Novica & Serene Night’s Renders, Tips, Tutorials & Product Reviews PART 2

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Comments

  • Serene NightSerene Night Posts: 17,647
    edited November 2013

    Here's a suggestion for a possible bodysuit product.

    http://www.daz3d.com/tech-soldier-special-forces

    Has a nice one piece which can be colored slightly to compliment your skimpy sci-fi bikinis.

    Here is Nova with gia dialed in in the bot shop sporting a pea green bodysuit under that sci-fi bunny outfit. I left the legs bare so you can see you can easily add boots because the bodysuit short in the calf.

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    Post edited by Serene Night on
  • NovicaNovica Posts: 23,887
    edited December 1969

    OOOOOH, I like that.
    You really ARE digging Nova, aren't you! :)

  • Serene NightSerene Night Posts: 17,647
    edited December 1969

    Novica said:
    OOOOOH, I like that.
    You really ARE digging Nova, aren't you! :)

    Her skin is really awesome! And I like those new portrait lights.

  • NovicaNovica Posts: 23,887
    edited December 1969

    Yeah, that's what I was saying about her looking good in any lighting.
    You should make her your new avatar.

  • NovicaNovica Posts: 23,887
    edited November 2013

    Shae For Josie 6
    http://www.daz3d.com/shae-for-josie-6

    I usually don't jump up and down, wave my arms wildly, and say, "LISTEN UP!" but for you newbies (and anyone else who cares) "LISTEN UP!"

    Artemis3d http://www.daz3d.com/artemis3d is MY FAVORITE CHARACTER ARTIST.
    There, I said it.

    Trust us about Nova. Nova is just the latest of the absolutely wonderful characters this talented vendor has created.
    Now, in case you didn't know, Cassini, my Genesis character, is from Artemis3d's Caitlyn. So if you want another gal that is ultra easy to light (you'd really, really, really have to screw up to make her look bad) then get http://www.daz3d.com/caitlyn-for-victoria-42-genesis-1

    You've seen my Sofia- whaddaya know, it's also Artemis3d. http://www.daz3d.com/sofia-for-v42-and-genesis
    She is over in my Thread 1 (linked on the first post) but I've reposted her below.

    Because Artemis3d has products in the promo (Shae) that store will be 50% off if you are tier 2. Don't know if this will make a difference to you or not, but thought I would emphasize these characters because you simply can NOT GO WRONG. I also have Megan, Neve, and Morgan (which I was delighted to draw for the RRRR contest!) and will scoop up Hudson and Millie eventually.

    Anyway, rendering Shae now. REMINDER: THE EYELASHES CAN BE TOTALLY TURNED DOWN TO LOOK NORMAL. So this is a great chance for you to pickup an Artemis3D character right now- and only today- for the bigger discount. New items don't qualify on the 5th, remember- so 44% is the best you're going to do for awhile. The render is coming in slowly (it's big and .30 shading rate, etc) so will be hours- just trust me on this.

    Below is Cassini (Caitlyn) and Sofia samples from the past. Shae looks just as good :)
    Off my soapbox.

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    Post edited by Novica on
  • NovicaNovica Posts: 23,887
    edited November 2013

    I normally don't give you a sneak peek because these screenshots are not good representations of the final render, but here's Shae so you can see how good she looks with normal eyelashes. All you do is adjust them in Parameters>Actor>Head>Eyes.

    The headpiece and arm band are Mada's Lilly Nymph. http://www.daz3d.com/lily-nymph-for-genesis
    It fit like a charm on this Genesis 2 figure. Didn't do the rest of the outfit though.

    EDIT: And Pyrit Hair also went on like a breeze. No adjustments even though this is Genesis 2. I just shortened the bangs.

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    Post edited by Novica on
  • Serene NightSerene Night Posts: 17,647
    edited November 2013

    Today's Review is Anti Gravity
    http://www.daz3d.com/anti-gravity

    I bought Anti Gravity because I fell in love with a cool render someone did of the lime green version of this outfit. From the front it is actually a fairly modest (by 3d standard) shorts and shirt outfit. It contains gloves, outfit, boots, and helmet in several different colors. From the back it rides a little high for my personal tastes. I don't use the helmet, but that is because quite often, I find myself focusing on the character's face more than the body and I don't like to render the face covered, and well, the helmet isn't my favorite- (you can check it out in the product view).

