Natarthos

rlmorgan · January 2015

I would like to build my own castle.

Although there appear to be many packages to download that have everything I need I'd like to build most of it myself to truly learn how to use Daz3d. I realized to some this will seem a terrible waste of time.

I would not mind getting packages for things like rocks, trees, streams etc as they will be part of the finished product and I bet there are some beautiful work packages out there to choose from. But I really do want to learn how to build a stone, give it a proper stone facing like for granite or whatever rock I am building with, again, a likely package to buy as a rookie like me might take a generation to finish just that.

I really just want to make the castle and surrounding grounds myself instead of just buying a completed one.

Does anyone know of any tutuorials that might help me on that path? I learn fairly quickly so they don't have to be at the 8th grade level. :-)

I also want to build underground as my eventual project will be a great Dwarven city and at the very bottom surrounded by water fed by a waterfall will be my temple to Brell.

If this is in the wrong forum please let me know.

I have no experience on the forums but will likely be in here quite a bit so I don't know the policy on flaming, insults and the like. I spent 4 years in the US Army, have been told I was going to die 3 times, have lived with the same very strong woman for 36 years, raised two decent adult children and worked 32 years as a professional programmer; however I have been forced into retirement for health reasons. All of that has given me skin around a meter thick so I probably like Smaug without the missing scale. Flames will do nothing but bounce off with no effect other than to get rid of clinging vermin.

I am also looking for someone or maybe a couple of people who would not mind the occasional question or two. I will do everything I can think of including Binging or Googling until I start to drool and talk to the walls before I will bother you. Should you believe you are that kind of a person, please let me know. I have a sarcastic wit from much too early influence to Monty Python. My hours on the forums will be strange as my health issues force me to rest quite a bit. Not asking for pity, not part of my personality. Just stating what hours I might be on to see a reply. 7-11:30 am EST 2:00-4:00 pm EST 7:30pm to 11:00 pm EST and then up for at least 2-4 hours during the night depending on how rough the day was.

If you think a basic building block castle package would be the best way to start, then let me know. I would not mind saving hundreds of hours but by the end I will be able to create my own building stone and wood because the picture I have in my mind I want to bring to life as close to how I see it as possible. If that makes any sense.

So, thank you very much for reading. In the meantime, I will go back to the nasty list that Bing returned when I asked for +daz3d +castle building

Again, I hope I did not violate too many rules or offend too many sensibilities. My drill Sargent in the Army made sure that I cane out a sensitive fellow when I finished basic.

Have a great day, I will be watching my email inbox as well as going through the Bing list for the next hour or so. One of my grandsons is coming to spend the night so PaPa has to have something interesting to show him.

Nat

Herald of Fire · January 2015

There are a few 'build your own' castle packs available, but it really depends on the style you're aiming for. Many of them stick to the medieval style, which might not suit your needs.

For landscaping, I cannot recommend the rock and grass shaders enough. It's a quick, easy way to create beautiful rocks and grass and you can quickly create your own landscape just by using very basic primitives. As an example, the scene below is populated almost entirely by primitives. The uneven ground is a prop which has been textured with the grass shader.

rlmorgan · January 2015

Thank you very much for replying.

My grandson was at warp speed 7 when he came over and sped up when he realized he had the two of us and the cats to play with.

If you could harness the energy of a 3 year old you could run 3 cars.

I am going through all the basic Daz recommended help tutorials and what I see is getting me excited. The only thing I am beginning to worry about is my project will be quite large when it is done. Granted I will likely do it it in sections but it will still be big but I guess the zoom capabilities will take care of that pretty well.

This is very dumb question and feel free to laugh but is there free-form drawing in the application, especially computer assisted free-form as my hands are a bit shaky with the mouse and I really want thing to look good. I haven't searched yet for that capability as I am checking out so many others.

The rocks and grass package is a great idea so looks like I need to hit the store. My wife is giving me an early birthday present of $400 to buy what I want so I have to learn what I'm buying from what they show and say about the various packages.

To say I am mildly excited just would not do it justice.

Thanks!

