Adobe has released Substance 3D Modeler 1.6, the new version of its VR sculpting tool.
The update introduces a new Snake Hook mode to the Warp tool, allowing users to sculpt organic forms like tendrils or tree branches by indefinitely dragging the virtual clay’s surface.
Sculpting Organic and Hard-Surface Models in VR with a Virtual Clay Workflow
Launched in 2022, Substance 3D Modeler empowers users to sculpt both organic and hard-surface models in virtual reality or on their desktops using a mouse and keyboard.
Similar to its predecessor, Medium (acquired by Adobe in 2019), it employs Signed Distance Fields to represent 3D space, rather than relying on polygonal meshes.
This approach blends digital sculpting with Boolean modeling, enabling users to build forms with virtual clay and then combine or carve into them with Boolean operations.
You can find more details in this story on Substance 3D Modeler 1.0.
New in Version 1.6: Snake Hook Mode for Organic Sculpting
The main enhancement in Substance 3D Modeler 1.6 is the integration of the Snake Hook mode for the Warp tool.
Unlike the existing Single mode, Snake Hook applies continuously, allowing for the infinite dragging of the virtual clay’s surface, as demonstrated in the video.
Suggested applications include the creation of organic forms, such as tendrils or tree branches.
Improvements to the Buildup Tool and Materials Workflow
The 1.6 update also includes workflow refinements, particularly to the Buildup tool, which now incorporates triplanar mapping to minimize artifacts and defaults to free placement in VR.
Moreover, materials are now preserved alongside geometry when copying and pasting objects or importing scenes.
Price and System Requirements
Substance 3D Modeler 1.6 is compatible with Windows 10+ and various VR headsets.
It is available through Substance 3D Collection subscriptions, priced at $49.99/month or $549.88/year. Perpetual licenses are also accessible via Steam for $149.99.
A comprehensive outline of the new features in Substance 3D Modeler 1.6 is provided in the online documentation.