    I found it renders nicely, and probably would look fine paired up with a bodysuit underneath as Novica quite often suggests. -=-)

    This outfit is suitable also as a bathing suit, track outfit as well, if you don't use the boots. =-)

    Render 1 Blue Version
    Render 2 Orange Version

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    Post edited by Serene Night on
  • Serene NightSerene Night Posts: 17,647
    edited December 1969

    Novica said:
    Shae For Josie 6
    http://www.daz3d.com/shae-for-josie-6

    - just trust me on this.

    Below is Cassini (Caitlyn) and Sofia samples from the past. Shae looks just as good :)
    Off my soapbox.

    Cassini looks great. Her skin and face and pose look quite natural. =-)

    Yeah, I may redo my avatar at some point. I'm just so excited about M6, I have been spending more time in the forums and less time rendering! =-)

  • NovicaNovica Posts: 23,887
    edited November 2013

    I've only use M4 once, never used M5, and will buy M6 just because that's what I do. Lol.
    Here's Shae, had to touch up the hair because the wreath thingie didn't look right but I don't know how it was supposed to look, not to mention I walk in the door and find out I have 15 minutes to be somewhere, so did the hair in five minutes. Rendering another one with Nordic Hair. I wanted to post this so you can see what I mean about the skin materials and how she looks with shortened eyelashes- less like a doll and more like a real kid. It's good we have both options!

    Back in a couple hours. Will post the blond version then- she's adorable! I like the eyebrows on this character.
    EDIT: This is a PNG with only 24 bit color- the CYMK 32 bit will have even richer colors.

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    Post edited by Novica on
  • starionwolfstarionwolf Posts: 3,670
    edited December 1969

    cute renders of Shay. I'll buy her soon when I have more spare change. Thanks for posting the review. I should render some scenes at different shading rates to see the difference. I can't use any fancy lighting because my computer is slow. I think HDR renders faster than uber area lights and uber environment lights.

  • NovicaNovica Posts: 23,887
    edited December 1969

    Thanks- but DUH, smoothing was turned off and that is why the Pyrit hair required me to fix those squared strands of hair. (The entire left side on the cheek by the ear, as you look at it, was hand drawn. Sheesh. Coming up is Shae with Nordic Hair. I LOVE THAT HAIR! It's very fast to render btw, even with smoothing on.

    BTW, the UE2 (UberEnvironment 2) settings are 23% intensity, with intensity scale at 67%. I play with the intensity scale, usually leave saturation, etc alone until I see what does what with the other two things. I don't know if the intensity of the UE2 would lengthen your render times or not. Anyone know how that works with lights and render times? (I know about the NUMBER of lights, just not the intensity or the settings- how they affect render times.)

    How many lights do you usually have in your scene Starionwolf?

    Anyway, more Shae coming up. This time Nordic Hair as a blonde. She's adorable! It will be awhile :)

  • NovicaNovica Posts: 23,887
    edited December 1969

    Is 40% off, if you are tier 2, take another 44%. Look at the examples :)
    http://www.daz3d.com/shades-of-life-nature

    This has been on my wishlist awhile, which I am going through and marking what are Daz Originals (as I get the $50) and I'm marking the wishlist stuff that isn't on sale now anyways. Just put in the cart and if you're tier 2 you get another $6.59 off and it will be $8.38 (originally $24.95)

    Looks like fun so thought I'd point it out. I am going to get it and try it (not at this minute, I'm backed up with renders I need to do.)

  • NovicaNovica Posts: 23,887
    edited December 1969

    http://www.daz3d.com/mosquito-2
    Not sure why this little dude is 51% off, but he is. Price might change in about 45 minutes- the site changes prices at 1:13-1:15am my time. (Florida) Anymore that I find I'll post here. That's an odd percentage off.

  • NovicaNovica Posts: 23,887
    edited December 1969

    Okay, here's showing you Shae with the hair smoothing at 3, then at 12.
    In case you don't know how to add a smoother (If you have your item selected and there's nothing in the Parameters section) you go up to the little menu box right above the word Scene, then go to Edit>Geometry>Apply Smoothing Modifier. Then you'll see Mesh Smoothing in Parameters tab. Start with collisions low and work your way up.

    TIP: Turn the interactive off for smoothing before you make your changes. In other words, if it's on 3 and you do a test render and don't like it, turn Smoothing OFF then change it to 5. Turn it back on. Otherwise, you have to wait for it to "register." It's faster if you turn it off while making the changes. (or mine is at least.)

