Generation Four!
Dartanbeck
Posts: 21,523
Carrara 8.5 now has the ability to load and use the latest and greatest figure technology from DAZ 3D: Genesis and Genesis 2, but we have all seen how it's far from a perfected affair.
Do keep in mind that Genesis and other DAZ 3D Triax rigged figures, like Mil Cat 3, DAZ Horse 2, Dragon 3, etc., require us to use the DAZ Studio content for use in Carrara, not the Poser DSON content. That one is only made to work in Poser.
Except for those, however, Poser versions of content, like environments, props, vehicles, etc., work MUCH better in Carrara than the DS versions.
Now, if you really want to just have some fun making human animations in Carrara using DAZ 3D content, without having to jump through hoops, try using Generation 4 figures: Michael 4, Victoria 4 and their variants: A4, G4, H4, F4, S4, etc., as they work very much as intended, like you were using Poser or DAZ Studio. The big thing that has to be done, using Carrara instead, is that we need to change the materials over to Carrara shaders, which is fun and easy, once you get the hang of it (ask for assistance if you need help).
I am incredibly impressed with the new Genesis 2 figures. Their shapes are just so spot-on it's hard to not use them, when we can. But for me, I'm not doing Playmate erotica videos - my heroes where clothing. I have always been hard at work with animating expressions. They are by and large one of the most important parts of my work. When I convert my V4 hair to work with Genesis 2 Female, the expressions actually affect the shape of the hair incorrectly. Beyond that, Generation 4 figures still use the INJ (inject) mode of adding morphs to selected characters. So I can set up specific character figures for specific tasks and shots. There are a lot of expression morphs available for Generation 4 figures, too, and a LOT of supporting conforming clothing and hair models to choose from. Also a full plethora of texture and character shape products as well.
So just because Genesis and Genesis 2 figures are the hot topic on the store shelves doesn't mean that they are going to mean success for us. I'm certainly not saying not to use Genesis... but I am saying that currently, Generation 4 figures are SO much easier to work with in a no-nonsense fashion. GoFigure (and others) have loads and loads of animation pose sets (aniBlocks) and there are tons of poses, expressions, and everything else you might need.
And even better, Generation 4 stuff has been getting sale priced a lot lately!
Load in your M4 figure, INJect him with the morphs you need for that character and give him the texture set that you want him to have.
Edit > Removed Unused Masters > Consolidate Duplicate Shaders
Now go into the Texture Room and tweak the shaders to your liking.
Repeat the process for clothing, hair and props.
Save this optimized hero to your Carrara Browser!
Rinse and repeat for the next character!
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Comments
+1 :cheese: Lots of stuff, cheap!!!!!
Another strong point in favor of V4/M4 and earlier figures is that the ability to use Carrara's vertex modeler in the Assemble room is preserved to fix minor poke through, improve joint bending, create sitting or leaning morphs, etc.
(Note - I still maintain my position that plenty of Genesis/2 stuff can be used in Carrara with appropriate planning).
(Edit - and I have used Studio to convert all that cheap V4/M4 stuff for Genesis and Genesis 2 compatibility)
nice run down Dart!
One addition I might add for newbies would be to use fenric's shader doctor to adjust your shaders in one fell swoop
Well worth the small cost
Google fenric shader doctor' for more info
I second that opinion. Just removing the shininess from everything will pay for it.
So what's all this about DAZ figures newer than Gen4? :coolsmirk:
1984, huh?
Incompatibility is synchronization. Error message is correction. Poke-through is tailoring. :roll:
- another good tip for newbies, if they have a version of Poser with Wardrobe Wizard and the appropriate PhilC files, they can convert clothing designed for almost any figure to M4/V4 (see Dart on generation 4 above), and also use Studio to convert it to genesis compatibility. (and see the "best practices" thread for genesis use in Carrara rather than getting frustrated and giving up).
Following the useful tips on Creating Items that Fit Genesis, we can use Carrara's Model in the Assemble Room feature to model items, model morphs to items, etc., and then export the obj, import to DS Pro, and make it work for Genesis (works for Genesis 1 and 2). It's a remarkably simple (and fun!) process!
One addition I might add for newbies would be to use fenric's shader doctor to adjust your shaders in one fell swoop
Well worth the small cost
Google fenric shader doctor' for more info
Thanks!
Awesome tool! I prefer to run Carrara with as many of Fenric's tools (plugins) as I can afford at the time! My collection is not yet complete, but pretty close. Also, his Pose Tools are fantastic, but cannot currently work with Genesis or any of the DS Triax figures, but has been a remarkable assistant for my animations with Generation 4 figures. Wouldn't be without it.
