Novica & Invited Guest Contributors Tips & Product Reviews Pt 4

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Comments

  • TrishTrish Posts: 2,625
    edited December 1969

    nice one of ginger on the railing....Trish

  • NovicaNovica Posts: 23,887
    edited December 1969

    Beau For Stephanie 6 (DAZ 3D / Artemis3d)
    Fancy Hair (DAZ3D)
    Midnight Huntress For Genesis 2 Females (IgnisSerpentus)

    http://www.daz3d.com/beau-for-stephanie-6
    http://www.daz3d.com/fancy-hair
    http://www.daz3d.com/midnight-huntress-for-genesis-2-female-s

    Thank you Trish :)

    Here's a few more DO's for your March Madness consideration- Hair and a character.

    This is Beau (another large lip lady, out of the box) with her own materials, and the Advanced Ambient and Advanced Spotlight used together. Went with a warmer overall hue in postwork because of the auburn hair.

    The first render, the top of the outfit was out of the box, the other renders I curled it in. The outfit has nice morphs. Can not show the entire outfit as it is very skimpy in the crotch and is a g string. I bought it to kit bash- love the hood. The Fancy Hair works GREAT with this outfit/hood.

    I believe I just used Genesis 2, I don't remember loading up Stephanie 6.

    Again, look at The Tourist poses- nice variety and can be used for action shots.

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    BeauMidniteHuntress2.jpg
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  • NovicaNovica Posts: 23,887
    edited March 2014

    Answering a question from a brand new newbie- (you'll love DAZ Studio, don't give up!) Regarding lighting-

    Yes, we've mentioned a lot of characters that come with lights. If you want to start from scratch and learn how to light characters...

    An easy thing to experiment with- put one distant light on each side, slightly forward of your character, and one distant light directly in front. Put them at 20% or less. Add a spotlight behind the character, which should be from above and slightly to the side, and turn it on about 40%. Render and see what that looks like, and add additional spotlights as needed. I usually add another one to either the left or right side, forward of the character and shooting back toward him/her, and put it on about 20% to start with. This setup will give you dramatic lighting from the side (or back, depending on how you increase the spotlights.)

    EDIT: I will do Beau for you and limit myself to just a few minutes so you can see how this will give you a good place to start when doing lights.

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

    I took a few minutes and tweaked the lips and chin, the lighting took about ten minutes to set up. Also tweaked the diffuse and glossiness settings as I had changed those quite a bit to get more sheen. It's still got more sheen than the original so you can see the lighting better. Opened the hood up so you could see the cheek (on your right) The face is blocked by the hood, so that means your spotlight and distant light coming from the back isn't impacting the face. (Compare the chest and arm lighting with the face.)

    As you can see, I increased several of the distant light and spot light settings. Start low and gradually increase.
    This gives you a good starting point, then you can add spotlights to highlight whichever features you want. (For example, I'd come in with some from underneath to hit the chin, the side of the face, etc.)

    Hope this helps you newbies :)

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  • NovicaNovica Posts: 23,887
    edited March 2014

    Bryonia (Countess / Silver)
    Taranis (DAZ 3D / Nouschka Design)
    Plantz (DAZ 3D Ravnheart)
    Saba’a AlKair Table and Chairs (Jack Tomalin)
    Castel (Nathy)
    Riva Updo (SWAM)
    Autumn For Genesis 2 Females (DAZ 3D / 4blueyes)

    http://www.daz3d.com/bryonia
    http://www.daz3d.com/taranis
    http://www.daz3d.com/plantz
    http://www.daz3d.com/saba-a-alkair-table-and-chairs
    http://www.daz3d.com/castel
    http://www.daz3d.com/riva-updo-hair
    http://www.daz3d.com/autumn-for-genesis-2-female-s

    Okay, this started with trying to find more DAZ products to show you so you could use your rewards, plus testing a character.
    I want you to see Taranis and Plantz together. (back wall hanging foliage- NOT the fountain plants. Only the Boston Fern in the fountain is from Plantz.) What fun!

    I KNOW Castel is expensive, just wishlist and wait for a sale. The pool is so neat!
    What I tested: I wanted to see grays and tans from different products. So... the Castel pool (tans) with the Taranis (tans and grays) and the Saba'a AlKair table and chairs (grays) I used the Taranis wall but the fountain as an INSERTED FOUNTAIN/ PLANTER for the pool. Looks really good! Shown is the planter (but I left the water in the top, if you look closely.)

