Novica & Forum Members Tips & Product Reviews Pt 12

12223252728100

Comments

  • NovicaNovica Posts: 23,887

    Hey folks- if you haven't voted in the Because I Said So! GypsyAngel contest, you have three hours until voting closes.  Vote HERE   The entries are here.

  • FishtalesFishtales Posts: 6,119

    Added a figure to get some balance. This is Gwenbleiz.

    2019-08-11 12:30:49.175 Total Rendering Time: 16 hours 2 minutes 17.30 seconds

    80% done

    Click on image for full size.

    Gwenbleiz

    2019-08-11 22:36:40.634 Total Rendering Time: 7 hours 51 minutes 23.59 seconds

    Click on image for full size.

     

     

  • MollytabbyMollytabby Posts: 1,163
    edited August 2019

    Thank you to everyone who voted in Novica's GypsyAngel's Because I Said So contest. I now have Ragnar and Rex in my runtime because of your kindnesssmiley

    I love GypsyAngel's characters, not only for their detail and workmanship but also because they render beautifully in both Iray and 3Delight. I'm really looking forward to rendering my new men laugh

    With Novica's encouragement I'm posting my competition image here with the hope of encouraging more people to take a look at GypsyAngel's characters. I know lots of people visit this thread, either directly or through links when looking at products.  Eilish is my only GypsyAngel female ( but I do plan on remedying that as soon as I'm able) and as with many of GypsyAngel's products the number of options included in the package make the figure very versitile. 

    Her Most Treasured Possession

    Story:

    They all stared intently at the dimension vortex. Would she come through? The great creator … the one who could save their world. The fairies had risked all in travelling through the vortex to acquire something the creator would cross worlds to retrieve. They had barely made it back in their allotted time. Eilish hadn’t wanted to steal from her, but GypsyAngel was their last hope.

    Had they done the right thing? The Mokie seemed an odd choice. It was lifeless and Eilish could sense no magic in it. The fairies had said GypsyAngel kept it by her side at night, sometimes cradled in her arms. They insisted it was her most treasured possession.

    GypsyAngel-Entry-1WEB.jpg
    1560 x 1200 - 1M
    Post edited by Mollytabby on
  • NovicaNovica Posts: 23,887

    And that was SUCH a beautiful render Molllytabby!  

    If you had the $15 in store credit coming your way, mine was already deposited (don't know when) but since I got the additional discount from having the other Look At Me Pose Control, that price went something like 50 or 51% off, then with the $15 store credit, I got it for $1.15 or so. 

    So check and see if your store credit from the other promo is there yet (up to $15.) 

  • cismiccismic Posts: 629

    @Mollytabby very nice image! 

  • NovicaNovica Posts: 23,887

    While I love the idea of Turbo Content, it would be a nightmare for people who own hundreds and hundreds of just one generation. It is not sorted by generation at all, it's alphabetical. I don't want to see Genesis or Genesis 2 figures mixed in with my Genesis 8 (or even Genesis 3)   But if you don't mind the mix-in, it looks like a fun product. What do you think of it?

  • Robert FreiseRobert Freise Posts: 4,444

    For me I think it would stay the same Major Nightmare as I have over 20,000 items from Daz not to mention what I have from elsewhere 

  • chris-2599934chris-2599934 Posts: 1,811
    Novica said:

    While I love the idea of Turbo Content, it would be a nightmare for people who own hundreds and hundreds of just one generation. It is not sorted by generation at all, it's alphabetical. I don't want to see Genesis or Genesis 2 figures mixed in with my Genesis 8 (or even Genesis 3)   But if you don't mind the mix-in, it looks like a fun product. What do you think of it?

    My understanding is that you have the option to filter by figure (it's a drop down in the top left of the dialog that's set to "All Content" in most of the demo images). So if you want to just see G8F figures, you can do that - but then you might as well go to the relevant bit of the content directory for that.

    Where it comes in useful (I think) is where you're looking for clothing, hair or props with a particular look, and you're willing to convert/autofit them to the figure you're using once you've found them. Having them not sorted by generation is an advantage in that respect.

    It looks quite good, but not a must-have. I've wishlisted it (alongside the same vendor's other two scripts that I came to the same conclusion about).

  • NovicaNovica Posts: 23,887

    Where it comes in useful (I think) is where you're looking for clothing, hair or props with a particular look, and you're willing to convert/autofit them to the figure you're using once you've found them. Having them not sorted by generation is an advantage in that respect.

    Oooh, excellent point! You would be able to see a "themed"  look much faster.  

  • Robert FreiseRobert Freise Posts: 4,444
    Novica said:

    While I love the idea of Turbo Content, it would be a nightmare for people who own hundreds and hundreds of just one generation. It is not sorted by generation at all, it's alphabetical. I don't want to see Genesis or Genesis 2 figures mixed in with my Genesis 8 (or even Genesis 3)   But if you don't mind the mix-in, it looks like a fun product. What do you think of it?

