New Store...
I do like many of the features of the new store. The showing required products that you don't own. If you own a product etc. I am hoping it resolves the having to relog in constantly just to browse. The checkout is more streamlined.
A few things not liking is every page is focused on figures, Artist, etc. But under tutorials for example there is no breakdown in that area. IE Carrara Tutorials. Now typing Carrara Tutorials in the search box happens to work I think catching it all (I think) But again if I go to shaders, I would like to see just Carrara Shaders,or Plugins the same way.
What I found more disturbing is finding the Carrara product is not so easy. You have to click on resources, then on software then look through 9 pages of items. And it isn't there. Even if you type Carrara you get a broken down list. But actually finding Carrara to purchase not so much. The main page and really anything else points just to DazStudio. If you type in Carrara you don't even get a banner or anything about the software. If you happen to click on Carrara 8.5 pro when you type in Carrara then you can find it. Its listed under All > Resources > Bundles> Carrara 8.5 Pro is where the header shows it. It doesn't show up under software (I made sure it wasn't hidden with being owned). Found out Hex is the same way. It shows up All > Resources > Software Programs > Hexagon 2.5 and like Carrara if you click on software programs, show all and scroll till everything shows up , do a search in the browser window I didn't see it (or Carrara). As far as I can tell if you just came to daz's website you wouldn't know they had a Carrara Product.
I am hoping this is just an oversight. I am not trying to stir anything up, and I hope this isn't taken that way.
Comments
Hello Milo
I did a quick search for both Carrara & Bryce by typing the software names into the Search box, was very pleased with the results.
The new search results will definitely make it easier to find things.
As for finding things in the new menu structure my guess it is still a "Work-In-Progress" with the DAZ3D crew.
All new systems have bugs that need some sorting out in the operational side of things.
Regards, Bunyip
I got locked out for several hours and only finally did things start working again.
The Account summary page has the biggest icons I have ever seen.
Very worrying: Click on the Daz3D icon at top left... goes to the top page. Carrara is not to be found. (Milo points this out above)
On the store it is there... on sale for 78% off. It is going for $65. Yep.
Is Carrara nearing end of life?
I went through the same thing... in another thread before I saw Milo's. As said, it is under BUNDLES. How weird! Should be under SOFTWARE PROGRAMS as that's where Hex, Bryce, Vue are.
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48404/#708534
Not very welcoming for new customers. I pm'd Jared... will see if anything happens. It's got to be a glitch.
:( SIlene
Yeah, carrara needs to be put back in the correct category. The current categorization was all done automatically and we saw all of our hundreds of bundles showing up all over the place. Because of that we created a series of bundle categories and put every bundle in the appropriate one. However there are some products that aren't really bundles, but configured as such, that got caught in that. Carrara is one of them, the old studio product page (which is disabled) as well, and I some others, that need to be corrected manually.
So the bad news is the categorization has some issues and needs a lot of work. The good news is we have someone dedicated to going through it all product by product and making those corrections. The bad news is it will be a longer process till we get all products done but we will update in large batches at a time so you should start seeing the results of it soon with carrara in the correct category.
Good to see Carrara is still there!
Let's hope things get sorted out, soon.
Glad it's been noticed....but, as there is this big Carrara software sale on and you have someone ploughing through all the misplaced products, it might get left too late.
Perhaps you might get Carrara's caterogy done as a priority. Then people won't miss out if they can't find it. Just my 2p, but might avoid complaints down the line for you.
Thanks for responding!
:) Silene
Thank you so much for stopping by and clarifying the situation! Best of luck with sorting out the glitches and ironing out the wrinkles in the new store!
I second Antara!
Thank you for coming on over here and letting us know. I know that it can be thankless sometimes having DAZ_ as part of you forum handle, but I'm sure everyone here is grateful to have the response from someone that knows what's happening.
We sure would appreciate any news or updates from you or others that know anything about the state of Carrara's development, keeping in mind we know there may be limits as to what can be shared, when it can be shared and by whom it can be shared. Again, thanks very much for taking the time to personally let us know the status.
I too will add my thanks for clarifying and letting us know whats going on, it is appreciated! I understand also the difficulties in massive updates.
I hope that Carrara will get its own spotlight page. :-)
And Bryce as well.
Looks like they fixed it. Carrara Pro 8.5 is in the #1 spot on the most popular list and #2 spot on the home page "What's Hot" section. :-)
It isn't fixed yet, it is just the product listing by default filters out what you own (if you're already logged in). So where as most of you may not see Carrara or Bryce prominently on the store page, everyone who doesn't have it see it as the first or second product shown to them on the page currently. It isn't a fix for having all the products in the store properly categorized, and most of you might be wondering "where is it?" because, well, from a store perspective, it doesn't do much good to show you things you already own. :P
Well... There can be many reasons why the owner of a product may want to revisit the product page. In my opinion, it should be as easy to locate for them as it is for a new shopper.
