inner Faces feature helps in removing unwanted faces that are created in the interior of three or four sided tube-like meshes. The option can be enabled/disabled in the Options menu.
13. Implemented a keepalive like command in TopoGun,  TopoGun License Service and TopoGun License Server, in order to keep connections alive and not have them lost on timeout by some routers.

15-Feb-10 05:20

TopoGun 1.06 RC1 released

We're happy to announce you that TopoGun 1.06 RC1 is now available for download.

Remember that you have to uninstall any previous version of TopoGun and TopoGun License Server before installing the new version.

What's new:

1. Numerous bugfixes.
2. Improved user interface.
3. The floating licensing server is now available as a Windows service too (TopoGun License Service), so there is no more need to run the server under a logged-in account.
4. Right clicking when the Bridge tool is active switches to the SimpleEdit tool.
5. Vertex Conforming is now fully multithreaded, using up to 256 CPU cores.
6. Border Vertices and Border Edges on the fly calculus.
7. The Show Borders option in the Options menu, to enable/disable border vertices and edges display. The border vertices and edges display characteristics can be tweaked in the Preferences window.
8. Antialising for scene elements rendering. This option can be enabled/disabled in the Preferences window.
9. There are no more Main or Secondary vertices and edges, the rendering pipeline and interface have been simplified.
10. The Preferences window Colors tab was updated, in order to reflect the changes.
11. The Steady Mouse feature allows you to create smooth mouse paths, with any tool you're using. The option can be enabled/disabled in the Options menu. Currently, its only real use is in conjunction with the Draw tool, in order to help you draw smooth lines. The Steady Mouse Radius can be modified in the Preferences window.
12. The Reject Inner Faces feature helps in removing unwanted faces that are created in the interior of three or four sided tube-like meshes. The option can be enabled/disabled in the Options menu.
13. Implemented a keepalive like command in TopoGun,  TopoGun License Service and TopoGun License Server, in order to keep connections alive and not have them lost on timeout by some routers.

27-Jan-10 07:28

The CGSociety Challenge XXV - B-Movie started

The CGSociety Challenge XXV - B-Movie has started and we are proud to announce that we are one of the challenge sponsors.

09-Dec-09 02:55

New CGBOOTCAMP.COM TopoGun videotutorials

New TopoGun videotutorials are available at CGBOOTCAMP.COM. Their site is getting better and better, you should check it out.

20-Oct-09 00:30

TopoGun beta for OS X started

TopoGun 1.05 M32 BETA was launched.
Please go the DOWNLOADS section and download the application. You can also find the TopoGun License Server for OS X in there.
In order to install TopoGun or TopoGun License Server on your mac, copy the .app file to the global Applications folder (in case your account has Admin rights), or in your local Applications folder (create one in your user home folder in case it doesn't already exist).
One important aspect is that you can use the beta commercially until the final version for OS X is released.
The current beta build expires on December/2009 and might be extended, in case there are problems.
If you already have a TopoGun license, you can use it with the beta. This should deactivate the program expiration date, but still, is highly recommended to update to the latest build, if any. Please check out the beta forum from time to time.
The betatesting feedback will be posted on the TopoGun for OS X betatesting forum.
In order to be able to post in there and become a registered TopoGun betatester, you should join the Betatesters usergroup.
Please remember that betatesting also means giving feedback, either positive or negative. Your help is required to find bugs/issues, so TopoGun will eventually become better and better.

15-Oct-09 02:08

TopoGun beta for OS X announced

TopoGun for Mac OS X is ready and the betatesting will start in a couple days.
Everyone who wants to join the betateam should register to the TopoGun Forum and join the public Betatesters usergroup.