    For fun, I brought back the Angelo scene, changed his pose slightly, and just put Bryonia in to test the lighting for a character there. Yes, she's wearing long sleeves, as I said, for future "scenes" this would be totally different with the background being filled in, she'd be in a swimsuit, etc. I just wanted you to see Plantz with Taranis for the rewards use and Bryonia was clothed for the closeups so I just put her in there.) EDIT: You'll definitely have to fix the breast cling/work on cleavage with that outfit. This is out of the box.

    The Riva Updo is gorgeous, this is out of the box, no smoothing, no adjustments. The Autumn outfit is way too short for my tastes, but if you are doing closeups, I wanted you to see the textures. Wishlist for when it is no longer a "new" item and you can use your monthly DAZ PC code for it. Put it with a pair of pants, lol.

    And of course that's the Millennium Puppy. Still doing his thing.
    Click to enlarge/click again- large renders.

    FYI, remember these?
    The original Angelo by the pool.
    http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/34269/P1230/#538692

    Closeup of the chair from thread 3:
    http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/34269/P1185/#538104

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    BryoniaPoolAnjelo.jpg
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    Post edited by Novica on
  • NovicaNovica Posts: 23,887
    edited December 1969

    Spit's birthday is today- the 70th. Please pop in!
    http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/38803/

  • luci45luci45 Posts: 2,762
    edited December 1969

    Invited Guest Contributor
    Sulaiman for Michael 6
    http://www.daz3d.com/march-madness/sulaiman-for-michael-6

    Not wanting to do a negative reveiew, I will start by saying the texture maps are very nice for this character. Morris always does a great job with those. There are no HSS or SSS mats and the eyes don't reflect like other G2 Male figures.

    Because the character is called "Sulaiman" I expected him to look like an Arab, Persian, Israeli, anyone from the Middle East. The promo renders appeared that way as well. When I applied the morph and materials to Genesis 2 Male, I was surprised and disappointed, mostly because of the nose, the stupid pointy M6 nose! The lips aren't right either and he is very pale-skinned. The head or body morphs are just dialed presets. The body is the same as M6 with a thicker neck and a navel. (LOL.) I am posting my renders and the promo renders, which don't look like the same morphs to me, especially the nose, but that could be the lighting and the angle.

    I won't return this to DAZ because it was almost worth the March Madness price for the mats. I will darken the skin tones in Photoshop and with diffuse color before I use it, and create a better face, starting with the M4 morph with the good nose.

    I have Sliman and Ibrahim and like them. I think Sliman is supposed to be Persian and Ibrahim Egyptian.

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  • NovicaNovica Posts: 23,887
    edited December 1969

    Luci, I don't think being honest is being negative- you'll see throughout my reviews that I won't hesitate to say when something isn't to my liking/personal taste or expectations. Based on the promo, I would totally agree with you. Thanks for the review, it will really help people see what the product can provide.

  • luci45luci45 Posts: 2,762
    edited December 1969

    Novica said:
    Luci, I don't think being honest is being negative- you'll see throughout my reviews that I won't hesitate to say when something isn't to my liking/personal taste or expectations. Based on the promo, I would totally agree with you. Thanks for the review, it will really help people see what the product can provide.

    Thanks, Novica. The PAs do a great job and giving them feedback should be helpful.

    I spent a couple of hours making a morph and fiddling with Sulaiman's complexion in Photoshop after I posted those and this what I came up with. I kind of like it.

    suliman2.jpg
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    suliman1.jpg
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  • NovicaNovica Posts: 23,887
    edited December 1969

    OOOOOH! I like it a lot. You solved the pointy problem with the nose and he has his own look. Perhaps you should consider modeling people? He has more of the ethnic look with the nice skin tones you gave him.

  • NovicaNovica Posts: 23,887
    edited March 2014

    Knid (The AntFarm)
    rBot (DAZ3D)
    Cyborg Version 4 (DzFire)

    http://www.daz3d.com/knid
    http://www.daz3d.com/rbot
    http://www.daz3d.com/cyborg-version-4


    Wanted to show you rBot, which is another fun product you can get with your rewards. So he/she wouldn't be lonely, I brought in Knid and Cyborg Version 4. rBot is helping Cyborg V4 learn how to ride- it's different than a horse.

    Please note, the Cyborg MODEL 4 is for Michael 4, and the VERSION 4 is for Victoria. If you are just going by what is listed in your Scene tab, it may get confusing as it says "Cyber V4" so it took me a bit to find what was what.

    The rBot has glowing sections (the light blue) and is really a fun bot- so consider him for your MM rewards :)

    EDIT: Added a second image.