Nat/Richard

cecilia.robinson · January 2015

Welcome to DAZ! :)

Firstly, I think you shouldn't be afraid of asking questions, people here come to help each other (and indulge in Anonymous DAZoholics' support group's meetings, but forget that). The idea you have sounds sensible to me, 3D will take money from you nonetheless, so saving is always a good move. So before you rush to spend this ridiculous (and awesome) sum your half gave you, read below and scout for deals, because 3D is addicting and money-consuming if you hurry.

Your thread is about building castles. Actually, DS has a feature called primitives - more or less, basic blocks like the old wooden ones. You choose a shape, then alter its shape by X, Y and Z axis - just go to "Create" and then choose "New Primitive". A window will show up, choose your shape here. Then, the axis will be available under Parameters when you have the object highlighted. Experiment and you will become a builder in no time. You could then make blocks and build a structure from them. You texture objects by going to Surfaces (Color). It's normally on the left. Here, highlight a material zone and either choose a diffuse colour from the palette or change the diffuse map (on the left) by browsing and selecting a picture from your hard drive. Seamless textures are the best for this kind of work, free ones can be found on DA, for instance. Diffuse colours are applied on top of the texture itself, so you can choose a gravel texture and - by applying brown diffuse colour from the palette - get a brown gravel effect. Again, experiment.

There are several ready sets of blocks to make castles. The most popular are those and you can get them for a couple of dollars if you are a PC+ member:

http://www.daz3d.com/fairytale-collection-fantasy-castle
http://www.daz3d.com/fantasy-castle-2011-castle-surround
http://www.daz3d.com/fantasy-castle-2011-castle-keep-2
http://www.daz3d.com/fantasy-castle-2011-castle-keep

There are also others, but I can't say much about them as I don't have them:

http://www.daz3d.com/fantasy-castle-plus
http://www.daz3d.com/fantasy-castle-construction-set
http://www.daz3d.com/vlad-castle

However, I think what you must do first is to get as many free items as possible, because once you have an item in your library, it is yours to keep, no matter the price change (so look for freebies regularly, at least once a week). There are several sets at the moment, some will also expand your knowledge as they are tutorials:

a) some tutorials to be read or watched outside DS:

b) tutorials to be used inside DS; they are often interactive - to proceed, you must click the proper buttons, thus learning how they work; they also come with important free items to get you started:

http://www.daz3d.com/using-auto-fit-michael-4-to-genesis-2-male
http://www.daz3d.com/using-auto-fit-victoria-4-to-genesis-2-female
http://www.daz3d.com/using-auto-fit-genesis-to-genesis-2-female
http://www.daz3d.com/using-auto-fit-genesis-to-genesis-2-male
http://www.daz3d.com/create-fiery-genesis-in-daz-studio
http://www.daz3d.com/slaying-the-dragon-bundle (look, a castle, a hill, some plants...)
http://www.daz3d.com/inside-the-asylum-bundle
http://www.daz3d.com/day-at-the-beach-bundle
http://www.daz3d.com/sci-fi-warrior-bundle
http://www.daz3d.com/dagger-dreams

c) other freebies, which are normally available for around a week (most appear here: http://www.daz3d.com/freebies):

Of course, if you want, there are also paid tutorials - currently 70% off: http://www.daz3d.com/tutorials. If I were to suggest trees, this coniferous one can be morphed into several kinds: http://www.daz3d.com/da-festive-tree. Rocks? I love http://www.daz3d.com/morphing-rocks-and-formations, but this vendor has many sets to make your own rocks, stony edifices and such: http://www.daz3d.com/morphtactic. However, try primitives first. And ShareCG has lots of freebies that work in DS...

Lastly, Fast Grab is a secluded place where items show up for 30% their price: http://www.daz3d.com/fast-grab-3d-models/. And don't hesitate to ask questions, there is no point in that! :)

PS See what is bundled with DS. Some items are only available in DS, some are versions of what can be found in the shop. For instance, this little guy is in DS, so don't buy it: http://www.daz3d.com/millennium-subdragon-le. What I suggest is to see the documentation, because this way, you won't buy something you have already got. The readmes are here:
http://docs.daz3d.com/doku.php/public/read_me/index/14812/start
http://docs.daz3d.com/doku.php/public/read_me/index/16280/start

Search for the similarly-named items in the shop, but remember some assets are found only in DS (like Persian Beauty Outfit).

