Novica & Forum Members Tips & Product Reviews Pt 11

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Comments

  • Serene NightSerene Night Posts: 17,647

    For me, I want to be able to kitbash. This is one of the nicer men's short outfits, because the shorts has some fitted quality you don't see in the average over-sized men's short sold in the store. It's a disappointment they aren't separates. I also am sad the neckerchief is not separate since I could use that for the cowboys. It has an impressive drape. I don't think the shirt has a good collar under the scarf, so the shirt is probably a wash as a separate though.

    The shoes and socks and hats are separate though, and you probably can hide the mat zones of various sets to make them look okay, but I'd rather just load wha tI need than a lot of modeling I don't need.

  • Worlds_EdgeWorlds_Edge Posts: 2,152

    I love the apocalyptic action and used it in a render for the Its Raining Men Contest.  I believe I may have also layered my character on top of the background that used the action.  Here it is.  Until you guys started talking about photoshop actions, I'd forgotten that I got several around the same time.  I'll try them out this weekend and if I like any of them enough, I'll post up the results.

  • Worlds_EdgeWorlds_Edge Posts: 2,152

    Here are a couple renders of CC Foster  I think he makes a fantastic warrior or creature type character.  He comes in human form, or with very natural looking fangs/ears morphs.  I used a watery/silvery eyecolor, but he comes with quite a few options.  I particularly like his shape because while he has a strong/muscular body, he doesn't have that blocky or thick-waisted or short-waisted look.  The first two are human form, with the first one out of the box, the rest all use boss lights.  The last two show off his fangs and ears.

      

     

    CC Foster test 1.jpg
    372 x 789 - 92K
    cc foster test 2.jpg
    1066 x 1072 - 256K
    cc foster test 3 and 4.jpg
    2472 x 1236 - 1M
  • NovicaNovica Posts: 23,887

    Interesting. One of the sets in Fast Grab by Perspect X was discussed in one of my old thread posts- the furniture is from another one of their sets which wasn't Iray. So be aware if you own Furniture Set 3:Modern that's what's in Residential Living Room in Fast Grab but the living room is Iray. It's so easy to apply the Iray Uber Base and shade the furniture, so if the furniture is the main reason you're buying the living room, see if you already have a lot of it.

  • NovicaNovica Posts: 23,887

    @worldsedge  He does have a nice body type. His arms seem a lot thicker and shorter, not the typical arms. I like his eyes, the lighter color is quite striking.

  • greymouser69greymouser69 Posts: 501
    Novica said:

    Interesting. One of the sets in Fast Grab by Perspect X was discussed in one of my old thread posts- the furniture is from another one of their sets which wasn't Iray. So be aware if you own Furniture Set 3:Modern that's what's in Residential Living Room in Fast Grab but the living room is Iray. It's so easy to apply the Iray Uber Base and shade the furniture, so if the furniture is the main reason you're buying the living room, see if you already have a lot of it.

    Actually it doesn't look like the furniture set is included with the living room.  He lists the furniture set as part of the used in promos and not as part of what is included in the set.

  • IceDragonArtIceDragonArt Posts: 12,548

    I love the apocalyptic action and used it in a render for the Its Raining Men Contest.  I believe I may have also layered my character on top of the background that used the action.  Here it is.  Until you guys started talking about photoshop actions, I'd forgotten that I got several around the same time.  I'll try them out this weekend and if I like any of them enough, I'll post up the results.

    Your link goes to the front page of Daz....

  • FishtalesFishtales Posts: 6,119

    I love the apocalyptic action and used it in a render for the Its Raining Men Contest.  I believe I may have also layered my character on top of the background that used the action.  Here it is.  Until you guys started talking about photoshop actions, I'd forgotten that I got several around the same time.  I'll try them out this weekend and if I like any of them enough, I'll post up the results.

    Your link goes to the front page of Daz....

     

    It takes me to the image in the gallery, which I liked :)

     

  • Charlie JudgeCharlie Judge Posts: 12,739
    Fishtales said:

    I love the apocalyptic action and used it in a render for the Its Raining Men Contest.  I believe I may have also layered my character on top of the background that used the action.  Here it is.  Until you guys started talking about photoshop actions, I'd forgotten that I got several around the same time.  I'll try them out this weekend and if I like any of them enough, I'll post up the results.

    Your link goes to the front page of Daz....

     

    It takes me to the image in the gallery, which I liked :)

     

    Same here

  • IceDragonArtIceDragonArt Posts: 12,548

    That was weird.  Works for me now as well.

  • Richard HaseltineRichard Haseltine Posts: 100,956

    That was weird.  Works for me now as well.

    I had a forum link do that (go to front page) earlier.