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    rbotKnidCyberV4.3_.jpg
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    Post edited by Novica on
  • JaderailJaderail Posts: 0
    edited December 1969

    Semi Quick tip for any user that owns the V4 Pro set or the V4 Hi-res Texture set. In the Hi-res texture set you will find 6 tone settings for V4, those 6 settings can be used on any and all Gen4 texture sets that I have tested. Here we have the Genesis M5 loaded at default and from left to right one of the V4 tones applied from left to right. with Left most default M5 and right most the 5th V4 tone. This same thing can be done on all skin textures by just checking the Diffuse color in the Tone settings of the V4 textures and then adding that color value to the texture of your figure in the Diffuse color area in Surfaces. Hope this was useful.

    V4_Tones-01.png
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  • Serene NightSerene Night Posts: 17,651
    edited December 1969

    Luci45 said:
    Invited Guest Contributor
    Sulaiman for Michael 6
    http://www.daz3d.com/march-madness/sulaiman-for-michael-6

    Not wanting to do a negative reveiew, I will start by saying the texture maps are very nice for this character. Morris always does a great job with those. There are no HSS or SSS mats and the eyes don't reflect like other G2 Male figures.

    I contemplated picking up Sulaiman but his body did not do it for me. Skin looks similar to things I already have and is quite fair, which is a challenge for me to light. Do not like the head shape.

    Thanks for the honest review.

  • NovicaNovica Posts: 23,887
    edited December 1969

    Jaderail said:
    Semi Quick tip for any user that owns the V4 Pro set or the V4 Hi-res Texture set. In the Hi-res texture set you will find 6 tone settings for V4, those 6 settings can be used on any and all Gen4 texture sets that I have tested. Here we have the Genesis M5 loaded at default and from left to right one of the V4 tones applied from left to right. with Left most default M5 and right most the 5th V4 tone. This same thing can be done on all skin textures by just checking the Diffuse color in the Tone settings of the V4 textures and then adding that color value to the texture of your figure in the Diffuse color area in Surfaces. Hope this was useful.

    Good to know, particularly using the Diffuse color. The differences are really good to see next to each other- thank you so much!

  • mori_mannmori_mann Posts: 1,152
    edited December 1969

    I'm sure everyone noticed already, but in case someone missed it.. Darc is back. Not as a freebie, but he's back.

    http://www.daz3d.com/new-releases/fw-darc

  • Serene NightSerene Night Posts: 17,651
    edited December 1969

    I'll be honest, Darc is not my favorite character morph, facially. Looks odd to me. . Kind of bummed we're still not getting any male stuff. =-(

  • TJohnTJohn Posts: 11,106
    edited December 1969

    I'll be honest, Darc is not my favorite character morph, facially. Looks odd to me. . Kind of bummed we're still not getting any male stuff. =-(

    Well he's an Elf type of fantasy character.
    As far as male stuff, how many t-shirts, jeans, shorts, sandals and sneakers do you want? Looking at the newer male clothing, apparently that's all we wear. :lol:
  • Serene NightSerene Night Posts: 17,651
    edited March 2014

    @ TJOHN Don't forget brightly colored dress shoes! =-) Seriously, there needs to be some male outfits and characters to go with all the female bots, fairies, ethnic characters, and such made for v6. There can be only so many ways you can redo the little black dress. Afterall I Think we've exhausted the many ways holes can be added for sex appeal. =-)

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

    The only male fantasy outfit that I saw is Puck for M4. At least Genesis can wear Puck. I'm sure that the Daz Store has more fairy/fantasy outfits for Michael but I don't remember them. I saw some armor but no cloth type clothes.

  • TJohnTJohn Posts: 11,106
    edited March 2014

    The only male fantasy outfit that I saw is Puck for M4. At least Genesis can wear Puck. I'm sure that the Daz Store has more fairy/fantasy outfits for Michael but I don't remember them. I saw some armor but no cloth type clothes.

    Well there's Peter Pan style stuff.
    http://www.daz3d.com/adventure-land-outfit
    http://www.daz3d.com/adventure-land-outfit-textures
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  • NovicaNovica Posts: 23,887
    edited December 1969

    I picked up my cat (Talker, you can guess why that is her name) from the vet and then headed to the stables for the afternoon and just got back. I haven't had a chance to see if that Darc is the same as the freebie, or if he has more. Anyone compared the freebie to the one in the store at the moment?

    Honestly, for men's wear, I'm still wanting swimwear/towel/water sets- whether it's a pool or beach- like a bottle of suntan lotion, a towel with great morphs and several material options, and different types of swimsuits. An over sized tote bag, cooler, and a sheet to spread out -yes sheet- or very oversized towel. I'm less than half an hour from the beach and am no stranger to lugging things there :)

    For men, is there a watch product? (you know, tick tock.) That has different styles? I'd love to see a watch and ring combo product, with lots of styles.