Herald of Fire · January 2015

rlmorgan said:
This is very dumb question and feel free to laugh but is there free-form drawing in the application, especially computer assisted free-form as my hands are a bit shaky with the mouse and I really want thing to look good. I haven't searched yet for that capability as I am checking out so many others.

There's no such thing as a stupid question, only a stupid answer :)

Daz Studio isn't a modeling application, so you won't be able to design your own 3D mesh inside the program. At least, not easily. You can add primitives, group and modify them, but there's no way to treat the whole thing as a single object. When you say you want freeform drawing, do you mean 2-Dimensional, as if the picture was a canvas? If so, your best bet is to use an external program like Photoshop and edit in the fine details afterwards.

Daz Studio is a bit like the conductor of a band only replace the pianists with your 3D figures and the violins with your props. It brings all of those ingredients together and creates your symphony, or rather your 3D render. It can be a still or an animation, but ultimately it's bringing 3D into a 2D medium.

If you're working on animation, then freeforming every frame might not be the best way to work. There are programs like Adobe Premier (far from the cheapest example, mind you) which are better suited for adding post effects for animations. If it's merely a still image, you'll find it gives you more creative control to work with it in an external program.

Hopefully I've covered some of your questions, but feel free to ask away if something puzzles you. That's what forums are for after all!

Chohole · January 2015

AS HoF says, this forum is here for New Members to ask whatever questions they like and we will endeavour to answer them. We have a dedicated team which frequents this forum called the Community Volunteers. Many of the Forum Admin are also on the CV team, plus we do our best to keep this forum as friendly as possible for our New Members.

Each of the members of the CV team are selected because of their skills in various aspects of what you can do with the software programs and content you buy from the DAZ 3D store (and elsewhere). Plus of course there are other forum member like HoF who like to help our new members.

Hope you enjoy your time in the DAZ 3D forums.

cecilia.robinson · January 2015

HeraldOfFire said:
rlmorgan said:
This is very dumb question and feel free to laugh but is there free-form drawing in the application, especially computer assisted free-form as my hands are a bit shaky with the mouse and I really want thing to look good. I haven't searched yet for that capability as I am checking out so many others.

There's no such thing as a stupid question, only a stupid answer :)

Daz Studio isn't a modeling application, so you won't be able to design your own 3D mesh inside the program. At least, not easily. You can add primitives, group and modify them, but there's no way to treat the whole thing as a single object. When you say you want freeform drawing, do you mean 2-Dimensional, as if the picture was a canvas? If so, your best bet is to use an external program like Photoshop and edit in the fine details afterwards.

Daz Studio is a bit like the conductor of a band only replace the pianists with your 3D figures and the violins with your props. It brings all of those ingredients together and creates your symphony, or rather your 3D render. It can be a still or an animation, but ultimately it's bringing 3D into a 2D medium.

If you're working on animation, then freeforming every frame might not be the best way to work. There are programs like Adobe Premier (far from the cheapest example, mind you) which are better suited for adding post effects for animations. If it's merely a still image, you'll find it gives you more creative control to work with it in an external program.

Hopefully I've covered some of your questions, but feel free to ask away if something puzzles you. That's what forums are for after all!

Very good remark, I'd only add you can exchange PhotoShop with GIMP, which is free, but very powerful. MS PowerPoint is an overlooked postwork software too. I use it regularly, GIMP is too complex for me, I guess. Heh, I even know an artist who uses MS Paint only and gets incredible results. Oh, by the way, DA has a free DA-Muro programme, which combines Paint with more advanced features. It requires online work though.

If you really want to model yourself - mind you, model, not build from primitives - then you should look for a modelling programme. Blender is free and powerful, many vendors here use it. The bad thing is, it is rumoured to have user-unfriendly interface. Hexagon is a DAZ solution, supposedly user-friendly (I don't know), relatively cheap, with good tutorial base. Vendors use it too.

