Novica & Forum Members Tips & Product Reviews Pt 10
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Happy Thanksgiving! We did have a wonderful meal, and my son and daughter in law made it up from S Carolina with the granddog (yes, dog, no grandbabies yet lol) Everyone is gone now and its just me and my husband, and the critters.
I started to give Shadow (the black cat I've fed for four years) the canned Turkey and Giblets or Turkey and Cheese, but he LOVES the Ocean Whitefish and Tuna (This is Friskies Shreds, they have a lot of gravy) So he got what he wanted. Going to be in the low 40's tonight (Sigh, and no sign of Eevie.) Last night, I had a critter encounter at 9:45pm when I was out walking looking for Eevie- don't know what it was but it was slow and cumbersome, so a raccoon or possum. It was in the dense underbrush/trees in the greenbelt behind the houses across the street from me. I laughed and said to it- "Well, you aren't Eevie and I don't know WHO you are, so I'm leaving." It was creepy (Pitch black except my iPhone flashlight) but I knew it wasn't a bear (low to the ground, very cumbersome.) so wasn't worried. Not a cat though!
I hope everyone had a great day.
Thank you @ladair You too! I played cards with Mom for several hours, a very laid back afternoon. Perfect.
This was helpful on the sales thread. Because you can't click Hide What I Own from the main promo page, here's the freebie page you can click to hide things (so you can see/verify that the sale has changed on the freebies.) For me (Central Time) it changes at 9am, 1pm, 5pm then rinse, repeat with those numbers.
I've totally lost control of my content library. It is the damn Poser library on non-smart content with no meta data. I had a system, and I had a good grip on it, but I got completely behind and... I never had a TOTALLY good grip on it... It was always a house of cards...
I got a new PC, and when I copied my content library over, I kinda messed up a few things, that made organization harder... then because it was an i7 with a GTX 1070 with 8 GB I kinda went crazy with just translating my entire V4/M4 library into G1, 2 and 3 conversions using the batch converter scripts... but I didn't have a great strategy for the destination directories - and then I came into a ton of lesiure cash and so I started just buying whatever deals were super good on old content and instead of organizing it immediately after I bought it, I was busy cranking out renders one after the other. I threw together an entire 80 page comic/graphic novel... probably 4-6 frames/renders per page, and I just kinda... did it... let the story write itself... and it is good... but I've got to do major revisions because I was just playing around with Comic Life 3 and stock characters and I need actual custom characters for the main actors...
I was waiting for Black Friday and today I bought a license for Comic Life 3 and Acronis Backup 5 license... and I'm still trying to decide if I'm going to get Paint Shop Pro 2018.
And in the middle of all of this... new job and school... so... I've been super busy and haven't had as much free time for sitting for 8 hours a day for a week organizing my content library...
I know... 1st world problems. I won't go into how I could afford this hobby before, without a job... but with a job and lots of expendable cash, I was basically like a junkie with an endless bank account.
I've got a problem... guys... is what I'm saying. I think I need a DAZ intervention.
And this free stuff every 4 hours thing isn't really helping...
How well does The Marquis hold up when auto-fitting to G2M or G3M? Does it lose the bones in the jacket when you auto-fit?
I really like the shoulders of the Marquis outfit and the style. That pa does a good job of clothing, but unfortunately I do not have that set.
Yeah, I only have one thing by that PA, M601, but I like that a lot. I'll probably take a chance on it.
Well, dang! I had that in my wishlist, too. {pouty face}
I hope everyone had a very Happy Thanksgiving.
@Novica, I was really hoping to come into the thread to hear that Evie had come back. Still keeping my fingers crossed she comes home soon.
No, Eevie has been gone 9 days if it was last Wednesday, 8 days if last Thursday and a week if it was Friday. Since I didn't see her zip out the door, I don't know when it was.Thanks for the well wishes.
@NSFW Do you have Ati's app? It shows gallery images, and has the outfit on a Genesis 2 Male, done by (of all people!) @llynara so she can answer that for you! I started to try and find the outfit and put it on a G2M for you but it's already been done.