Still, using the "Consolidate Duplicate Shaders", as mentioned earlier, is essential in good Carrara house keeping. I have optimized shaders for some rather elaborate scenes without the automation tool, (Shader Doctor) and breezed through them all in no time. I enjoy tweaking shaders! ;)
Link to the aforementioned Best practices? using genesis and genesis 2 content in Carrara thread ;)
love it :)
Sure there's a lot of cheap stuff for m4 and v4, but when you have what you want, then there is not much new coming out
I;m happy to be shown an easy fool proof way of fitting genesis clothes to m4 v4
I believe to dream!
So many threads to praise the advantages of Genesis, and now a coming back to reality…
I don't know if it is an additional tactic of DAZ to make have patience to the users, but it is in any case a good thing to post a few humility vis-a-vis too pretentious ambitions.
Thank you Dart to make the relay of this reality, that consolidates us in the fact that to use series 3 and 4 is what there is best for the moment in Carrara.
As one said on another thread, DAZ3D is the leader in the rigged characters (with Poser), trust them to make succeed these new technics with the Genesis project.
What I reproach them, it's to place all their energy in this project by forsaking the main thing: the satisfaction of the users of ALL their programs, without distinction.
The fast money lasts only a time, after, it's the famine…
why stop at 4 I had lots of fun with V3,A3 and M3 in one of my videos recently
hmm, arent the hands a PITA to pose? Or are you using predefined hand poses?
yes I use their hand poses
I use hand and other poses a lot anytime as suck at posing
I prefer Genration 3 because simpler to handle, but I always use limits during the loading of the character and I don't have any problem with the hands…
Also, DAZ 3D are not the sort that believe that everyone should just stop using previous generations. They actually enjoy seeing Gen 2 (update from 1), 3, and 4 being used, and are quite supportive of artists making new products that support them, so kudos to them on that front. They are also very non-judgmental towards which software you chose to use, which I also think is really cool. But they are pouring an immense amount of artistic, technological energy into DAZ Studio to keep it as up with the times and, when they can, surpassing it. Very cool. So when they move on to Carrara, they'll have all manner of new ideas and experience to back them up... should be very cool to see.
Right! Generation 3 are some amazing figures as well! In fact, I remember not wanting to move onto the new Generation 4 because I liked 3 so much. I also try to never click anything that automatically removes limits. I like limits! :)
I use Gen3 for some particular purposes, e.g. "Victoria Year 3" and other clothing by Uzilite, very nice stuff. But I generally use Gen4 in Carrara, mostly because of my very large collection of related hair, clothes, etc. I still have not tried Genesis or later.
I don't recall any special problems with Gen3 hands, but I do like to use hand poses, it usually saves time (I seem to be permanently stuck in 48 Hour Film Mode, where "Every Second Counts ...")
:gulp: <- Caffeine High During A 48 Hour Film contest</p>
Also, DAZ 3D are not the sort that believe that everyone should just stop using previous generations. They actually enjoy seeing Gen 2 (update from 1), 3, and 4 being used, and are quite supportive of artists making new products that support them, so kudos to them on that front. They are also very non-judgmental towards which software you chose to use, which I also think is really cool. But they are pouring an immense amount of artistic, technological energy into DAZ Studio to keep it as up with the times and, when they can, surpassing it. Very cool. So when they move on to Carrara, they'll have all manner of new ideas and experience to back them up... should be very cool to see.
Right! Generation 3 are some amazing figures as well! In fact, I remember not wanting to move onto the new Generation 4 because I liked 3 so much. I also try to never click anything that automatically removes limits. I like limits! :)
OK, wait and see… but if they could devote a little time to other improvements, I think for example about the integration of dynamic clothing simulation, they would have there also a commercial return with the users of Carrara.
I understand entirely. And I really think (and hope) that they'll get Bullet whipped into shape to help us to handle that task better.
But I am more into working with what I have, as opposed to hoping for future improvements. That's actually what brought me into Carrara, so I can make my own movement morphs into conforming items. I was doing a lot of experimentation with Dynamic clothes in Poser, and got pretty good at it. Now that I have Howler, I might actually be able to become satisfied with the results enough to fix the glitches in Howler. But the thing that drove me away from Dynamic Clothes (and hair) in the first place is the lack of control - but rather - relying upon an engine and its settings and workings. As close as I got to actually liking the results, I never got to a point that I could consider using it in my workflow. I would certainly die of old age (or earlier) before I got anything finished.