  • Serene NightSerene Night Posts: 17,651
    edited March 2014

    Fw Dan has a really nice watch. For men's accessories there is a great set at content paradise. I'll get the name in a few.


    Sorry. Auto correct changed Fw to February.

    Post edited by Serene Night on
  • Tramp GraphicsTramp Graphics Posts: 2,411
    edited December 1969

    Novica said:
    I picked up my cat (Talker, you can guess why that is her name) from the vet and then headed to the stables for the afternoon and just got back. I haven't had a chance to see if that Darc is the same as the freebie, or if he has more. Anyone compared the freebie to the one in the store at the moment?

    Honestly, for men's wear, I'm still wanting swimwear/towel/water sets- whether it's a pool or beach- like a bottle of suntan lotion, a towel with great morphs and several material options, and different types of swimsuits. An over sized tote bag, cooler, and a sheet to spread out -yes sheet- or very oversized towel. I'm less than half an hour from the beach and am no stranger to lugging things there :)

    For men, is there a watch product? (you know, tick tock.) That has different styles? I'd love to see a watch and ring combo product, with lots of styles.

    Well, I haven't tested the character yet, but I have the Freebie version, and, when I brought the paid for one up, it came up as "Purchased". Thus, I presume they're one and the same. The promotional art certainly is.
  • TJohnTJohn Posts: 11,106
    edited December 1969

    From the Product Page Description:
    "Note - This item was part of the PA Christmas Giveaway 2013. If you downloaded it back then there is no need to purchase again as nothing changed."

  • Serene NightSerene Night Posts: 17,651
    edited December 1969

    The other set with lots of male bling that I was thinking of is really great and is a content paradise. Wish someone would make that for gen 2 but it's called

    M4 Accessories
    by Richabri


    just do a search for M4 Accessories and you have it.

  • NovicaNovica Posts: 23,887
    edited December 1969

    The other set with lots of male bling that I was thinking of is really great and is a content paradise. Wish someone would make that for gen 2 but it's called M4 Accessories by Richabri

    A fun price at $5.95 too. Sigh- their search works like DAZ's- you type in the exact name and get zilch!

    I was thinkin' a few minutes ago- wonder when the new forums will be rolled out? Have I missed any posts relating to that- I don't have much time to surf the forums at present (monitoring/syringe feeding a sick cat.)

  • barbultbarbult Posts: 24,245
    edited December 1969

    Fw Dan has a really nice watch. For men's accessories there is a great set at content paradise. I'll get the name in a few.


    Sorry. Auto correct changed Fw to February.


    FW Dan is my favorite character (I don't have many) for G2M. The watch is very nice. That pack comes with some other accessories, too. You get a lot with that product, including multiple skin textures.
  • Serene NightSerene Night Posts: 17,651
    edited December 1969

    barbult said:
    Fw Dan has a really nice watch. For men's accessories there is a great set at content paradise. I'll get the name in a few.


    Sorry. Auto correct changed Fw to February.


    FW Dan is my favorite character (I don't have many) for G2M. The watch is very nice. That pack comes with some other accessories, too. You get a lot with that product, including multiple skin textures.

    Yes. I love the fact that there are several skin tones which is quite useful. =-)

  • SasjeSasje Posts: 835
    edited March 2014

    Invited Guest Contributor

    The Clown

    - Aging Morphs For Genesis http://www.daz3d.com/aging-morphs-for-genesis
    - Sad Clown Theo http://www.daz3d.com/sad-clown-theo
    - Clown http://www.daz3d.com/clown
    - Clown Textures http://www.daz3d.com/clown-textures
    - Luxus http://www.daz3d.com/luxus

    The_clown.jpg
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    Post edited by Sasje on
  • NovicaNovica Posts: 23,887
    edited March 2014

    Oh my goodness Sasje, that's like a "reach out and touch me, I'm REAL" render. Love the vein in the eye and the pores of the skin!

    FYI- if anyone likes the fountain that is featured today, look at the well too. Has really nice buckets with handle up and down (as the vendor noted, so a character can hold the bucket) It will be 6.73 instead of 8.97 if you have two items from MM.

    I'm getting the fountain and the In Style for Taylor Dress, because that drops the Taylor Dress materials to 4.03 and the fountain to 5.82- and waiting on the actual Taylor Dress. By getting the textures, it took off about 3 dollars from the order which almost pays for the textures. It was
    $16.58 for all three, which for a fountain, a well, and textures, that's fine. I like the props. (Edit: It also gave me $2 each, so added $4 to my punches. I'm going on Tier 3 now, which is unusual except they have had some props. Not buying the characters/clothes very often.)

    http://www.daz3d.com/fantasy-wishing-well

    Post edited by Novica on
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