ZBrush 2027.0.1 Bridge fails to install/load in Substance Painter 2026.12.2.0 (Steam) – Missing zbrush_painter_plugin

Hello,

I'm experiencing an issue with the ZBrush to Substance 3D Painter Bridge. ZBrush can successfully send mesh data to Painter, but Painter does not appear to have the new zbrush_painter_plugin installed or loaded.

Instead, Painter continues to execute the older ZBrush_to_Painter Python startup plugin, which fails because its required template file zbrush_template.spt is missing.

Software versions

• ZBrush: 2027.0.1 (installed through Maxon App)

• Substance 3D Painter: 2026, version 12.2.0 (Steam edition)

• Substance Connector: 1.2.2

• Operating System: Windows 11

Expected behavior

The new ZBrush to Painter Bridge should work with my software versions. Painter should load the new zbrush_painter_plugin and receive the mesh data from ZBrush.

Actual behavior

1. ZBrush has the Texture > Substance Bridge menu.

2. Sending a mesh from ZBrush successfully generates an FBX file.

3. Painter receives the task and starts processing it.

4. However, Painter does not show zbrush_painter_plugin in its Python menu.

5. Painter instead executes the old ZBrush_to_Painter startup plugin.

6. Project creation fails because zbrush_template.spt does not exist.

Error log

ValueError: Template file does not exist

File:
C:\Users\pg052\Documents\Adobe\Adobe Substance 3D Painter\python\startup\ZBrush_to_Painter\zbrush_template.spt

The error occurs in:
ZBrush_to_Painter\__init__.py
Line 233: create_templated_project()

sp.project.create(
    mesh_file_path=...,
    settings=settings,
    template_file_path=template_path_str
)

After project creation fails, another error occurs:

substance_painter.exception.ProjectError: No project loaded.

This appears to be a secondary error caused by the failed project creation.

Troubleshooting already performed

• Verified Substance 3D Painter files through Steam.

• Confirmed that the old ZBrush_to_Painter startup plugin is being executed.

• Confirmed that the required zbrush_template.spt file is missing.

• Checked the Painter Python Plugins folder: zbrush_painter_plugin is not present.

• Checked the ZBrush installation through Maxon App; no newer update is available.

• Confirmed that ZBrush can generate and send the FBX file to Painter.

Questions

1. How can I obtain and correctly install the new zbrush_painter_plugin for the Steam edition of Substance 3D Painter?

2. Is there an official installer or a downloadable package for the new Bridge plugin?

3. Why is Painter still loading the old ZBrush_to_Painter startup plugin instead of the new Bridge plugin?

4. Is this a known deployment issue with Substance Painter 12.2.0?

I would appreciate instructions for manually installing or repairing the new Bridge plugin without reinstalling both applications.

Thank you.