Novica & Serene Night's Renders, Tips, Tutorials & Product Reviews Part 1
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if you like that - check this out and its cheaper - link
http://www.curvy3d.com/
this squirrel one made me really smile .. nice work :)
Curvy3d.com
As mentioned by Bigh (thank you- very interesting!) My sons are doing LightWave, I'd be a Curvy!) these caught my eye in the users forum. These are two artists' examples.
These made in Curvy3d, rendered in Bryce by Sculptor- this person is good!
http://www.curvy3d.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2457
http://www.curvy3d.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2467
http://www.curvy3d.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2307
"... started in Curvy 3D, rendered in Carrara and tweaked in Photoshop." by pfontaine2
http://www.curvy3d.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2454
http://www.curvy3d.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2453 Really cool! My favorite. And done in Carrara
TheBest3d.com has screenshots of Curvy3d. One site gave Blender as the alternative (free) but I assume a much steeper learning curve?
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http://designertoday.com/Reviews/2005.Reviews/2733/Curvy3D.aspx
http://www.thebest3d.com/curvy/index.html
TIPS: My First Experience With Letters. Product: Send A Message
Recommend: http://www.daz3d.com/send-a-message-bundle
You need the numbers too, so might as well. And the textures give you a LOT of options.
How hard can it be, right?
UGH. I'm sure- quite certain- that everyone else just BREEZED through their first plopping and lighting of letters- not me, baby. What was so simple (and I'm SURE it is) got complicated with shadows from some letters hitting the other letters, letters are next to each other which create a different light philosophy- they are the same distance from the light but branch out (left and right) and my angles just weren't cutting it, I've got basic questions about x,y,z scaling of lights- didn't see any changes, etc.
Here's a few tips to avoid basic problems- and if anyone has a better way to approach this, jump in. This took me HOURS to figure out and today was Sam's birthday so I gutted it out and got a few fast fixes figured out. Two lights work really well together (in addition to your Surfaces.)
I wanted a variety of colors so that isn't a mistake- kept the dappled theme of being in the forest with uneven light coming in. Here's one way you can do a quick letter/message setup:
1. Work from the BOTTOM UP. Do your last row of letters first. Set them on the ground plane and scale. I would recommend doing an A, B, C with each of those letters beginning a row, and you can see how to scale the letters in size. That will keep you from starting with the first row and then going "uh oh, I'm going through the ground plane!"
2. Since you want to show the gorgeous 3d effect, you know you won't do your letters directly from the front, but I found it's easier to bring them IN that way. Make notes because you'll want to remember the X, Y, Z as X is the one that will be changing, your Y and Z stay the same per each row. It's SO fast to do- import your letter, add about 5-8 to X, keep Y and Z the same, and adjust from there.
3. After you do your letters, THEN rotate to the desired view.
4. Now move your second row of letters (below, Happy) out AWAY FROM YOUR BACK ROW. (below, Sam) This AVOIDS THE SHADOW PROBLEM. Even softening the shadows to 100% you may still have them, or spend more time that you'd believe with this issue. (especially us newbies.) By moving your second and third row away from each other (in the view you're going to render) you'll avoid this. So do it for the third row (21st, below) too.
5. Last the lights. The two lights that worked the best for me were Spotlight and Point LIght. The Point Lights REALLY helped when the letters were moving away from the Spotlight. They were about 28 (what units?) away from the letter on Translation Z, if you use 100% intensity with them. (A lot of experimenting, to save you time :) ) So put a Spotlight, then spot render, and bring in a Point Light further away from the Spotlight if you have any fade out.
Anyone else with experience in letters feel free to jump in, or with lighting these suckers. It didn't help that I thought of this late at night before my oldest son Sam's birthday (today!) so it was "Okay, gotta fix this. May not be the easiest way, but GOTTA FIX IT!" Sam and I both love owls, I was the artist for the Mobile Environmental Studies Center and got to go in the aviaries and spend as much time as I wanted WITH the owls. Duncan, a Barred Owl, was my favorite. He'd actually move closer and was curious. Henceforth, this was Sam's birthday card with Noggin's Poser Owl. LOVE that owl- check it out. A lot of positions!
And Happy Birthday Sam!
OT: Just For Laughs
Riddle: What goes RRRRRRR....RRRRRRRRR. glub glub glub?
