ZBrush 4

#1 I've been using zbrush since 2003(bought it for less than $200 back then)... keeps getting better and better. Pixologic just released 3.5r3 has many of the features promised for 4. Amazing sculpting tools, I am able to work on billion(!) polygon models fluidly with a year old quad core. Zbrush basically allows you to ignore polygons/edge flow/texture maps/UVs and just sculpt. Moving into T3D is relatively easy, with the only app switching to UV map your low res sculpt, re-import into zbrush and output your high res details as texture/normal/displacement maps.

I wouldnt bet on zbrush 4 coming out any time soon. They had talked about an August 2009 release date for it, kept pushing it, then finally just released 3.5. They tend to keep quiet until they release and there have been year+ long delays on release. Of course, every time the release is completely revolutionary. No other 3d app like it, not even close.

Here is a vid for the latest features of 3.5r3:
www.pixologic.com/zbrush/zbrush350r3/

Here is a link to the classroom vids:
www.pixologic.com/zclassroom/homeroom/

Anyways, I highly recommend if you are a 3d artist. It will take some time to get used to the interface, but once you do, the standard methods of modeling seem archaic in comparison.

#2 I thought about to buy ZBrush because the sculpting and painting seems to be very productive. Currently i have only TGE... so i can not use shaders but i can bake the models in Lightwave. I am more a programmer than a artist but this will change in the future.

The ZMapper is very interesting. I do not have to care about the resolutuon of the texture. I paint my textures and after i finished the artwork i have to decide the resolution of the textures.

Currently i use Bodypaint to texture my models. But there i have to set the resolution of the texture before.

#3 I adore ZBrush.