    My understanding is that you have the option to filter by figure (it's a drop down in the top left of the dialog that's set to "All Content" in most of the demo images). So if you want to just see G8F figures, you can do that - but then you might as well go to the relevant bit of the content directory for that.

    Where it comes in useful (I think) is where you're looking for clothing, hair or props with a particular look, and you're willing to convert/autofit them to the figure you're using once you've found them. Having them not sorted by generation is an advantage in that respect.

    It looks quite good, but not a must-have. I've wishlisted it (alongside the same vendor's other two scripts that I came to the same conclusion about).

    That could possibly help out

    I'd wishlisted it already for future reference 

  • nonesuch00nonesuch00 Posts: 18,131

    I love the lion on the motorbike though!

  • NovicaNovica Posts: 23,887

    At a glance, another observation- in one thumbnail, it shows poses organized by what they are doing. ????  Did the vendor go through all the pose sets (impossible) and identify what pose did what? How is it possible otherwise to categorize those? (Like crouching, bending, etc) 

  • Robert FreiseRobert Freise Posts: 4,444

    Maybe the action is in the name?

  • L'AdairL'Adair Posts: 9,479
    Novica said:

    At a glance, another observation- in one thumbnail, it shows poses organized by what they are doing. ????  Did the vendor go through all the pose sets (impossible) and identify what pose did what? How is it possible otherwise to categorize those? (Like crouching, bending, etc) 

    It's in the metadata.

    If you use Smart Content, you can look for poses based on the action. You can also look for poses based on region.

  • NovicaNovica Posts: 23,887
    edited August 2019

    "You will get a new "Content" menu in your Daz Studio menu bar"

    So this Content Menu opens at the top of the studio, above the viewport (?) , but uses Smart Content data. Interesting.

    I don't use Smart Content btw so I'm never any help on that side.

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

    Okay I want to show you a fun phenomenon. THIS IS ALL HUMIDITY. No rain. You have to view it now though. Florida radar   Those three huge blobs are the moisture in the air!

     

  • NovicaNovica Posts: 23,887
    edited August 2019

    So did you folks get the 20% off banner for the early adoption of Gabriela? I used it with the Flash Sale to pick up quite a few wishlist items, and Fast Grab. The Flash Sale items will go 68%. 

     

     

    Post edited by Novica on
  • NovicaNovica Posts: 23,887
    edited August 2019

    Aldo HD And Mustache (G8M)     Horrifying Skins G3/G8M          Massive Metal Skin Textures (G8M)         Bounty Huntsman Outfit (G8M) 

    I flattened and raised Aldo's sagging chest and he turned out really well with both the skins and metal textures.  It's interesting though- it appears a couple of the Horrifying Skins didn't change the eyes and teeth, they kept the gold from the Metal Skin Textures.  You probably won't be doing the MSTextures first so it's likely not going to be a problem.

    ERROR:  In Content Library, @annabenjamin   @mada     labeled this Bounty Hunter Sci-Fi.    The name is Bounty Huntsman Outfit   You can right click and add on to the name if you want to keep it how the vendor has it. I added IS B.HUNTSMAN OUTFIT   to it. Question- if you completely rename it, will that screw up the file path?  I usually don't touch renaming files as I don't know what I'm doing LOL. 

    BTW  @WorldsEdge featured this outfit back in September 2018  here 

    You can click to enlarge, these are shown at 600px tall and they are 1200 px.

    Oh YUCK!!!!!

     

    Aldo Gold 2.png
    850 x 1200 - 1M
    Aldo Gun.png
    850 x 1200 - 1M
    Aldo Steel.png
    850 x 1200 - 1M
    Aldo Horrifying SkinGhoul.png
    850 x 1200 - 1M
    Aldo Horrifying SkinInfested.png
    850 x 1200 - 1M
    Aldo Horrifying SkinNightmare.png
    850 x 1200 - 1M
    Aldo Gold.png
    850 x 1200 - 865K
    Post edited by Novica on
  • nonesuch00nonesuch00 Posts: 18,131

    Since the Gabriela 8 Pro Bundle was the 1st pro bundle offer I didn't get any sort of banner offer on, probably since they started doing them, I had to check, well what is the last pro bundle I bought in it's entirety?  As it turns out, it was the Toon Dwayne 8 Pro Bundle on 21 Aug 2018 and it actually features the Bounty Hunter outfit you mention here. Personally I like the Sci-Fi Ninja outfit better, not because I like ninjas or even know anything about ninjas; stylistically I like the sci-fi outfit design - it looks good to party for Halloween or a costume party or even to go clubbing in as in fun dancing not a pick-up joint (well only some clubs - not any clubs in my neck of the woods for certain) . I can't say not offering me the purple banner has inspired my to buy a pro bundle or two in order to start receiving the purple banners again.