There was a comment made on another thread, and I responded, then decided to post my thoughts here. There's many points of view on this, and has been throughout the years, and this morning I just really got introspective about a comment. The "not my problem" statement about the cost of living going up for vendors, and the prices being higher or high." (Ah yes, here we go.)
This is my opinion.
It only took me six months of modeling a creature in ZBrush to appreciate the prices LOL. (obviously, not full workdays.) Seriously, I'm not kidding. I was thinking, "Who the heck DOES this for a living???" And If I were selling it, I'd just be getting started. Test it. Test it every way possible. Set up the package. Oh, yeah, the promos, the product description. What, that process is a week, two weeks? More? I know, I'm not getting paid during that time, it's part of the process, a necessity.
So I don't think it's about the cost of living going up, it's the time it takes to put out quality products and then get them ready to sell. I think the prices are reasonable on the majority of the products, not all. Some prices are the same as other similar products, with less features. Okay, then I simply don't buy them. We tell folks to note that, or compare to another product, and we put the word out here if a product is glitchy or not up to expectations (and many times, the vendors are extremely helpful to fix the glitches RIGHT AWAY.)
So while it seems the focus of this post is thinking about the vendors, I also want to emphasize products need to be GLITCH FREE and WELL TESTED so the buyers aren't reporting "This is wrong. That is wrong. This is missing. That is missing." For every major glitch that is first reported to Customer Service, I think the reporter should get a set amount, and it be deducted from the PA's paycheck. After all, you did the work the PA and testers were supposed to do. @Barbult would be RICH.
If you want quality products, that takes time, and time IS money, and imagine trying to do a product a month, or month and a half, or however long it takes to do it right. Overall, looking at what the PAs go through, I'd ask myself, "Would I work a month or more to earn $300 to $1800 (OR LESS) on average for a product?" There was a thread and several well known vendors indicated the ups and downs of product sales. Wow. Talk about stress. Let's.
The vendors have a very- VERY stressful occupation. Living paycheck to paycheck, which many people do- BUT also putting in time that they may not get paid for. If you go to work, you get paid. THEY DON'T. If it doesn't sell, they're screwed. I think they deserve more compensation than what they're getting, frankly. They do choose to do this, and true, you didn't decide that for them so in that respect, it's not "your problem." But I choose to reward that bravery and them taking risks, so I try to support them emotionally and financially. When I started focusing on showcasing products and getting discussions going about products, it was because there are very brave souls tackling challenges head on to do what they want to do, to pursue a dream of art. While not my problem, it is my desire to see both sides of the situation.
The main thing which stays in my mind- I benefit from the glitches (as many of you do) so for the most part, I'm not going to complain about prices being too high. Getting products below "supposed-to-be" prices and having Daz honor those prices is not something I take for granted. Think back- as a newbie- didn't you ever wonder if Daz was going to freeze the site/remove from DIM those glitched products? Made sense to me, as that would be fair to the vendors. Yep, let's say that again. That would be fair to the vendors. Pouncing on glitches and taking advantage, then complaining about prices? Well, I try not to do that, unless the price seems really out of line with what I GET in the product compared to similar ones. Those complaints are valid IMO and we also point that out on this thread, and no apologies for doing it.
It's also been discussed frequently on how sales impact pricing. If the prices were lower, there'd be lower, fewer, or no sales. Then I'm sure some people would again complain, preferring the "old way." Yet others might like the stability of predictable, lower prices- without sale pricing. Interesting possibilities. But let's remember one thing, and why PRICES CAN'T GO LOWER-
DAZ TAKES FIFTY PERCENT RIGHT OFF THE BAT, and the vendors are relying on a glitchy website platform. They are paying for problematic site to showcase and sell their products, and they certainly aren't getting a stable site or cart IMO. With what the artists go through worrying about something selling, then having a glitchy site /shopping cart to use- they lose money no matter if the items are priced right or high. That becomes ALL of our problem because if they get disenchanted and leave because they can't pay bills- then we're the ones losing when those products aren't available anymore.