  • BlueIreneBlueIrene Posts: 1,318

    The link to my wishlist often goes to the front page, and I had a forum link go to the front page earlier too.

  • Robert FreiseRobert Freise Posts: 4,444

    It's one of the forum Gremlins that strikes every now and then

  • gitika1gitika1 Posts: 948
    edited July 2018
    L'Adair said:
    Novica said:

    I want Mokie!

    (See Slosh's hair product. Look in the thumbnails!) 

    Yeah, he (she) is really cute.

    Is it a new marketing tactic on his part?

    ColorWerks, Mokie

    Vernea Fae Outfit, Jules

    Chef Outfit and Hair, Piggaroni

    These bonus plush toys are great…

    Which has Piggaroni?

    NVM. Old eyes, small phone screen, didn't see the product title - just the cute pig

    Post edited by gitika1 on
  • NovicaNovica Posts: 23,887
    edited July 2018
    Novica said:

    Interesting. One of the sets in Fast Grab by Perspect X was discussed in one of my old thread posts- the furniture is from another one of their sets which wasn't Iray. So be aware if you own Furniture Set 3:Modern that's what's in Residential Living Room in Fast Grab but the living room is Iray. It's so easy to apply the Iray Uber Base and shade the furniture, so if the furniture is the main reason you're buying the living room, see if you already have a lot of it.

    Actually it doesn't look like the furniture set is included with the living room.  He lists the furniture set as part of the used in promos and not as part of what is included in the set.

    Oh heavens, glad you caught that. No one did in the old thread!! (and I can't change it, the thread is closed.)  Which does bring up the issue of that promo art being EXTREMELY MISLEADING. Vendors shouldn't be allowed to fill a room with furniture AND PREDOMINENTLY when the set does not include it. Granted, it's listed, but what you see should be what you get when it's something THAT major. It's most of the scene in the main promo. 

    Post edited by Novica on
  • NovicaNovica Posts: 23,887

    New Flash sale- don't miss this one- 60% off the stores, build your own bundle!  Don't know if it stacks with other banners, you'll have to test it. 

  • MelanieLMelanieL Posts: 7,384

    Aparently not. (At least on a few item combinations I tried.)

  • L'AdairL'Adair Posts: 9,479
    edited July 2018

    It's one of the forum Gremlins that strikes every now and then

    Not just the forums. I was looking at a new release and it's textures from the main "shop" page, opening each to a new tab, and the first opened to the root, while the second opened to the product page. Tried the first again, and it opened correctly…

    Novica said:

    New Flash sale- don't miss this one- 60% off the stores, build your own bundle!  Don't know if it stacks with other banners, you'll have to test it. 

    The banner specifically states it won't work with "ANY" items already on sale. Like Melanie, I tried it. No glitch today, sadly. but you do get to use it twice!

    Okay, I'm adding the banner image here:

    BYOF banner ad

    Post edited by L'Adair on
  • RGcincyRGcincy Posts: 2,834
    edited July 2018

    I was a tester for Kindred Arts new dForce Laundry. It comes with a variety of male and female clothing and underclothing, with 3-4 materials for each item to change the look. These are not clothes for your figures to wear as they are not conforming; rather, they are relatively low-poly props designed for reliable dForce'ing.  They are already set up to dForce - add the prop to a scene, rotate and position as desired, then run a dForce simulation. You can simulate items one by one but I've found you can do a dozen or more at a time without taxing your system.  Although I show how to use dForce to drape clothing in my dForce thread, for some that may be a lot more work than they want to undertake, especially as a lot of Daz clothing can explode if you don't have the right settings. The other thing I like about these new props is they help deal with the "too clean" look of 3D art: most life is messy and these can help create that mess.

    Here are two renders to show the product in use. The first is set in i13 Versatile Bath with Poses  and the second is set in Rundown Bedroom

    KA dForce laundry 1.jpg
    1200 x 960 - 943K
    KA dForce laundry 2.jpg
    1200 x 960 - 665K
    Post edited by RGcincy on
  • Serene NightSerene Night Posts: 17,647

    I picked up the laundry set. I do like dforce laundry and having dforce ready clothing will be useful.

     

    Also took advantage of today’s sale to buy three items at 60 percent. Great deal.

  • L'AdairL'Adair Posts: 9,479
    edited July 2018
    RGcincy said:

    I was a tester for Kindred Arts new dForce Laundry. It comes with a variety of male and female clothing and underclothing, with 3-4 materials for each item to change the look. These are not clothes for your figures to wear as they are not conforming; rather, they are relatively low-poly props designed for reliable dForce'ing.  They are already set up to dForce - add the prop to a scene, rotate and position as desired, then run a dForce simulation. You can simulate items one by one but I've found you can do a dozen or more at a time without taxing your system.  Although I show how to use dForce to drape clothing in my dForce thread, for some that may be a lot more work than they want to undertake, especially as a lot of Daz clothing can explode if you don't have the right settings. The other thing I like about these new props is they help deal with the "too clean" look of 3D art: most life is messy and these can help create that mess.