Answer: My husband Mike, using a chainsaw to cut the bamboo. Sitting the fully-on chainsaw down on the concrete to pull out the cut limbs...and the chainsaw vibrating itself along- over FOUR feet- to plunge into the deep end of the pool!
The birthday we'll never forget!
SERIOUSLY though- never set a running chainsaw down- THEY MOVE. Mike wasn't in danger as he set it far away from him but it scooted SO fast into the pool that it wasn't funny in that respect.
INFO: What Is Layer Image Editor
First newbies- DO NOT BUY IT- IT'S IN THE CURRENT VERSION.
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This is the description from the product page, which explains it- go see the screenshots.
http://www.daz3d.com/multi-layered-image-editor
The Multi-Layered Image Editor allows you to create, open, edit, and save DAZ Studio Layered Image sets (*.dsi). A DAZ Layered Image is a composite of image layers into a single Studio material file that can then be applied to an object's material zone in DAZ Studio via the Surfaces tab. DAZ Layered Images can be composed of any image file format supported in DAZ Studio (i.e., TIFF, PNG, JPEG, etc.). In addition, DAZ Layered Images can contain other DAZ Layered Images as part of its composition. The images composing the layers are not modified as the DAZ Layered Image file contains the pathname to the files and the opacity and blending information.
The DAZ Layered Image format provides a way of combining images without modifying the original images. For example, a tattoo could be available as an option on a figure. Usually, this might require separate texture maps for each skin color plus an extra set of maps with the tattoo. Using the Layered Image Editor, a DAZ Layered Image file could be built layering the tattoo over the skin maps and the resulting .dsi file added to the material file to load via a MAT pose file. The original skin map can then be applied to the figure without the tattoo or with it, all without having to create two texture maps.
This product is only compatible with DAZ Studio 3 and earlier DAZ Studios.
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This came up due to the wet body product- you'll need to know how to use the LIE (and even if not, know that when you see LIE it means Layer Image Editor. Since this thread is for newbies (and oldies, lol) I'm just sharing as I go along learning new things. It never hurts to know about lie-ing.
This thread from July pretty much tells you where to locate it, using it:
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/3314/
HeraldOfFire is helpful, as usual, with a further explanation
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/21352/#314476
Agent_Unawares is in the know too- but I got lost. If you're trying to change an outfit, take a peek. I'll come back to this sometime in the next century. (I'm trying to help YOU, remember? That's my excuse.)
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/19670/
YouTube video from WAAAAY back in 2008.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_D6doMGuudg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NoRX7i1_epo shows it in action
Hey, it's in German, but it's got the screenshots so you can follow along- and it's from 2012!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vG74DUGw1PQ
DONT ASK ME, my pdf reader wouldn't enlarge the pages- but it's got good graphics and step by step of doing something!
http://daz.tall-tales-racing.com/resources/creating_lie_presets.pdf
Very good screenshots, put an item on the shirt AND ITS FOR VERSION 4.5
http://4eyes.code66.se/?p=7608
If anyone wants to add anything, feel free. I'm not using this at the moment, just noted it on the forums and posting my research to come back to later.
I use Photoshop anyways . but thanks for the review :
Well.....Forbidden Whispers store has many 60% off items- and I am not seeing a flash sale banner yet- (cleared my cache, logged in and out, yada yada yada. There are many characters for Genesis on sale and also light sets. (This is 12 noon Central time, April 30th)
EDIT- it's up now. :)
Lights Contest- Some Good Links & Lighting Discussed
This will be a good thread to watch, new user or not- as lights are the focus of the contest. It also has some good links, also for Poser, Carrara, and Bryce!
Good luck to everyone! :)
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http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/21482/
FLASH SALE- 3D Universe. Get Your Santa Now!
Ya know, when you click on Hot Promotions, you'd think the flash sales would come up. THEY DO NOT. Note you have to go to Fast Grab.
And 3D Universe, one of my favorite vendors, is on sale right now for 60% off. (That is of course the vendor I grabbed my dragons from.)
This REALLY annoys me that they don't have the flashes under Hot Promotions- if you check the fast grab at the wrong time, (which don't change during the day) then you miss some of the Flash Sales? (it says four hours, but probably are longer?)