PS If you could tell us what kind of art you want to create, it would help. You spoke about dwarven fortresses. Fantasy then? Real life landscapes (i this case, Dreamlight has a couple of wonderful free sets)? Or bits of this and that?

rlmorgan · January 2015

Ok, first of all now that it is a bit deeper in the thread where few will and therefore a bit safer to related thing, I want to make it understood to everyone that I am not on a pity party. As my psychologist tells me, I've been dealt a crappy hand of cards and I simply have to play them; I have no choice. 11 back operations, 3 heart attack and some for of arthritis or fibromyalgia and finally bleeding ulcers forced me into early retirement and according to the doctors I should not be planning a new years eve party for 2020. I figure I have 1-4 or maybe 2-5 depending on how I respond to meds and treatments I also have 3 grandsons however one daughter has disowned me so not sure what that means for the grandson.

I was a business programmer for 32 years but it just got the best of me and I am now on disability from the Army where I first got hurt and the social security kind. we have never lived beyond our means so we are making it but long trips anywhere are out of the question.

I am stuck between bedroom, BR and my home office and the only thing I really have left to me is an old artistic ability I have not exercised in years.

I want to leave kind of a memento to the family and since we're all gamers, things like fortresses, temples and underground cities are fairly common subjects. I have this picture in my mind but I don't want to "cheat" and create something that was already created if you can understand the difference. I want to leave them something that has a lot of me in it that they can look at and remember the good times as we romped through various MMOs while they were growing up. Perhaps this is in itself a dumb idea and please feel tree to tell me so if yo think it is.

I had been closed beta testing a game that let you build everything so everything you come up with is yours. However it is starting to look like it might not make it to open beta or even then not for long and I simply don't have time to waste.

If you guys and gals think this is the best way to go then I will follow the advice above and work my tail off to become a good joiner. I really will miss creating things from my own imagination like special armor, helmets etc.

Thanks, and if the first paragraph is too much to deal with I completely understand. It's not the easiest of subjects to deal with, especially to explain.

Your respectfully,

Nat/Richard

Herald of Fire · January 2015

Quite an admirable goal.

My first suggestion is to take a look at Hexagon or Blender. Both of these programs can be used to create 3D models and figures which can be used in the Daz Studio software. Hexagon is Daz's own modeler, and has a bridge to Daz Studio to help simplify some of the conversion.

Since Daz Studio already has figures pretty well covered, it would probably be easier to use Genesis or Genesis 2 as your main character(s) since they're very pliable and can be morphed into a variety of different shapes, sizes, ages and even into different creatures like orcs or succubi. If you have a specific look in mind and nothing in the store fits the bill, you could also create your own outfits using Blender or Hexagon and import them for use fairly easily.

The benefits to the above are that you can retain full creative license to make whatever you want. Whether it's the world largest sandcastle or an underground fortress even the mightiest of dwarves would be proud to call home. Note that creating great 3D models is a art unto itself, but even a basic working knowledge of those programs will give you a strong edge into exploring your creativity.

I'm keeping the details broad to as to keep the post focused rather than tangential, but feel free to enquire about any of the topics if one piques your interest.

cecilia.robinson · January 2015

HeraldOfFire said:
Quite an admirable goal.
My first suggestion is to take a look at Hexagon or Blender. Both of these programs can be used to create 3D models and figures which can be used in the Daz Studio software. Hexagon is Daz's own modeler, and has a bridge to Daz Studio to help simplify some of the conversion.

Since Daz Studio already has figures pretty well covered, it would probably be easier to use Genesis or Genesis 2 as your main character(s) since they're very pliable and can be morphed into a variety of different shapes, sizes, ages and even into different creatures like orcs or succubi. If you have a specific look in mind and nothing in the store fits the bill, you could also create your own outfits using Blender or Hexagon and import them for use fairly easily.

The benefits to the above are that you can retain full creative license to make whatever you want. Whether it's the world largest sandcastle or an underground fortress even the mightiest of dwarves would be proud to call home. Note that creating great 3D models is a art unto itself, but even a basic working knowledge of those programs will give you a strong edge into exploring your creativity.

I'm keeping the details broad to as to keep the post focused rather than tangential, but feel free to enquire about any of the topics if one piques your interest.

