Confused about figures vs characters

Sertorial

I am a bit confused about what is a figure and what is a character in G2F

I understood that Genesis 2 female is a figure and that Belle 6, Victoria 6, Cara, Clair etc are characters for G2F

When I load the G2F base figure, it shows in the scene tab as G2F (all good!)

But when I load a Belle 6 it shows up in the scene tab as Belle 6 (not G2F)

When I load a Cara, it shows up as Victoria 6! (but I thought Victoria 6 was just a character of G2F?)

How come they don't all show up in the scene tab as G2F? Aren't they just all characters?

It would be really good if someone could create a family tree as this is all very confusing!

cecilia.robinson

You are right, Gen2F is a figure and Belle (or any "person" with 6 after the name) is a major shape. The naming is redundant in the Scene Tab. Don' worry, you can always rename it if it worries you.

Cara is a morph not marked as a major shape: if a morph has its own UVs and then PAs make characters that use it as well, then it is a major shape with a number of its generation. I guess that, if you load Gen2F and then apply Belle to the figure, the naming will not change.

Sertorial

cecilia.robinson said:

You are right, Gen2F is a figure and Belle (or any "person" with 6 after the name) is a major shape. The naming is redundant in the Scene Tab. Don' worry, you can always rename it if it worries you.

Cara is a morph not marked as a major shape: if a morph has its own UVs and then PAs make characters that use it as well, then it is a major shape with a number of its generation. I guess that, if you load Gen2F and then apply Belle to the figure, the naming will not change.

Thanks for this, but you have now caused another question!

You mention "major shape" - what is this? I was only aware of two levels: "figure" and "character". Is there a third, "major shape"?

Richard Haseltine

Major shape isn't a real term, it's just being used to distinguish the DAZ characters (Whatever 6) from the others. The DAZ X6s generally have their own UV set, shape, come with bundles, and are used as bases for further expansion (so-and-so for Victoria 6 etc.) which don't usually happen with other characters.

Sertorial

so would this be correct (see image)?

With only the top two levels (figure and major shape) showing up in the scene tab?

Scott Livingston

There has been some inconsistency with how these (major shape) characters are referred to, both officially by DAZ and unofficially by the customers, and you'll see a variety of terms including "figures," "characters," "models," "DAZ People," etc.

But in recent official promo materials, it seems that they're almost always referred to as "characters," often specified as "iconic characters."

Edit: some examples of this usage, taken from each character's store page:

Lee 6: Introducing Lee 6, an Asian inspired character for Genesis 2 Male(s).

Keiko 6: We are proud to introduce Keiko 6, a cute and slender anime-style character, to our lineup of iconic female characters.

Olympia 6: ...her shape can be blended with other iconic DAZ Characters like Gia 6, Victoria 6, Teen Josie 6, or any other Genesis 2 Female character. (Lilith's page has almost identical language)

Mei Lin 6: Meet Mei Lin, an alluring, Asian-inspired character for Genesis 2 Female(s). As a new addition to Genesis 2, Mei Lin has quickly proven she is worthy to join our iconic female character lineup...

Gianni: Meet Gianni 6, an iconic DAZ character for Genesis 2 Male(s).

So, it seems like the official usage should be "character," or maybe "iconic DAZ character" if needed to distinguish them from other characters.

Sertorial

Scott-Livingston said:

There has been some inconsistency with how these (major shape) characters are referred to, both officially by DAZ and unofficially by the customers, and you'll see a variety of terms including "figures," "characters," "models," "DAZ People," etc.

But in recent official promo materials, it seems that they're almost always referred to as "characters," often specified as "iconic characters."

Edit: some examples of this usage, taken from each character's store page:

Lee 6: Introducing Lee 6, an Asian inspired character for Genesis 2 Male(s).

Keiko 6: We are proud to introduce Keiko 6, a cute and slender anime-style character, to our lineup of iconic female characters.

Olympia 6: ...her shape can be blended with other iconic DAZ Characters like Gia 6, Victoria 6, Teen Josie 6, or any other Genesis 2 Female character. (Lilith's page has almost identical language)

Mei Lin 6: Meet Mei Lin, an alluring, Asian-inspired character for Genesis 2 Female(s). As a new addition to Genesis 2, Mei Lin has quickly proven she is worthy to join our iconic female character lineup...

Gianni: Meet Gianni 6, an iconic DAZ character for Genesis 2 Male(s).

So, it seems like the official usage should be "character," or maybe "iconic DAZ character" if needed to distinguish them from other characters.

ok, thanks.

But they are all Genesis 2 right?

Scott Livingston

Sertorial said:

Scott-Livingston said:

There has been some inconsistency with how these (major shape) characters are referred to, both officially by DAZ and unofficially by the customers, and you'll see a variety of terms including "figures," "characters," "models," "DAZ People," etc.

But in recent official promo materials, it seems that they're almost always referred to as "characters," often specified as "iconic characters."

Edit: some examples of this usage, taken from each character's store page:

Lee 6: Introducing Lee 6, an Asian inspired character for Genesis 2 Male(s).

Keiko 6: We are proud to introduce Keiko 6, a cute and slender anime-style character, to our lineup of iconic female characters.

Olympia 6: ...her shape can be blended with other iconic DAZ Characters like Gia 6, Victoria 6, Teen Josie 6, or any other Genesis 2 Female character. (Lilith's page has almost identical language)

Mei Lin 6: Meet Mei Lin, an alluring, Asian-inspired character for Genesis 2 Female(s). As a new addition to Genesis 2, Mei Lin has quickly proven she is worthy to join our iconic female character lineup...

Gianni: Meet Gianni 6, an iconic DAZ character for Genesis 2 Male(s).

So, it seems like the official usage should be "character," or maybe "iconic DAZ character" if needed to distinguish them from other characters.

ok, thanks.

But they are all Genesis 2 right?

Yes, anything "6" is Genesis 2, and anything "5" is Genesis (1). See this thread for more information on the various generations, figures, and iconic characters.

Sertorial

Scott-Livingston said:

Yes, anything "6" is Genesis 2, and anything "5" is Genesis (1).

thanks, I'm clearer now!

3WC

Scott-Livingston said:

But in recent official promo materials, it seems that they're almost always referred to as "characters," often specified as "iconic characters."

Edit: some examples of this usage, taken from each character's store page:

Of course, marketing language is rarely synonymous with reality. :)

Seems to me that "iconic" is simply the currently favored "buzz word."

Richard Haseltine

wwes said:

Scott-Livingston said:

But in recent official promo materials, it seems that they're almost always referred to as "characters," often specified as "iconic characters."

Edit: some examples of this usage, taken from each character's store page:

Of course, marketing language is rarely synonymous with reality. :)

Seems to me that "iconic" is simply the currently favored "buzz word."

I think you mean artisanal linguistic creation.

3WC

Richard Haseltine said:

wwes said:

Scott-Livingston said:

But in recent official promo materials, it seems that they're almost always referred to as "characters," often specified as "iconic characters."

Edit: some examples of this usage, taken from each character's store page:

Of course, marketing language is rarely synonymous with reality. :)

Seems to me that "iconic" is simply the currently favored "buzz word."

I think you mean artisanal linguistic creation.

Yes, of course that, too. I thought it was understood! ;)