    Here are two renders to show the product in use. The first is set in i13 Versatile Bath with Poses  and the second is set in Rundown Bedroom

    I was also a beta tester. I'd like to expand on @RGCincy's comment about issues with using Daz Clothing for creating messy rooms… high resolution textures, figure bones, bits and pieces such as buttons, buckles, etc. Basically, lots of unnecessary "stuff" that uses more memory, and can slow down your Iray renders. (Not sure if it affects 3DL or not.)

    These props don't have any bones and all the parts are "welded"… you won't have sleeves falling separately from the shirts, etc. No "hard" objects, like buttons and buckles, to get distorted from the drape. And because these are props, (unless something changed since I got my copy,) most of the textures are in the 2048 x 2048 range. High-rez enough to look good, while putting less of a drain on your system.

    Just one more Kindred Arts product I can highly recommend!

    Here are a couple of my test images:

    I even did a test with all the products being simulated at the same time, and had  no issues with my GTX 1080.

    I did all my testing using the Current Frame option. For the piles, I increased the stabilization time to 1.5 or 2.0.

    01 Pile without Towel.png
    1354 x 890 - 1M
    01 Pile with default Towel.png
    1354 x 890 - 2M
    Post edited by L'Adair on
  • NovicaNovica Posts: 23,887

    I did test the "only use it twice" as it states on the promo, and sure enough, you can only use it twice. 

    Also remember to look at the graph and see which items don't go on sale very often (if you have the Daz Deals plug-in.)  I combined that with how much things cost and got the most expensive that don't go on sale regularly. The third factor was versatility- how much it could be used- so I picked up Zahara Hair (11.18), Police Vehicle Bundle (19.98, normally $50), Ultimate Grass and Meadow Worldbuilder (14.78)   I have a lot of grass products already, but 60% up was the get-another-one price point. 

    The other cart was FG Evening Room and Kaiya, then for fun the Wedge Sandals.

  • NovicaNovica Posts: 23,887
    edited July 2018

    Just a thought-

    When was the last time you contacted your internet provider and asked for a better deal/ to see what deals are running for existing users? 

    I have 100 mbps download and 10 mbps upload. 1000GB data usage.

    I called because I have two VERY active video gaming developers/gamers and remember the one who had their Xbox fried by lightning a couple weeks ago? We had to get another one (gaming is how he makes his living) and he had to re-download all the games. Wham, we went over the 1000GB as others of us have been known to watch Netflix while working. 

    Anyway, their 200mbps and 20 mbps upload, with 2000 GB data usage- WAS THE SAME PRICE as the 100/10 for 12 months, then $20 more a month after that. Since the past billing cycle I got hit with a $25 overage fee, DUH, why pay a fee and not double the speed and data usage?

    Even at the regular price, I'd be getting double the speeds and data to use. So am I getting the max? It states "up to" those amounts.   I AM A HAPPY CAMPER.  200 / 20 was the goal, some people are 30-50 mbps under the "up to..." amount (or more.) We're OVER the 20 for upload, and only 2 mbps off the 200 download!  EDIT- and I am wireless and on the other side of the house!

    So call your internet provider and see what deals they have for existing customers. Wish I had done it sooner, so passing this along!  TIP: first get your upload/download speeds so you can compare. I was sitting at 94 and 11  for the 100/10. So there's a good bit of difference (off by 6 on the 100 plan, only 2 on the 200 plan for the downloads.)  My cable company uses Xfinity to test speed (the support tech who came out to our house shared that with me a couple years ago), and that's what I use. It's consistent on all our computers throughout the house. Don't know if it works outside the U.S. though.

    So using it, what speeds are you getting right now? Is your plan coming through for you?

     

    speedtestJuly26.png
    500 x 355 - 160K
    Post edited by Novica on
  • MattymanxMattymanx Posts: 6,908
    edited July 2018
    Novica said:

    Just a thought-

    When was the last time you contacted your internet provider and asked for a better deal/ to see what deals are running for existing users? 

    I have 100 mbps download and 10 mbps upload. 1000GB data usage.

    I called because I have two VERY active video gaming developers/gamers and remember the one who had their Xbox fried by lightning a couple weeks ago? We had to get another one (gaming is how he makes his living) and he had to re-download all the games. Wham, we went over the 1000GB as others of us have been known to watch Netflix while working. 

