LogInIntroducing an experimental feature for switching between desktop and VR modes to enhance efficiency for tasks that are faster with a traditional mouse and keyboard setup.
Released back in 2023 after some years of Early Access, Shapelab is an artist-friendly VR design application that offers a variety of powerful polygon mesh-based sculpting tools and employs a brush-based workflow with a set of typical brushes and modifiers, familiar to artists who use ZBrush.
Shapelab 2024, "the biggest ever update", introduces an experimental desktop mode support and multiresolution objects and subdivision levels workflow, along with a number of other fixes and improvements.
Now, you can switch between classic desktop and VR modes to streamline and enhance your workflow for tasks that are faster with a traditional mouse and keyboard setup. For Meta Quest Pro, Meta Quest 2, and Meta Quest 3 users there's an optimized auto-switch mode, while for other setups the developers recommend using manual switch only.
Note, that this feature doesn't fully support digital styluses yet.
Shapelab
If dynamic topology mode is not suitable for you, this new multiresolution objects and subdivision levels method might be your preferred approach.
Subdivide your mesh to create multiple "resolution levels" and seamlessly cycle through these levels while working on your creation, begin sculpting at a lower level to establish basic shapes and increase subdivision levels to refine the mesh when it requires intricate details.
Shapelab
Other changes include a basic automated quad remeshing system for generating low-poly cleaner quad-based meshes and a detail transfer system to transfer features from a high-resolution model with a less organized topology to another, potentially quad-based object.
There is also a new flat shading option, compatible with PBR and MatCap materials, which can now be also imported in .png format, three new environments with colors optimized for chroma key passthrough, and several workflow improvements, including the quick access radial menu, the ability to multi-select objects and to organize them hierarchically.
Check out Shapelab's YouTube channel for sculpting tips and tutorials to help you get started:
Learn more about Shapelab 2024 new features in the release notes here and don't forget to join our 80 Level Talent platform and our Telegram channel, follow us on Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, TikTok, and Reddit, where we share breakdowns, the latest news, awesome artworks, and more.