    Look at the bends in the hair. That is a result of smoothing being too low.
    BTW, I tried the rounded corners and edges, and it made her eyelashes disappear in sections when the collision wasn't up very high. So it's back to sharp corners and edges, with smoothing turned higher.

    Really liking Shae, what a cutie. BTW, I turned the cloth off on that headband so only the vines form it.

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  • anikadanikad Posts: 1,919
    edited December 1969

    Novica said:
    http://www.daz3d.com/mosquito-2
    Not sure why this little dude is 51% off, but he is. Price might change in about 45 minutes- the site changes prices at 1:13-1:15am my time. (Florida) Anymore that I find I'll post here. That's an odd percentage off.

    This was one of the choices for the freebie for tier 1, one of the weeks. The Portello which was one of the tier 2 freebies is also 51% off.

  • NovicaNovica Posts: 23,887
    edited December 1969

    Ah, thanks for explaining. I didn't buy anything Week 1, it's the only week I wasn't tier 2. I'm already set for Week 5- I love the moon freebie! And I'm sure SereneNight will jump on Petipet's vehicle and render it when she gets up (it's 3:20am in the morning here, she is two hours behind me) Are you where you need to remember to set your clock back an hour?

    I just stayed up to start downloading more stuff, new month, another 150GB to use. :)

  • Serene NightSerene Night Posts: 17,647
    edited November 2013

    Novica said:
    Ah, thanks for explaining. I didn't buy anything Week 1, it's the only week I wasn't tier 2. I'm already set for Week 5- I love the moon freebie! And I'm sure SereneNight will jump on Petipet's vehicle and render it when she gets up (it's 3:20am in the morning here, she is two hours behind me) Are you where you need to remember to set your clock back an hour?

    I just stayed up to start downloading more stuff, new month, another 150GB to use. :)

    yeah, I bought the moonbase and the vehicle and the bike. You know me well.. =-) I may make tier 2 by accident! Too bad it will not avail me, since I will only then have2 tiers regardless. Weird sale.

    I still am trying to use a 6 dollar coupon on old stuff. I have plenty of new stuff I want, but not needing anything else at the moment. May go in and buy a fish or something. EDIT: I did buy a fish.- the Marlin. Now I have 3 more lol.

    EDIT: Would love some new aquatic animals and updates on the oldies. That seal for example. I'd love to use a seal in a render but that is very expensive and somewhat dated looking.

    Would love DAZ to add more animals to its animal catalog. We are seriously lacking in updated models.

    Post edited by Serene Night on
  • anikadanikad Posts: 1,919
    edited December 1969

    I used the $6 coupon on the vehicles that I couldn't use the PA coupon on. Got 14 items for $7.86. The moon freebie is amazing and a huge download - 2 files 300mb in total.

  • Serene NightSerene Night Posts: 17,647
    edited December 1969

    anikad said:
    I used the $6 coupon on the vehicles that I couldn't use the PA coupon on. Got 14 items for $7.86. The moon freebie is amazing and a huge download - 2 files 300mb in total.

    Wow! 14 for 7. They only show up as 1 dollar for me.... Great deal!

  • starionwolfstarionwolf Posts: 3,670
    edited December 1969

    i usually use four lights in my scenes: three distant lights and one spot light. Two distant lights and the spotlights are usually behind the camera. The last distant light is behind the characters, in front of the camera to provide backlight. I think backlight is the proper term.

    One nice thing about Genesis 1 and two is that I can easily dial my own characters. I have a curvy or muscular teenager with different shaped heads. The morph options are somewhat limited for Luke and Laura 3. Daz didn't create young teens for their generation 4 line.

  • anikadanikad Posts: 1,919
    edited December 1969

    anikad said:
    I used the $6 coupon on the vehicles that I couldn't use the PA coupon on. Got 14 items for $7.86. The moon freebie is amazing and a huge download - 2 files 300mb in total.

    Wow! 14 for 7. They only show up as 1 dollar for me.... Great deal!

    I spent far too much and made tier 2 last week so I was able to use the $6 coupon against the $13.86 total, which brought the price down to $7.86.

  • NovicaNovica Posts: 23,887
    edited November 2013

    What's On Your Desktop?
    I can't believe I didn't think of this before. My new desktop!
    Using one of my render images never occurred to me. DUH. What about yours?
    (Be sure and use a very wide one!)

