Custom thumbnails, geometry files and appending in zBrush

Rascal3D

Four unrelated questions from a poser user who is using DazStudio:

Question 1: I have tried to created custom thumbnails for the ones generated within DazStudio, but they aren't recognized when I go back into DS.  I usually take the original one, import it into Photoshop, edited it and resave it over the original "filename.png.duf".  I have noticed that the file size changes -- it gets bigger.  Do I have to change the image format when I export it from Photoshop?  What am I missing to make a workable/recognizable custom thumbnail?

Question 2:  I have made quite a few props for DazStudio; after importing the .obj and adding its materials, I save it as a prop asset.  Coming from a poser background, most people save the .obj somewhere in their runtime folder, but I see that products for DS don't have separate .obj files.  I'm guessing that they are embedded in the duf file, saved in the data folder, or does DS make a external call to the original .obj file that is stored elsewhere on my harddrive when it loads the prop?

Question 3: When using zBrush to make JCM for clothing, do I export the posed clothing to zBrush and then come back to DS and export the posed figure?  Once in zBrush, I then append the posed figure to use as the reference for making the morph.  Is this the correct way of doing this?

Question 4:  What is the proper method to parenting a character prop? For example, if I have a model of handgun that has the slide and tigger rigged with bones to the main body of the gun frame and then I want to parent to G3M/G3F's hand, do I pose it (from a zeroed position) within DS and then save it as an Actor asset?  I could also pose it in an external program such as Hexagon or Blender, but then I would have to re-rig it from the posed position!? 

Thanks for any answers or advice!

Richard Haseltine

1 A png with the same name as the file should be all that is needed. Do note that the default thumbnail wil be saved as filename.duf.png, you either need to include the .duf in the name or to delete the original png.

2 The .dsf files in the Data folder should be self-contained, though there is a link to the OBJ and DS can try to load that as a fallback.

3 Yes, that is right (or has worked fr me at least)

4 not sure what you mean. If you have already saved as a prop asset you can use a Wearables preset to save it parented to the hand.

Rascal3D

Hi Richard,

Thank you (once again) for your help.

In regards to Q2, if I was to sell or give away my props, would it be prudent/necessary to include the .obj somewhere in the zip file?

 

Richard Haseltine

It should be enough just to include the data folder - especially if the OBJ wasn't in a mapped content directory when imported, in which case it will be stored with an absolute path that will work only on your machine.