I grabbed
Baboon Business, Monkey Business, Toon Amy, Jason and Jasmin Bundle, Aven stuff, Pocket Pets Bundle, Toon Transport, etc. And as the title says, heads up- think ahead for Christmas- the Santa is only $4.78!
http://www.daz3d.com//3d-universe
Yesterday's Future Contest- Using Freebies And Sci-Fi
The monthly contest hasn't been posted but wonderful Rob has jumped in and is hosting a fun contest! If you like Sci-Fi and have some freebies you can join the fun by visiting here: (nice prizes!)
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/21454/
The Freebie challenge happens every month, and is a great place for New Users to get their feet wet in the contest world. It is the longest running contest on the DAZ 3D forums, over 6 years we have been going now.
Very informative thread, thanks for sharing your experiences Novica. (I'm going to have to take some time, read through from the beginning instead of dipping in and out.)
You're welcome :)
To continue in that vein, I answered another thread and it was about water in DAZ.
Making Water In DAZ Studio
Pointed out by ThinMick in a June 2012 thread, regarding a tutorial on Deviant Art. Tutorial by Afina79. If you try it, and feel like posting your results or experience, would love to hear about it here!
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http://afina79.deviantart.com/art/Creating-Water-In-Daz-Studio-159064896
***
Stock Images of Water
http://www.stockvault.net/c/water-and-liquid-textures
http://splashmagazine.com/2013/01/water-texture/
(look at the Pond Water one)
I'm trying this one:
http://www.flickriver.com/photos/freefoto/1240623004/
Well, I ended up with a black plane that was really reflective when spot rendered!
Okay, bulldog me (not going to give up THAT easily) is going to change the diffuse to 0 / 72 / 139 which is a royal blue (don't know how that tutorial used black and managed to get water, but all I got was BLACK.) The Specular is 128 / 128 / 255 which is a grayish blue, and the ambient I changed to a green 128 / 255 /128 (why not go for the gold and really experiment?)
I've plopped my two dragons in the plane and it is now spot rendering. Although they are still in the forest, I have turned on the default light so there will be some in the scene to reflect. Will post the image in a few minutes after it is done
Edit: posted pic in progress of spot render
I like the color of the water so green was a good choice!
But I think the size of the plane may be a factor, not seeing details of the dappling water. Will play around tomorrow sometime and let you know. :)
EDIT: I have sharpened the image and put more contrast in it, and changed the color settings. I lightened the blues but left ambient the green, as when I put more contrast in the water image, it darkened it a bit.
Well, at least I can tell you the colors, in case you like those! All settings are the same as the tutorial otherwise. This is using the darker water picture, above.
Diffuse 28 / 130 / 139
Specular 170 / 190 / 255
Ambient 128 / 255 / 128
EDIT: I'm trying to learn about bump- so just going to change those settings and see what happens. This first image was at the tutorial's settings of:
Bump 127%
Negative -.50
Positive 1.00
I will post a second image with the following settings:
Bump 200%
Negative -.80
Positive 1.22
Don't know if I'm going the right way or the wrong way with these. Image coming shortly, then I'm headed to bed (it's 4:15am)
Here tis. BOTTOM IMAGE: So there appears (to me) to be LESS detail (note the plant over there by the purple dragon's tail) in the reflection with the higher number on the negative bump? It seems like the glossy setting, which goes against logic (you turn up the glossy number, it turns DOWN the glossiness.)
I lied. I can't head to bed yet- This is buggin' me. I'm trying an opacity of 37.6% as the tutorial mentioned "messing with opacity." Regardless of the results, I'll post it for you. Be back in a bit.
EDIT: AHA!
Note to newbies- if you turn down the opacity note how much lighting was lost. It's SO much darker! So you might have to increase your lighting if you lower the opacity. Will post all three images together in next post so you can compare.
Remember, the middle one is the increased bump map (the first one is the tutorial settings) and the last one is the lowered opacity. NO LIGHTS WERE CHANGED.
But I'm still not seeing any of the water ripples (am I?) Well, yes- the plant on the upper right is triplicated (is that a word?) in the water.
I LOVE THE GREEN FOR THE AMBIENT!
With a point light added, white light, intensity 156%. Light was set -116 on Y translation.