    I'm sort of relieved that DAZ 3D is adding improved animation and strand based hair capabilities to DAZ Studio and that Blender 2.8 finally is officially released.

    I haven't got anything really up for review via only my renders. My renders, they've just been average humdrum type of renders. I did finally try out using the vignette feature on a render and made up a silly story for it. Since my renders are so humdrum I thought now was as good as time as any to try & learn animation in earnest. If I'm successful to my satisfaction after trying out DS new animation capabilities I'll post a review here but so far I'm not satisfied with the capabilities so I post them to a private thread for progress and comparison's sake. Without being really good at creating animations myself personally, essentially all the money I spent in the DAZ Store is wasted because I won't be able to make unique video games to me satisfaction. I could churn out the pre-canned game stuff in volume like so many others are doing but it's pointless if they are simply technically and artistically competent but nothing you would make-up yourself for a bit of laughs. That's the point in my wanting to do games at least.

  • NovicaNovica Posts: 23,887

    OT:  Sad note-  Kim and Sue had bought a Kakariki named Izzy, who was three weeks older than Motuihe and Tokelau. She died this morning. They don't know why (all our birds are still at the birdstore, being weaned.)  Izzy wasn't weaning fast, and was a smaller bird, but there were zero indications that she was ill in any way. They are doing an autopsy to determine the cause, but Kim and Sue are heartbroken. We got to know each other well because like me, they go to the store at least three or four times weekly to see their bird (unlike the rest of the baby Kak owners, who I NEVER see.)  So we kept bumping in to each other, and we started sitting on the floor together to play with the birds. There is no respiratory issues (she had no crusting of the nostrils, no heavy breathing, etc)  so it may have just been a genetic feature. We'll know when the autopsy comes back.

    I'm off to see my birds. They are quite big and robust, very active, so no concerns on that score. Just sad today.

  • nonesuch00nonesuch00 Posts: 18,131
    Novica said:

    OT:  Sad note-  Kim and Sue had bought a Kakariki named Izzy, who was three weeks older than Motuihe and Tokelau. She died this morning. They don't know why (all our birds are still at the birdstore, being weaned.)  Izzy wasn't weaning fast, and was a smaller bird, but there were zero indications that she was ill in any way. They are doing an autopsy to determine the cause, but Kim and Sue are heartbroken. We got to know each other well because like me, they go to the store at least three or four times weekly to see their bird (unlike the rest of the baby Kak owners, who I NEVER see.)  So we kept bumping in to each other, and we started sitting on the floor together to play with the birds. There is no respiratory issues (she had no crusting of the nostrils, no heavy breathing, etc)  so it may have just been a genetic feature. We'll know when the autopsy comes back.

    I'm off to see my birds. They are quite big and robust, very active, so no concerns on that score. Just sad today.

    Oh, that's sad. There are actually both an African Grey and Kiwi up for adoption at one of the many bird adoption centers nearest to me (all within 200 miles but none really that close to me). I actually tried to adopt (we've all heard the guilt trip spiel they give us) before I bought but they were trying to be silly and unreasonable with me so I stopped dealing with the adoption centers. Instead I bought my two IRNs from a pet store although I'm quite sure those two birds had passed through multiple owners hands before I bought them. They lied about one of bird's sex and likely both their ages, but it could well be that they were lied to in who they obtained them from but it was they who said they were the professionals, not me, so they should of known and not left it to an amateur like me to correctly identify their sex. They didn't even know that one of them was perch tame which came as bit of a shock when I found that out! I bought them anyway though and cheaper than the adoption places because a parrot that's female, adult, and untame is a very hard sale to make indeed. Most people in the know won't pay anything for untame adult females which leads you to conclude that only bird breeders are actually using these adoption centers and Craig's List and not people actually looking for a pet bird in most cases. It seems though if they fledge, parrots are quite hardy afterwards. My two IRNs and 4 budgies are hardy and healthy and not shy to tell you what they want if you understand them. Sorry for your friend. I hope that little bird didn't suffer!

  • NovicaNovica Posts: 23,887
    edited August 2019

    Well, a sad day turned into a YES! day. 

    Both my birds are BOYS. The DNA came in today. And...drum roll...yes, they are from the same clutch so they are BROTHERS!  The birdstore owner had to check as multiple clutches hatched and some at the same time. Mine came from a Mississippi breeder, so I have Mississipians!  So I am batting 100% as if I want another Kak, mine can be used as the breeder male as they aren't related to Rhondas (I get first pick if I do that, will have to get more info), they are related, and they are male.  