    I'm going to start a thread in the Commons.
    EDIT: Post your desktop here- and see the other ones folks have posted. Some cool stuff!
    http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/31775/

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    Post edited by Novica on
  • Serene NightSerene Night Posts: 17,647
    edited December 1969

    I want to get to Petipet's awesome new Vehicles, but that will be tomorrow's fun, sorry Petipet, I am your number 1 fan, hopefully tonight I'll get to play with your cool new vehicles. =-)

    Today's review is:

    Unshaven body hair by DAZ3d
    http://www.daz3d.com/unshaven-body-hair-for-genesis

    I admit it. I love my guy figures, and when I saw this product for sale, I snapped it up. Oddly, even though I bought it I haven't had a chance to actually use it much. Well no more!

    This is quite a nice product if you want to render your men with a nice bearlike hairy texture and they have bare arms and legs. (you'll get poke through otherwise) It also recolorable so if you don't like the default dark, you can recolor it to a more pleasing shade. The hair applies nicely to the legs and torso and the hair works great in conjunction with: Unshaven Beard: http://www.daz3d.com/unshaven-beard-for-genesis

    Hair applies easily. You just select the genesis figure you want to use it on, find the product and click to apply. When you select the hair prop and go to the shaping tab, it will take you to a 'groom room' where you can hairify your guy (or gal I suppose), with some extra hair.

    Hair can be applied to the torso, chest, and arms and even the groin with this product. The only caveat is you have to be careful with clothing pokethrough.

    I applied the hair nicely to this Satyr. I used the hair that both Novica and I love (which looks surprisingly good on men too) Trixy hair for genesis to make a nice Grecian look for this burly fellow. I also applied a beard using Unshaven beard and some extra leg hair.

    If you like some extra hair on your Genesis figure, you might want to check out this fun hair product.

    As part of the sale it is 40% off for Platinum club members right now.

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  • NovicaNovica Posts: 23,887
    edited November 2013

    I love that you put Trixy Hair on a guy- very creative!!!!

    Okay, with the $20 and $50 (tier 1, tier 2) reward release coming up, I've got to get going on my Wishlist and find Daz Originals that are worth having, that I don't already have. Good luck with that, I'm left with products I'll never use, or ones that are higher priced that I won't use often enough to justify the expense, etc. I'm going to post ones from my Wishlist here. If you have some Daz Originals that you think folks would want to know about, do ONE post and then EDIT and continue to add your findings. (We don't want a bunch of posts with one or two things listed. Just one post per person with their recommendations please) And thanks for your input!

    EDIT: Supply the link please so folks can breeze through and shop faster.

    Post edited by Novica on
  • NovicaNovica Posts: 23,887
    edited November 2013

    Novica's DAZ Originals- Recommendations / Wishlist

    Wishlist/Don't Have will be WDH, meaning I can't tell you about it. They are not priority items, but enough to catch my interest. Many are for partnering with the bodysuit as they are a bit skimpy otherwise (for me.)

    Mine will be organized by Figure or by Scene/Prop.

    Genesis 2
    Hot Cabana Wear http://www.daz3d.com/daz-originals/hot-cabana-wear (Showcased here a lot.)
    Darkwoods Heroine http://www.daz3d.com/daz-originals/darkwoods-heroine (Showcased here a lot.)
    Darkwoods Heroine Textures http://www.daz3d.com/daz-originals/darkwoods-heroine-textures

    GENESIS:
    Avalon Adventure Outfit http://www.daz3d.com/daz-originals/avalon-adventure-outfit Use This A Lot.
    Avalon Adventure Outfit Textures http://www.daz3d.com/daz-originals/avalon-adventure-outfit-textures
    Goth Chick http://www.daz3d.com/goth-chick WDH
    More Goth For Goth Chick http://www.daz3d.com/more-goth-for-goth-chick WDH
    Sky Chaser http://www.daz3d.com/sky-chaser (can use without the neck piece) WDH
    Magna Hart For Genesis Textures http://www.daz3d.com/magna-hart-for-genesis-textures Bought recently

    Consider these to partner with a bodysuit:
    Elf Witch http://www.daz3d.com/daz-originals/elf-witch (use with bodysuit) Bought recently.
    Elf Witch Textureshttp://www.daz3d.com/daz-originals/elf-witch-textures Bought recently
    Enamore Mage For Genesis http://www.daz3d.com/enamore-mage-for-genesis (Use with bodysuit) Bought recently.
    Blood Bound http://www.daz3d.com/blood-bound WDH (Use With Bodysuit and different bottoms- would look neat!)
    Katya http://www.daz3d.com/katya WDH (Use with Bodysuit)

    Shaders
    Daz Studio Environment Shaders 2 http://www.daz3d.com/daz-studio-environment-shaders-2 Bought recently.