I'm surprised the prices aren't even higher to offset this total MESS of a website.
So my thoughts this morning (now afternoon!) about the prices:
1. It's the increased cost of living.
2. It's the time it takes to get a product made and to market.
3. It's the glitches and losing money
4. Daz takes 50% right off the bat.
So far as "It's not my problem" about vendors' increased cost of living making prices going up:
1. See 2-4 above.
2. The prices haven't gone up that much in the five years I've been here. I went back and looked at what I paid in 2013, and the technology wasn't even as good. No Iray. Figures weren't as good. The list goes on and on. I do think the quality has dropped / more glitches started in early Spring 2017, and there's certain vendors who go the extra mile and I tend to support them more. (Less clothing or hair morphs? Rooms with all the walls as one piece? Doors/windows don't open/close? PASS.)
So true, it's not our problem the vendors chose this line of work and have 1-4 going on. It is understood that people posting that sentiment are correct they did not make your decisions for you, and they, too, have cost of living increases. They won't be able to buy as often if prices go up. I just think we need to be sensitive to both sides of the situation, and this post focused on the vendors. Buyers may have to shop more wisely and purchase only what they need, or less frequently buy the "fun to have" items, balancing out purchases here with their spending elsewhere as cost of living goes up for everyone. Buyers may have to change their business approach- but that leads back to the vendors. This is a BUSINESS.
Your insights are welcome, you don't have to agree with me. Just keep it on topic and do not attack each other or vendors. I flag! Vendors are more than welcome to post, as always. We do appreciate you, as I know you appreciate your buyers and (some of) the feedback we give you. I also believe Daz recommends pricing/ keeps it along the lines of similar products, that would be interesting to know.
I'll pass. These discussions never go well, and tend to become scolding sessions with both sides getting their feelers bent over things they both can't help. Buyers can't afford expensive items, and Sellers can't afford to make cheap items. Neither one is wrong, its just we have different needs
Novica, I do appreciate - and agree with - your points above about the vendors' position. At the same time, prices have been going up, if not by much all in all, but enough - in combination with keeping better track of what I'm spending and using - that I look at my runtime more and more and go "I already have something very similar, I don't need yet another version" or "I already have something similar and I never rendered that either". For example, I no longer buy mertails and fairy wings, no matter how pretty. And there seems to be a mental barrier between price points at $15 and $18, for me at least, though I did snap up Zev0's latest at $20 and a bit.
I've only bought into Gen 8 in a limited way, aside from not liking the look of mouth and eyebrows on a bunch of characters - didn't even get the new MFD, the Gen 3 one works fine on Gen 8, especially with dforce. I'm not getting loads and loads of cookie-cutter pretty brunette white girls, I still have plenty of those from previous generations.
I've bought a few expensive sets/items this year and I don't regret them because I use them, but I know I wouldn't use for example those clowns a lot, if at all, no matter how good they are, and that means I probably will only be willing to get them at 60 or 70 % off; not because they're not worth the introductory pricing or even the full price, but they're not worth that to me.
Ditto and ditto. If there's a good Gen 8 I'll get it a) if discounted b) if it gets me great prices on other things (like the Mega FastGrabs which were 75% off.) The backwards compatibility and forward compatibility with clothing makes it practical so if "a" and "b" are in play, I'll look at it.
And yep, me too on focusing on things I'll possibly use, and less for "fun" or to showcase. I have enough to last for years on that latter. Those clowns are awesome but I don't need them anytime soon either.
Prices? I was curious, so here's from September 2012. I think most of these are PC+ (then the PC)
Rolling Thunder $9.95
Summer Dress for Genesis $16.95
Breezy $9.95
Classic Rolled Hair for Genesis $14.95
Colors for Classic Rolled Hair $9.95
Pajamas for Genesis $16.95
Elven Hair for Genesis $14.95
Colors for Elven Hair $9.95
GIS Nova $16.95
GIS Terminal $16.95
GIS for Genesis Male $16.95
Astral for GIS $9.95
Onyx for Genesis Male $16.95
Full & Feathered Hair for Genesis $14.95
Genesis Evolution: Morph Bundle $32.95
Quite a few of those are Platinum, so they would have been - was it still 1,99? or 2,99/3.49 in the cart.