Besides, if you hide Carrara from the current users, you're just going to keep getting a constant stream of "why can't I find Carrara" complaints.
I think hiding purchesed items should be an option, not the default.
And even if you are looking at a previously purchased item, the page should still flag it as already purchased, like it has been doing previously.
i see car pro is 65 dollars cheaper than the non pro
http://www.daz3d.com/carrara-8-5-pro
Well... There can be many reasons why the owner of a product may want to revisit the product page. In my opinion, it should be as easy to locate for them as it is for a new shopper.
Besides, if you hide Carrara from the current users, you're just going to keep getting a constant stream of "why can't I find Carrara" complaints.
I think hiding purchesed items should be an option, not the default.
And even if you are looking at a previously purchased item, the page should still flag it as already purchased, like it has been doing previously.
I also think the default should be NOT owned as well. Especially with Carrara being on sale... or for when other pricey items go on sale.
Word of Mouth is good for sales. Often a forum member (not the artist) will post news about products on sale that they may themselves already own and like and want to recommend, especially if on sale. I always look at those recommendations just to see if it's what I could use.
On the bright side concerning new features... As someone else has pointed out, if I click on a product I don't own, and it includes other product requirements--- it shows the ones I already own without having to click on them as in the old shop. Now that's very useful! Cheers for that!
More please! :-) and thank you! Silene
But you own Carrara, why would DAZ want to sell it to you again?
Try this. Uncheck show items I have purchased. Look at the "What's Hot section at the top of the page." How difficult is it to find Carrara?
Change your sort to "what's trending?" What do you see?
How about changing the sort to "what's popular?"
Carrara is only difficult to find if you already own it.
But you own Carrara, why would DAZ want to sell it to you again?
Try this. Uncheck show items I have purchased. Look at the "What's Hot section at the top of the page." How difficult is it to find Carrara?
Change your sort to "what's trending?" What do you see?
How about changing the sort to "what's popular?"
Carrara is only difficult to find if you already own it.
I am of agreement if I know the existence of Carrara, but if I google DAZ3D, it have there only DAZ Studio which is the star !
I have some friends who begin in 3D and none knows Carrara, but DS, iClone, c4d, Maya, Lightwave etc, they know !
Try this.
Uncheck show items I have purchased, or log out. Look at the "What's Hot section at the top of the page." How difficult is it to find Carrara?
Change your sort to "what's trending?" What do you see?
How about changing the sort to "what's popular?"
How much more obvious do you need it to be?
Daz Spooky wroteth:
Daz Spooky, good to see you on the Carrara forum!!!!
I think DUDU_00001 is subtly saying we would like to see Carrara marketed better.
I think that for somebody who knows DAZ only for its (excellent) products, he sees on the Home Page only a promotion for a free software, then… why seek further ?
I think that all your softwares should be emphasized in a more equal way and not propose DS which is certainly very well for a beginner, but not ideal for somebody who seeks a true product of creation.
Same as above replies. If you are new to DAZ3D and viewing the new home page or some of the links there, you would not even know Carrara, Hexagon, or Bryce existed. I know they exist and what type of program they are, but new users might easily skip over them as just other content. Plus, how long will it stay on those pages(Whats Hot etc.) before its buried in the site.
As soon as you get to the shop, you see Carrara.
What makes DAZ 3D more money? Carrara or Content? Each of you already know the answer. (And no, it isn't close.)
Individually as a single product, Carrara sells well, as evidenced by where it is with the standard filters with "what's hot," "what's popular" and "what's trending," but as part of the whole... Well lets just leave it as "it isn't close."
Try this.
Uncheck show items I have purchased, or log out. Look at the "What's Hot section at the top of the page." How difficult is it to find Carrara?
Change your sort to "what's trending?" What do you see?
How about changing the sort to "what's popular?"
How much more obvious do you need it to be?
Relax Spooky.
DUDU's first language isn't english. Ease up a bit, okay?
It's understandable that there's a certain anxiety level about Carrara's place in the DAZ 3D universe, wouldn't you agree? Especially if you take a step back and consider all of us, with the possible exception of you, are out of the loop regarding Carrara development? You've been unfairly taken to task by some folks that used to post here in the past, so I understand the defensiveness. I would point out, that these people aren't the ones that have done so, and have been great advocates of Carrara. As have you.
Remember that the interface is:
#1 New to all of us, except DAZ and the folks that have been building the store,
#2 (In my opinion}, cluttered and overly busy.
Relax Spooky.
DUDU's first language isn't english. Ease up a bit, okay?
It's understandable that there's a certain anxiety level about Carrara's place in the DAZ 3D universe, wouldn't you agree? Especially if you take a step back and consider all of us, with the possible exception of you, are out of the loop regarding Carrara development? You've been unfairly taken to task by some folks that used to post here in the past, so I understand the defensiveness. I would point out, that these people aren't the ones that have done so, and have been great advocates of Carrara. As have you.