But these beliefs are my own, and I'm certainly not preaching that others should follow. I just prefer to keep to a less headache-intensive working environment. My monitors last a lot longer this way! :ahhh:
I think that dynamics are labor-intensive (from beginning to published) no matter which software you are using though. Hollywood has teams that do nothing but work on the parts where dynamics have been deemed necessary - so they toil away tweaking and rendering and likely applying post until the dynamics work properly. Poser's does work pretty well, but still has its problems - at least up to Poser 7. I haven't tried any of the newer versions yet. Some of my pals here almost have me convinced into trying out the latest and greatest Poser Pro... almost. But so far I'm getting my imagination to my screen without it, so....
I am rarely in Carrara these days -- but I would like to get a set of Shaders and morphs together for regular use with Vicky and Mike. I am rather tired of fixing texture map multiplier...
I have learned (thanks to Dart!) that I am missing the M4 Elite morphs. I could have sworn that they were included before.
Ah well...off to the store I guess!
I am rarely in Carrara these days -- but I would like to get a set of Shaders and morphs together for regular use with Vicky and Mike. I am rather tired of fixing texture map multiplier...
Reby Sky has Carrara elite shaders and you don't even have to use the Reby morphs to use the shaders.
Carrara 7.2 Pro and maybe C8 came with Carrara hi-res skin shaders designed for V4 and M4. I could be mistaken here, but I seem to recall that those were done by Ringo. If they're installed they should be under Skin in the Shader Browser. Drag and drop the icon onto the multi-colored ball at the top of the shader domain list under the model's Shading tab. Easy as pie.
I would also point out that it is super easy to save multi-domain shaders for later use. Once the adjustments are done, drag the muti-colored ball at the top of the shader domain list and drop it on your Shader browser in whatever directory you see fit. The next time you want to use it, drag the icon for that shader from the browser and drop it on the muti-colored ball at the top of the shader domain list. You just need to remember that if it's from a Gen 4 female, it needs to be applied to a Gen 4 female. If it's from a Gen 4 Male, it needs to go on a Gen 4 Male.
I have my method of faking SSS, so I tweak even the Carrara shaders a bit and save them to the Shader browser so that when I want an SSS effect, it is very easy to add it. I've even optimized the sample res shaders and saved them for those times when I don't need hi-res image maps.
You can also save characters complete with morphs and shaders by dragging the figure to your object browser. If you have a clothed character you want to use again, group the figure and clothes together and drag the group to the browser.
The picture is a Marilyn Monroe morph using the Reby Sky Carrara Elite textures.
I don't really like M4 that much. The shoulders are just weird looking. I can get them looking reasonable, but it takes a fair amount of work. Then I have to go through the same thing with his clothes.
I don't really like M4 that much. The shoulders are just weird looking. I can get them looking reasonable, but it takes a fair amount of work. Then I have to go through the same thing with his clothes.
I have not used Mike 4 very much - I'd like to change that. I've long admired Dart's saved sets for his Dartan and Rosie characters. Something like a recurring theme might get me playing in Carrara more often.
What do you find wrong with the shoulders (I'll take a closer look later today).
I have not used Mike 4 very much - I'd like to change that. I've long admired Dart's saved sets for his Dartan and Rosie characters. Something like a recurring theme might get me playing in Carrara more often.
What do you find wrong with the shoulders (I'll take a closer look later today).
The tops always look hunched up to me. A bit bulbous on top.
That is only because Mike always hits his traps extra-hard at the gym. The better to sweep Vicky off her feet.
If you rotate the collars until the Y limits, it's looks better, but a little work with the soft selection is always necessary for the breaths (and the clothings, of course).
Yep never move the collars, always pose from shoulders and down, which means you need to avoid pulling on the hands and using ik , also preset poser poses will get you into trouble esp those made for other characters
Elite morphs are ? I bought some skin shaders with elite in thir name but never used them yet
It's for that I prefer generation 3 and lorenzo/Loretta Lorez, they reacts well with the .bvh contrary to the generation 4 with which there is some work in the keyframes.
I had not noticed that. I'll check it out, I use the Lorez figures quite a bit, and Gen3 occasionally, as I mentioned above. Thanks for the tip.
Yeah. I came with the same conclusion. I started a movie with Genesis, but I'm thinking of re-doing it now with Gen 4 characters. It's not that Genesis won't work in Carrara, but in general Gen 4 figures are more compatible. Besides, I'm fed up to wait what seems like an eternity to load a Genesis DUF character with clothes. It gets to me.
Details
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