Here's some other prices that weren't PC, mostly Merlin. Must have had a store sale, but these are the regular prices.
Tree Bundle by Merlin $29.95
The Secret Series Bundle $39.95
Japanese Tea Garden & Tea House bundle $31.95
Complete Samurai Bundle $29.95
Oriental Garden Set 2 by Merlin $10.95
Oriental Garden Set by Merlin $10.95
Byodo in by Merlin $24.95
Here's a variety. Funny to see what was on sale at the same time. These are the original prices, not sale (not shown in our orders. HATE that.)
BEO Ripper $24.95
Coalition Katana $24.95
BEO QUAD $24.95
Coalition Rapier Armor $24.95
Millennium SubDragon $39.95
SubDragon Textures $14.95
SubDragon Textures 2 $14.95
SubDragon Trainer $9.95
Old West Saloon $16.95
The Kids 4 Morphs++ $22.95
Hollie for K4 $14.95
The Kids 4 Base $29.95
Yeah, I liked the old PC club better tbh. That's why I wanted to see what other products' prices were, such as Merlin. He does great sets!
I have to agree with you Novica. Unfortunately many people don't really realize how much time, effort and skill is required to make the things that come into the store. It looks easy so it must be easy, right? So why does it cost so much? It makes me really sad because I think a lot of creative professions suffer from that thinking. Everybody thinks: "Well anyone could do that". Until they actually try and do it.
I've dabbled in modeling myself, and I don't know how some of these vendors can make a living off this. To put all the realistic detail in the model itself and then doing beautiful textures takes so much time and effort. And I'm a perfectionist, so if it's not perfect to me, it will never see the light of day. And I only make freebies! It's mind boggling to me, that anyone can live off this business, and when I found out that Daz takes 50% off the top, it made me much more comfortable with paying a slightly higher price for an item because then hopefully the vendor is getting a bit more money.
I've made it a personal policy to take advantage of price glitches only on DAZ Originals, since I know there's not likely some poor vendor having food taken out of their mouth by Daz's crap store system. But that's just me.
I feel for you! I'm going back to the beginning of 2017 to do my Rendo stuff, I have to see if I have the files (checkmark) then did I make an installer for them with Content Package Assist (checkmark) then did I install them? (checkmark) on every single product. I won't be posting a lot as I'm busy doing that, plus other major things (going through more storage unit things for charity giveaway, Mom's 90th birthday in 2 weeks and going through albums for photos to do a collage, etc.) As I do the Rendo stuff, I may render a few.
Another thing to consider is the volume of items being sold. There are many more new releases every day now. I'd actually already been wondering if that was lowering sales for the PAs, having so much competition. It used to be a few items a day or, longer ago, not having new releases every day. Now to compete against so many, because it's dividing the customer's money. Frankly, I wouldn't want to be trying to make a living as a PA.
On the topic of organization....I'm at this phase where I'm not really buying older content because its hard to organize. I especially dislike the poser file structure of items being in multiple locations. I've lost my personalzied categories too often now, and I lack the energy to go back into the poser side of my runtime and put the entire contents of the file together so I can use it in studio. I have oodles of M4/v4 poses for example. And since they don't go into the generation 4 poses folder, I've lost track of them.
What I did do though, is make a new poser runtime directory. So newer purchases are easy for me to find. The oriignal daz and pre-package installer installs though... Are a complete nightmare.
Yeah, you and I have discussed "Where is this one?" for years. You'd think they would have had a checklist from the get-go so all files are the same. I mean, it's the BACKBONE of the buyers' experience!
yes. and many of the older stuff is actually still quite great, but finding it is hard....
If DAZ ever tried anything that came close to stealing back products after the sale contract had been closed they would lose my trust and my business forever.
FWSA Ramona (Rendo) Aldis Adigard (Gen3F) @bobbie25 @annabenjamin Gracy Hair (Gen 3/8F) NO IRAY!