Remember that the interface is:
#1 New to all of us, except DAZ and the folks that have been building the store,
#2 (In my opinion}, cluttered and overly busy.
I was just trying to point out that you guys got what you wanted. On the front page of the Store Carrara is featured prominently. You guys just don't see it because you already own it. LOL.
And I don't have issues with you guys, it just came off wrong. :) You can't see the smile on my face. LOL.
Relax Spooky.
DUDU's first language isn't english. Ease up a bit, okay?
It's understandable that there's a certain anxiety level about Carrara's place in the DAZ 3D universe, wouldn't you agree? Especially if you take a step back and consider all of us, with the possible exception of you, are out of the loop regarding Carrara development? You've been unfairly taken to task by some folks that used to post here in the past, so I understand the defensiveness. I would point out, that these people aren't the ones that have done so, and have been great advocates of Carrara. As have you.
Remember that the interface is:
#1 New to all of us, except DAZ and the folks that have been building the store,
#2 (In my opinion}, cluttered and overly busy.
I was just trying to point out that you guys got what you wanted. On the front page of the Store Carrara is featured prominently. You guys just don't see it because you already own it. LOL.
And I don't have issues with you guys, it just came off wrong. :) You can't see the smile on my face. LOL.
To be honest Spooky I think the main problem really is that entering the site from the home page there is no mention anywhere of anything other than DAZ Studio, so any new users will tend to think that only Daz Studio is catered for. New members may not know that there are alternatives to DS, like the aforementioned Carrara, or dare I say it, Bryce. :coolsmirk:
Excuse me Spooky, I didn't certainly want to offence you, I simply put myself at the place of somebody who seeks on the web a 3D program with a certain level.
I understand very well your marketing policy because it's legitimate for an enterprise, and I'm glad to learn that Carrara isn't a weight to be trailed for DAZ, therefore, if I understand well, the immense community of users of Carrara can be delighted to learn that they will not be abandoned and that will put an end to all these sterile speculations in connection with the future of this marvellous software.
Relax Spooky.
DUDU's first language isn't english. Ease up a bit, okay?
It's understandable that there's a certain anxiety level about Carrara's place in the DAZ 3D universe, wouldn't you agree? Especially if you take a step back and consider all of us, with the possible exception of you, are out of the loop regarding Carrara development? You've been unfairly taken to task by some folks that used to post here in the past, so I understand the defensiveness. I would point out, that these people aren't the ones that have done so, and have been great advocates of Carrara. As have you.
Remember that the interface is:
#1 New to all of us, except DAZ and the folks that have been building the store,
#2 (In my opinion}, cluttered and overly busy.
I was just trying to point out that you guys got what you wanted. On the front page of the Store Carrara is featured prominently. You guys just don't see it because you already own it. LOL.
And I don't have issues with you guys, it just came off wrong. :) You can't see the smile on my face. LOL.
Well cool! Sorry if I took it wrong as well. The typewritten word is an inexact method of communication. None of the cues we get by interacting with a person face to face are available, so misunderstandings are more common. My apologies to you, sir.
Now, what's goin' on with Carrara 9? :coolsmile:
Well cool! Sorry if I took it wrong as well. The typewritten word is an inexact method of communication. None of the cues we get by interacting with a person face to face are available, so misunderstandings are more common. My apologies to you, sir.
I also took his postings in a negative way. They came off as argumentative and confrontational.
And I still think he doesn’t understand or appreciate the issues being discussed here by the DAZ customers.
Carrara is certainly not "featured prominently" on the front page of the "Store" (assuming he means the "shop" page). A transient position on the "What's Hot" scrolling list is unsatisfactory. Carrara, Bryce, Hexagon, DAZ Studio, etc. should all have a predictable, easy to locate position on the website, and should remain visible whether or not they have been purchased.
DAZ_Jon seems to at least have a partial handle on the situation. But this attitude of "if you already bought it, you don't need to see it", just doesn’t fly.
Well, he said he didn't intend it to be taken that way, and in the past, he's been generally pretty patient despite certain individuals (that no longer post here) nit-picking, goading and sometimes flaming him. I'll take him at his word and just chalk it up to a long, stressful week and poor choice of verbiage.
Your points are very well taken about the less than prominent display of Carrara and the point about the purchased items not displaying by default. So far, it seems that everybody that has posted has made that point, so hopefully DAZ 3D's marketing dept, and the web gnomes will take it into serious consideration as the new store is rolled out and perfected.
It's also important to remind Spooky and DAZ 3D, that while Content is the majority of sales by far, Genesis can't render itself, and that people that buy Carrara also heavily invest in Content despite being treated like the ugly stepchild. The recent challenges that we have been having, and the generosity of DAZ 3D and various PAs is proof that many, if not most Carrara users do use Content of some form or other to various degrees.