    Anyway, their 200mbps and 20 mbps upload, with 2000 GB data usage- WAS THE SAME PRICE as the 100/10 for 12 months, then $20 more a month after that. Since the past billing cycle I got hit with a $25 overage fee, DUH, why pay a fee and not double the speed and data usage?

    Even at the regular price, I'd be getting double the speeds and data to use. So am I getting the max? It states "up to" those amounts.   I AM A HAPPY CAMPER.  200 / 20 was the goal, some people are 30-50 mbps under the "up to..." amount (or more.) We're OVER the 20 for upload, and only 2 mbps off the 200 download!  EDIT- and I am wireless and on the other side of the house!

    So call your internet provider and see what deals they have for existing customers. Wish I had done it sooner, so passing this along!  TIP: first get your upload/download speeds so you can compare. I was sitting at 94 and 11  for the 100/10. So there's a good bit of difference (off by 6 on the 100 plan, only 2 on the 200 plan for the downloads.)  My cable company uses Xfinity to test speed (the support tech who came out to our house shared that with me a couple years ago), and that's what I use. It's consistent on all our computers throughout the house. Don't know if it works outside the U.S. though.

    So using it, what speeds are you getting right now? Is your plan coming through for you?

     

    Or checked with a competitor instead.  While I had no issues with my previous ISP, their customer care was great, the cost kept going up and I was getting nothing out of it.  Looking to save money I went shopping around and found out that Virgin Mobile, owned by Bell Canada here (Ontario), is offering a better package at $13 less WITH unlimited bandwidth.  So I jumped over and it turns out that the 50MBps down they show on thier site is the minimum they gaurentee.  I actually get 65MBps instead.  plus 10 up if anyone cares.  Not to mention that my first 3 months were free.  So for a mere $60/m CDN, i have much better internet.  The same package through Bell or Cogeco is $30/m more.  Only difference is that Bell offers a faster upload which I dont need and Cogeco's upload is the same.

     

    EDIT: forgot to mention, no modem fee and no activation fee with Virgin for home internet.

    Post edited by Mattymanx on
  • NovicaNovica Posts: 23,887
    edited July 2018

    @mattymanx   Yeah, what I did was mention a competitor's price I found on another site, because when I first mentioned the upgrade, they didn't volunteer the information. I had to tell them the deal/ask for it. Good advice! 

    Just tested DIM speed, it really went up. Was between 13MB and over 15MB.  I used to get 5-10ish. There were a lot of product updates today.

    Can we please get the stupid forum fixed? When adding an attachment,  it says file not found but it's there when posted. This has gone on for DAYS now. 

    DIM speed.png
    351 x 273 - 36K
    Post edited by Novica on
  • Serene NightSerene Night Posts: 17,647

    I am my own internet service provider. I work for the company and also get free service from them... lol. Service is excellent though but tech support is lousy. Someone should complain about it...oh wait.....

  • Serene NightSerene Night Posts: 17,647
    edited July 2018

    Duplication.

    Post edited by Serene Night on
  • NovicaNovica Posts: 23,887
    edited July 2018

    Another thing mattymanx brought up- get a plan that doesn't charge, or buy your own modem and router. Be sure it's on the approved list by your provider. We were paying $7 a month but I can't remember for which one. The tech also said not to pay more for something that is way past what your service gives you, aka you don't need something that can do 500mbps if you have a plan for 100. Going for one that is 200 would make more sense so you COULD upgrade your plan. 

    Post edited by Novica on
  • NovicaNovica Posts: 23,887

    @serenenight  LOL  But I hear their tech support is a wiz at sci-fi renders.

  • RGcincyRGcincy Posts: 2,834
    L'Adair said:

    I was also a beta tester. I'd like to expand on @RGCincy's comment about issues with using Daz Clothing for creating messy rooms… high resolution textures, figure bones, bits and pieces such as buttons, buckles, etc. Basically, lots of unnecessary "stuff" that uses more memory, and can slow down your Iray renders. (Not sure if it affects 3DL or not.)

    These props don't have any bones and all the parts are "welded"… you won't have sleeves falling separately from the shirts, etc. No "hard" objects, like buttons and buckles, to get distorted from the drape. And because these are props, (unless something changed since I got my copy,) most of the textures are in the 2048 x 2048 range. High-rez enough to look good, while putting less of a drain on your system.

    I even did a test with all the products being simulated at the same time, and had  no issues with my GTX 1080.

    I did all my testing using the Current Frame option. For the piles, I increased the stabilization time to 1.5 or 2.0.

    Excellent points and I like your images. Funny that I ended up using the same stabilization time.

This discussion has been closed.