    Post edited by Novica on
  • nonesuch00nonesuch00 Posts: 18,131

    That's good. The males tend to practice wooing females on each other and so don't fight as easily as two females would tend to fight. Especially when the females are in a nesting mood.

  • NovicaNovica Posts: 23,887

    OT:  Do you use Windows 10?    Security alert.  

  • nonesuch00nonesuch00 Posts: 18,131
    Novica said:

    OT:  Do you use Windows 10?    Security alert.  

    I have it & the patch has been downloaded & installed but I haven't rebooted yet. 

  • FishtalesFishtales Posts: 6,119
    edited August 2019

    Being a bit bored I decided to try the Strand-Based Hair, so, starting small, Noggin's Rat was volunteered.

    On opening the interface it was zoomed right into the rats body and the screen was a solid colour, clicking on the Frame Button, top left of the pane just like in Studio, it zoomed out to show Ratty.

    The first window was Setup and on the right there is a list of surfaces, I chose Body. I have the Lorez Rat loaded just now and it has Fur instead.

    Next window is the Paint window. I just left everything as is except I turned on Symmetry, just makes filling the fur in quicker.

    Next up is Distribute. In here I just increased the Density and lowered the Length.

    Next up is Style. This is the hard part on the Laptop. I used the Scissors to cut down the hair around the nose, ears and legs. Not that easy with the Touch Pad and Left Button. I used the Comb to lie the hair in the approximate direction for each part of the body and used the scissors again to cut any wayward or too long looking hairs. I then used the Curve tool to get them to curve down and across the surface.

    In that window and the Next two, Clump and Tweak, you can play with the sliders to see what they do to the hair and use any settings that look right. You can also go back to other windows, like Styling to cut any wayward hairs, and make changes.

    Once finished press the Accept button at the bottom of the frame.

    This is Noggin's Rat, my first attempt at using the Strand-Based Hair

    Click on image for full size.

    Click on image for full size.

    noggins-rat-strand-hair-002.jpg
    1920 x 1080 - 839K
    noggins-rat-strand-hair-003.jpg
    1920 x 1080 - 660K
    Post edited by Fishtales on
  • FishtalesFishtales Posts: 6,119
    edited August 2019

    As I said in the last post I was working with the LowRez rat while I worked my way through.

    This is the default render after setting it all up. It is a 3Dlight surface and there are a couple of things needing changed and it doesn't work to just run the Iray Uber Base on it.

    Click on image for full size.

     

    Now to the changes. On the rat itself I run the Uber Shader and lowered the Glossiness as it was too much. On the strand hair I had Fur and Strand-Based Hair in the surface tab. 

    In the ROOT and TIP Transmission I changed the colour to black and used the black rat diffuse map in both. In the other one I used the brown rat diffuse map.

    In the hair ROOT and TIP colour I did the same.

    In the Root and Tip highlight I changed to white and Roughness to 0.80.

    This is the result.

    Click on image for full size.

    lorez-rat-strand-hair-001.jpg
    1920 x 1080 - 670K
    lorez-rat-strand-hair-002.jpg
    1920 x 1080 - 642K
    Post edited by Fishtales on
  • nonesuch00nonesuch00 Posts: 18,131
    Fishtales said:

    As I said in the last post I was working with the LowRez rat while I worked my way through.

    This is the default render after setting it all up. It is a 3Dlight surface and there are a couple of things needing changed and it doesn't work to just run the Iray Uber Base on it.

    Click on image for full size.

     

    Now to the changes. On the rat itself I run the Uber Shader and lowered the Glossiness as it was too much. On the strand hair I had Fur and Strand-Based Hair in the surface tab. 

    In the ROOT and TIP Transmission I changed the colour to black and used the black rat diffuse map in both. In the other one I used the brown rat diffuse map.

    In the hair ROOT and TIP colour I did the same.

    In the Root and Tip highlight I changed to white and Roughness to 0.80.

    This is the result.

    Click on image for full size.

    Those are good. I was divided on whether to learn SBH or animation but I wanted to learn to do one thing for a change for starters really good in DAZ. Since animation was utilizable outside DAZ Studio I went with that.

    My best friends' daughter has a pet rat! It is huge. 

  • NovicaNovica Posts: 23,887

    It's nice to see the PAs donation to help GypsyAngel. Thank you so much @KindredArts for the donation today!  Nearing $2000.00

  • L'AdairL'Adair Posts: 9,479
    Novica said:

    It's nice to see the PAs donation to help GypsyAngel. Thank you so much @KindredArts for the donation today!  Nearing $2000.00

    Or as like to say, only 204 skipped cups of Starbucks fancy coffee to go!

    (And it warms the heart to see PAs chipping in. I add my voice to the "Thank you, @KindredArts." You're a gem.)

This discussion has been closed.