    Victoria 4
    Jersey Jacket For Victoria 4 http://www.daz3d.com/daz-originals/jersey-jacket-for-victoria-4 (Very family friendly)
    Pixiedust Outfit http://www.daz3d.com/daz-originals/pixiedust-outfit (Go look at the purple/black materials one. Love it! Great wings)
    Frangipani Bundle http://www.daz3d.com/daz-originals/frangipani-bundle (decent necklines)

    Aiko 4 and Aiko 5
    Wednesday For Aiko 4 and Aiko 5 http://www.daz3d.com/daz-originals/wednesday-for-aiko-4-and-aiko-5 (Showcased here)

    Characters, Animals
    Mosquito http://www.daz3d.com/mosquito-2 Bought recently

    MUST HAVES!
    Remember when I had you guess where Ariadne was? That set was Tangien. Lots of neat nooks and crannies!
    http://www.daz3d.com/daz-originals/tangien-corner
    http://www.daz3d.com/daz-originals/tangien-portico
    http://www.daz3d.com/daz-originals/tangien-courtyard

    EDIT: Took me a bit, but here is Ariadne in the window sill from Tangien Portico/Corner/Courtyard. Can't remember which one. I created a fake jacuzzi, remember? This is what I mean about a lot of nooks and crannies you can use.

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    Post edited by Novica on
  • Serene NightSerene Night Posts: 17,647
    edited November 2013

    I want the mosquito too! But it hasn't been eligible yet for any of my coupons being a new release.

    My wishlist of DAZ originals is very tiny. There are quite a few new release hairs most people already have, so I haven't listed 'em, and a few PC club items.

    Here are some highlights:


    Native Cheyenne village http://www.daz3d.com/native-cheyenne-village
    I chose this, because of the ground prop which is supposed to be very good. I actually don't have use for any of the other content, so I haven't bought it yet

    Anime Me: cheap m4 poses http://www.daz3d.com/animeme

    Daz Squirrel: http://www.daz3d.com/daz-squirrel
    Kinda cute, and I don't have it.

    Sean for David 5 http://www.daz3d.com/sean-for-david-5
    He's cute, but I don't have an immediate need.

    Octopus (waiting for a high percentage off since it looks dated to me) http://www.daz3d.com/octopus

    My top pick is this, because of all the men's content I mostly don't own, although I do not find the Hiro character to my taste, I'll gladly use his clothes, and the 'fly away look' might render well in underwater scenes. Plus it has a number of hairs and clothing I don't own: Hiro 5 clothing and hair only bundle: http://www.daz3d.com/hiro-5-clothing-and-hair-only-bundle

    Post edited by Serene Night on
  • NovicaNovica Posts: 23,887
    edited December 1969

    Let's see what I have that you've listed, and how they'd look under my lights that I use for portraits. This should be fun (with the octopus! I'll start there if I can get it downloaded and installed. My studio is refusing to do what it should when I extract, I have to do it by hand to the People, Data, etc folders. Back in awhile with an octopus!

  • Serene NightSerene Night Posts: 17,647
    edited December 1969

    cool! Renders on demand. I am curious about the octo. He's a touch pricey right now.

    Oh how I wish daz would add some more fish and undersea critters to their lineup. =-)

  • JaderailJaderail Posts: 0
    edited December 1969

    LOL! I just used parts of Darkwoods Heroine in a render. I too think it is very good.

    Edited your Textures link it now works Novica.

  • NovicaNovica Posts: 23,887
    edited December 1969

    Jaderail said:
    LOL! I just used parts of Darkwoods Heroine in a render. I too think it is very good.

    Edited your Textures link it now works Novica.

    Thanks very much. Any other DAZ Originals you favor?
    BTW, here I go again. When I redid my studio, I decided to use parts of it, can't remember what parts but it made a mess of things. I am going to start over this time from scratch. May use DIM, what the heck. So I'll get to the octopus as soon as I can. This is mind boggling that I can't get a studio to work right. I literally on the octopus did the extract and place in My Library, he was no where to be found. So I opened each folder and did it manually too. Still no octopus. ARRRGH. I've done hundreds of products, no problem, then version 4.6 has been nothing but a problem. So here we go again.

    But then I have to figure out how DIM is installed so I'll be off looking at the old forum info on that. Will do that first since I am starting from scratch.

This discussion has been closed.