27-Sep-09 08:55

TopoGun 1.05 released

TopoGun 1.05 was released today. Get the install kit from the DOWNLOAD section.
Very important!!! Uninstall any previous version of TopoGun before proceeding to install TopoGun 1.05.
Those who have a Nodelocked license can use their activation codes in TopoGun 1.05 too. The Nodelocked licensing model is now called "Offline".
The Floating licensing model remains the same in TopoGun 1.05.
The upgrade is free of charge for existing customers.
If you own a Nodelocked license, you are able to switch to the Online activation model, free of charge (if you bought the Nodelocked license before September 28). Contact our Support department in order to make the switch. You must use the same email address you used when you purchased TopoGun and also provide us your name and serial number, in order to make the switch.

Changelog:

• TopoGun and TopoGun License Server now work fine under limited accounts on Vista. The installer should be launched from the user account you want to install TopoGun for. You should NOT run the installer under Admin rights, although you will be asked later for an Admin password. Also, after installation, TopoGun should not be run under Admin rights either. Remember that TopoGun will be available only from the user account it was installed for;
• Online licensing model. For SINGLE licenses, the user is able to take his license anywhere and activate it if he has an Internet connection, by using the Online activation method (the single user license is portable);
• Fixed alot of bugs;
• Autosave feature: You can always recover the scene prior to the crash moment. The scene is automatically saved in the same folder as the original scene, using the same file name, except the extension, which is .bak. All you have to do is change the extension from .bak to .tgs and load the file as a normal scene;
• Bridge tool improved rendering;
• Improved startup time;
• You can use ZBrush 3.5 polypainted reference meshes in TopoGun. Make sure you check the Colorize option before exporting the tool from ZBrush as a reference mesh (.obj). You'll be able to visualize the vertex colors and also bake them into textures, by using the Bake TopoGun feature.

 

24-Sep-09 08:05

TopoGun gets new website

TopoGun gets a website facelift and a new hosting service. Also, the old TopoGun forum is officially closed and replaced by a brand new one.

26-Aug-09 12:44

TopoGun 1.0 update (build 3258) is now available for download

Along with some bugfixes, the most important addition is the autobackup feature. Each time the undo queue changes, a copy of the current scene is saved within the same folder, using the .bak file extension. In case TopoGun crashes, you can recover your work very easily by changing the backup file extension from .bak to .tgs.

Please uninstall any previous TopoGun version before installing the new build.

26-Aug-09 03:19

TopoGun is now on Twitter

You can now follow TopoGun's development much closer and stay tuned to any news and updates. Click HERE to access TopoGun on Twitter.

26-Aug-09 01:47

New TopoGun videos available

Thomas Mahler recorded and shared two very good TopoGun videotutorials. Check out the VIDEO section in order to view them.

25-Aug-09 05:37

TopoGun 1.0 W32 zlib1.dll fix

Some Windows 32 bit operating system builds don't have zlib1.dll included by default, so some TopoGun 1.0 W32 users won't be able to launch the application.
A quick fix to that is downloading zlib1.dll from here and copying it to the Windows\System32 folder.
If you didn't install TopoGun 1.0 W32 yet, please go to the DOWNLOAD section and download TopoGun 1.0 W32 one more time, as the install kit now contains zlib1.dll.

24-Aug-09 04:47

TopoGun 1.0 License Server is now available for download

TopoGun 1.0 License Server is now available for download. Go to the Download section in order to get it.

You should download and install TopoGun 1.0 License Server in case you choose the FLOATING licensing method.

24-Aug-09 04:40

TopoGun 1.0 W64 is now available for download

TopoGun 1.0 for Windows 64 bit is now available for download. Go to the Download section in order to get it.

24-Aug-09 04:34

TopoGun 1.0 W32 is now available for download

TopoGun 1.0 for Windows 32 bit is now available for download. Go to the Download section in order to get it.

24-Aug-09 04:11

The TopoGun betatesting program is now finished

Thanks to everyone involved in betatesting TopoGun and helping it become better and better throughout the last years.

Today, the betatesting is finally over and TopoGun is ready for it's first commercial debut.

Starting from now on, the TopoGun beta end user license agreement expires.

24-Aug-09 04:01

www.topogun.com is launched

The TopoGun website was redesigned and republished.