Well, talk about timing. Reference back to number 3 in my post from yesterday referring to glitches. As most of you know, a large glitch put things "free" for an hour or more. I've got all the clothing I want for Genesis 3, but decided to try and create something positive from that mess. I've been done buying G3F characters for awhile (remember, I had over 400 a year ago, and another 200+ from Rendo) but I picked up a few to showcase here (and only use here in the thread.) Since I don't buy ultra sexy just to showcase them, I got some of those outfits too during the glitch and will only use them here to help promote the products. (Which frankly, so far anything I've ever bought has only been used to showcase products, and I don't get a discount or profit in any way.)
It is not my intention to be insensitive to the vendors, I am trying to be helpful by encouraging bona fide sales, those sexy products, characters, etc gotten during the glitch are for the showcase thread only. I am also putting the best renders in my gallery, to have them show up on the product pages if people have the app, thereby hopefully encouraging a sale. So, for those of you who render sexy, please give these a look! (Note, you can possibly also put a bodysuit under it for family friendly.)
Let's first start by discussing the other items in the render. Gracy Hair surprised me, there's no Iray. So I Iray UberBased it and used Slosh's UHT shaders (Cinnamon is shown.) It has nice morphs, although I wish there was one just for the sides, and not "volume" which moves the top a bit too. But there's fun morphs for the finer hair wisps of the bangs (a very nice touch), making the bangs asymmetrical, moving to the side, etc. You can lengthen the sides and neck too. If you need a short hairstyle, give this one a look! TIP: Turn your smoothing under 8 to get rid of the slight crinkles near the top of the head. You don't want 8 (used here, and some of the top strands dissolved).
Okay, talk about sexy! Here goes with the first outfit, if you like it, please wishlist it and support the vendors. What happened last night was awful for them. Also, give it a bump please in the gallery with a "Like" if you like the render, to give the product a push.
What you'll love about this outfit: first of all, the materials are really, really nice. You can also do the "Panties In" for a better fit (wish there was a Scale option to make those wider though.) There's a lot of attention to detail, with the buckles, straps, fasteners. And the sandals are really nice too.
The back of this outfit is a thong, if you're looking for one of those.
Hmmm, there's a flaw with Asian River Poses. Poses SHOULD NOT CHANGE EXPRESSIONS and my character's eyes went totally upward. She looked demonic.
@Skiriki contacted Customer Support, and here is the reply. (You may need to expand the quotes to see it.) It kinda sounds like Daz is paying the vendors.
I think we've all taken advantage of glitches from time-to-time, whether we knew it was a glitch or not. One thing I've noticed, though, is Daz keeps a close eye on the "sales" thread and has been really good at shutting down glitches fairly fast. So when I came home and checked for the freebies nearly half an hour into the four hour block, I didn't think it was a glitch. I feel sorry for the Daz employee who made the mistake. The main sales page was never updated for today's new releases, and I can't shake the feeling someone got fired over this.
Yes, I saw the customer service response over on the sale thread. Thanks for sharing it here.
What made it bad (and I didn't post it here, even when it was mentioned on the sales thread) was the products still glitched, even though the pages were down. Because I own so many things, it didn't come off as a glitch to me until I saw there was a page of it. (then they added more, but that was later.) For example, none of the Pro Bundles were showing, and apparently that was a lot of the page. I own a very large percent of hairs, and also characters (had over 430 Gen3F's BEFORE the glitch) so I had to go to the Sale thread to really catch the scope of it. I was mostly seeing ultra sexy, and thought that was the main theme of the freebies. DUH.
Then I logged out to see what was actually happening, after I read some posts in the sale thread, and was very taken aback at all the Pro Bundles, and knew something was wrong at that point. Putting all the gals up? Nope. So that's when I decided to get the sexy and just render it, because things were going awful for the vendors. I was still wading my way through my PA sale stuff, so hopefully people know what's rendered is primarily bought. Ultra sexy, you'll know it's the ones I'm talking about.
Ramona looks awesome. Love her face and the outfit has kitbashable capabilities.