Topogun vs. 3D Coat for retopology

[El Burritoh]

We're trying some new workflow options for retopology at work. Zbrush's method is tedious to say the least. XSI, our workhorse, has excellent mesh constraints but limits us to the standard modeling tools and doesn't offer a streamline retopology workflow. So we're looking at Topogun and 3D-coat as well.

Both of these tools are super easy to use. Topogun has some funky behavior occasionally, and falls flat on its face with the "Relax" option. Trying the 3D-coat demo now and it seems very powerful (and with a good Relax tool).

What do people here use for retopology, and why? I don't think we'd use 3D-coat for anything other than retopo, except perhaps for painting (but there are other tools out there for that). So retopo is our primary goal here.

Pros, cons from people who've used these products? Like I said we're trying the demos now. Just looking for input from people who've done actual work in them.

[Intervain]

I bought a copy of Topogun a while back but essentially I still go back to XSI most of the time. I feel one major flaw of Topogun for me atm is the lack of edge extrusion [sometimes it's much faster to grab an edge and extrude it instead of drawing points]. I do sometimes use Zbrush topology tools but very rarely to be honest.

I've never tried 3d coat's retopo tools - you made me curious.

[BrettSinclair]

I gave both apps a try. I prefered 3d coats retopo. Its really simple too grasp.
But I could't justify buying the entire app for that. I usually use maya and zbrush for retopo.

[El Burritoh]

Thanks guys.

We're just about fed up with our current retopo options. Redoing a whole character with ZB or XSI takes too long, even though XSI gives us its full array of modeling tools in the process. I think we'd gladly pay the price of Topogun or 3D-coat to save a day or two on retopology.

And 3D-Coat's Relax function is downright fast!

[Neox]

bought both and ended up in 3dcoat, the spline tools and brush tools are just dope!