The goal is more than admirable. I second HoF's opinion on the human figures. Creating one from scratch is an extremely complex process and for an artist, not a seller, simply not worth it. There are thousands of morphs to let you sculpt your perfect dwarven princess or whoever you imagine. If you want some ideas on what can be achieved, look into the marketplace (and knowing your dwarf affinity - we're in the same cart - I'd suggest searching for DarioFish at Renderosity; we're not allowed to link to paid items of 3D kind sold in competing shops, but you will find his assets easily). Besides, you are lucky now, because there is a huge sale with Genesis content for 30% the usual price, so you may want to take your time and get a considerable haul for a percentage the normal cost: http://www.daz3d.com/genesis-sale-3676.

I'd especially advise the following to consider:

a) you need fantasy races, so http://www.daz3d.com/genesis-creature-creator-bundle - this is a set of useful fantasy morphs for Genesis, I use it pretty much in every project; many fantasy creatures require it and now, it is going for less than $9.
b) Genesis allows mixing all morphs and many characters for free or for sale require certain packs; the most used are: V5 (http://www.daz3d.com/victoria-5), M5 (http://www.daz3d.com/michael-5) and Genesis Evolution Morphs (http://www.daz3d.com/genesis-evolution-morph-bundle). Considering this, see those sets and decide what you may need more: just Evolution Morphs for less than $10 now, a bundle of them and two outfits, a hairstyle and a troll character, totalling less than $12 (http://www.daz3d.com/genesis-starter-bundle) or a big bundle of widely-used morphs for a bit over $37, which includes Genesis Evolution Morphs, Genesis Muscularity, Genesis Evolution Expressions and the everyday 3D couple, V5 with M5 (http://www.daz3d.com/genesis-michael-victoria-combo-bundle).
c) if you decide to go vanilla and avoid creating your own hairdos and/or clothes, see what you can get on freebie sites and in the marketplaces. Genesis can autofit most assets, so you have broader possibilities. If I were to suggest something, I'd strongly advise getting this: http://www.daz3d.com/stalker-girl-hair, because it can be turned into several ponytails, but also - for the guys - a short hairstyle! I don't know the latest fashion among your dwarves, but those vendors have hairstyles and clothes as well as characters (skins with morphs, you can use them separately) fit for fantasy and more, some are discounted at the moment too (http://www.daz3d.com/3dream, http://www.daz3d.com/mindvision-g-d-s, http://www.daz3d.com/valea, http://www.daz3d.com/ravenhair, http://www.daz3d.com/swam, http://www.daz3d.com/aprilysh, http://www.daz3d.com/goldtassel). A small disclaimer: Ravenhair's items for Genesis are not displaying correct prices at the moment, they should be covered by the sale too, so I'll write a thread in The Commons, it should be fixed quickly. Pretty much everyone has MFD (Morphing Fantasy Dress: http://www.daz3d.com/morphing-fantasy-dress-for-genesis), Defiant (http://www.daz3d.com/defiant-for-genesis) and Morphing Hooded Cloak (http://www.daz3d.com/hooded-cloak-for-genesis), now Medieval Cloaks are also popular (http://www.daz3d.com/medieval-cloaks-for-genesis-females), just like The Skirt (http://www.daz3d.com/the-skirt), FM Jeans (http://www.daz3d.com/fm-jeans-for-genesis), Smay's Stalker Girl Boots (http://www.daz3d.com/stalker-girl-boots-for-genesis) and Stalker Girl Pants (http://www.daz3d.com/stalker-girl-pants-for-genesis). It is because those sets can be turned into many outfits by changing the way they are textured and hiding some portions. Morphs in those long hairstyles make them extremely versatile and worth having, at least one: http://www.daz3d.com/gregoria-hair, http://www.daz3d.com/xenia-hair, http://www.daz3d.com/marja-hair.
d) no dwarf is complete without a beard, there are various solutions, but most commonly used include: http://www.daz3d.com/short-beard-for-genesis, http://www.daz3d.com/genesis-beard and http://www.daz3d.com/actual-face-hair. I'd suggest checking out this: http://www.daz3d.com/look-at-my-hair-free-player. It is a free plugin allowing you to load free preset hairstyles (and beards!) from here: http://www.furrythings.com/presets-humanoids/ and further change their appearance inside DS. Here is a free set with a beard: http://www.renderosity.com/mod/freestuff/?item_id=71636.

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