Don't think I like the bottom one with the point light- it took out details. It's nice to know if you want murkier water. If you look in front of the green dragon you'll see what I mean about the details going poof. Here they are together (the same lowered opacity, but bottom one with point light.)
Now I'm done for the night. Hope you're learning something (even if it's what NOT to do, lol) Have fun experimenting- you can't learn unless you're trying!
EDIT: It looks more like my dragons are going ice skating rather than standing in water!
Tutorial on Bump Mapping
Has examples with the settings. I'll look at it tomorrow (zzzzzzzz) but wanted to share. (Now 5:15am.)
*** all
http://darkhound1.deviantart.com/art/Daz-Studio-4-5-small-tutorial-about-bump-mapping-348278445
http://daz3delightexp.deviantart.com/journal/Bump-Mapping-what-is-it-for-245280172
I think I posted this thread before, but since I'm doing bump maps-
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/17606/
Bump maps and shaders:
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/15868/
And this came up- but it's about creating MATS. Linking it to read later.
http://mtdremer.hubpages.com/hub/How-to-Make-Custom-MATs-for-DAZ-Studio
Handles, Animation For Poke Through
I was curious about handles. I may have mentioned them before, I've given up trying to keep track of 12+ pages. As I surf and Google, so I post. If you ever want to add anything, feel free! Then other Google results. Some interesting tidbits:
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/19983/
I think this is Carrara and handles
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/17707/#262180
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/15181/
This is back in 2009 but it uses animation for poke through
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZbAE2Hy168
Hmmm, isn't this the same as auto fit? Anyone tried it?
http://www.evilinnocence.com/crossdresser
Refresher on Collision
I had to go back and look up whether to increase or decrease collision, thought I'd post a reminder from this thread:
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/16764/#247081
Back in February, Tramp Graphics was SUPER nice to help me with smoothing and collision, which I hadn't heard of- and posted in answer to my question:
TG: "Collision Iteration is what determines the level of collision and how far from the object being collided with, the mesh collides. The smaller the number, the less collision."
ME: "And is collision equivalent to the amount of area that the two surfaces touch? So a low amount of collision would be less contact?"
TG:"Not quite. The lower the collision iteration, the more the meshes will pass through one another, and, thus, the more “poke-through."
(what a nice way of saying, "No, dummy....")
so if you have poke through and lower the collision number, you'll get more poke through. (See, I was thinking the less things collide, the better- so was doing it you-know-what- backwards.)
Wow, I didn't really think about it- but if you haven't done the Cinco de Mayo- that $5 off every $25 is NOT A CODE- every time you put $25 in your cart, it takes $5 off. So you still have a couple hours left- you can get $5, $10, $15 off doing it in groups of $25 purchases! (Get the $1.99 PC items to put you over if you're close.) I used it on the Raiya characters that were already 60% off!
Horse Video
Am currently uploading a video of Nova (my Arabian) for a little 3 year old girl and her 5 year old brother out in Washington. Bailey is a very special little girl. She has brain cancer. She loves Nova and up to now, has pictures- this will be her first video! After I set this to music, I just cried to be honest as I watched it, knowing what it would mean to her mom that Bailey has a horse she can call her "own." Bailey will most likely never get to ride a horse, she spends most of her time in the hospital.
I spent hours picking the song, it had to be perfect, as I wanted the perfect video too. Independence Day was that song. We want so much for Bailey to be independent of doctors, of hospitals, of surgery. I got the essence I wanted. Like after you do a render you really like, you know?
For those of you rendering horses, here's a great chance to have a video you can freeze frame and get the prancy poses. You'll see what I mean when he comes around the curve and does that wonderful Arabian floating gait for a few seconds- you'll know it when you see it. It's like air suspension. (EDIT: start watching at 1:00 to 1:04)
Nova was in rare form. You will see him come towards me during one of the laps, he loves to show off. We had been jogging around the pasture five minutes before that, and he was extending an invitation that I was happy to refuse!
http://youtu.be/kJJeFAp4kUs
Enjoy :)
Cathie
Second image- I managed to catch him in the float! If you don't know how to do screenshots, you got to Prt Sc,usually a key in the upper right of your keyboard. Then you go to a graphics program and hit ctrl + v. (or at least that's how mine works.)