NEW! Novica & Invited Guest Contributors Tips & Product Reviews Pt 6

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  • NovicaNovica Posts: 23,887
    edited April 2015

    Zahara for Belle 6 (DAZ Originals / Raziel / Silver)
    Ella Ella Hair PLUS for V4 and Genesis 2 Female(s) (goldtassel)
    City Chic for Genesis 2 Female(s) (WildDesigns)
    Day At The Mall for Genesis 2 Female(s) (DAZ Originals / Nikisatez)
    'Perfect 10' Laying Poses for Genesis 2 Female(s) (Dumor3D)

    http://www.daz3d.com/zahara-for-belle-6
    http://www.daz3d.com/ella-ella-hair-plus-for-v4-and-genesis-2-female-s
    http://www.daz3d.com/city-chic-for-genesis-2-female-s
    http://www.daz3d.com/day-at-the-mall-for-genesis-2-female-s
    http://www.daz3d.com/perfect-10-laying-poses-for-genesis-2-female-s

    Zahara for Belle is a really nice character and I was surprised at how much I like the Ella Ella Hair. It's quite different but the loose strands make it believable. Love it when there are stragglers. (And no signatures in the part, lol)

    The boots for Day At The Mall go very nicely with the City Chic outfit. They look like they belong together, but it's hard to tell in the laying down pose. You don't have to fix any poke through at all. One thing with the City Chic jeans- I used the Adjustments under Actor, but still had to go to Scene and get to the hip>thighs and use scale to increase it to 101.8% so the thighs didn't poke through. So newbies- don't give up if the regular adjustments don't fix it, there's a way to do it.

    So, I want to encourage a look at the Ella Ella Hair, even if you didn't originally think it would work for a casual daily-wear look. I like it! :)

    Also, the Perfect 10 pose series really give you some wonderful poses. I used the Laying Down pose set.

    However, I wish Daz would restrict the use of ' in front of any product titles- what a pain to find them in the DIM or Product Library. There's no reason to use it unless it's part of the name like O'Malley. Same thing for using all CAPITAL LETTERS for a word in the title. No need to shout at the buyers. In regards to DIM though, when I went through my thousands of products to download to an external drive, it was amazing what wouldn't come up with the titles typed in. The Dim search is almost as bad as the store's search.

    Large renders, Click to enlarge, click again.

    zaharaEllaEllaHair2.jpg
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    zaharaEllaEllaHair.jpg
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    Post edited by Novica on
  • Serene NightSerene Night Posts: 17,647
    edited April 2015

    I like that skin tone. Lovely midtone skin. Thanks for showing that. =)

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

    Invited Guest Contributor

    Sewer Model Pack
    http://www.daz3d.com/sewer-model-pack
    Dexsoft-Games

    This sewer model pack comes packed with everything you need to make your modern monster a home. Better still there are a ton of props which you can use to clutter up your scene. Pipes, papers, junk pile, barrels and cans are extra props and more. The set comes with a nice light set (seen here), and I particularly love the details like the scattered papers on the floor, the circular and ominous looking door, and piles of junky stuff like bricks and rubble.

    You can easily make this a nice battleground, the last shelter for humanity, or that place where those baby alligators well you know... Grow to tremendous size.

    One thing to point out.. The circular doors open to reveal a really useful extra hallway with another set of doors fully textured and filled with more junk.

    Love the set. Look forward to rendering it real soon. =-)

    sewer3.jpg
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  • NovicaNovica Posts: 23,887
    edited December 1969

    The textures look really detailed on that- wish I'd picked it up during MM. (Sigh.) Hopefully people remember what you and I had already showcased and remembered the ones they didn't have. I went back and found the Cake One expressions you had mentioned and did pick those up.

    I'm probably repeating characters because I can't remember what I've already done, but I am trying different hair and outfits to see what I want in the book so just sharing as I go along.

    I am a bit curious to see how the Nidale skin tone compares to Zahara- I really like both of those.

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

    The set is amazing isn't it? Such detail, and it renders fast too which I really like. It is also a great place to experiment with photoshop brushed to make haze, lights, and glowing effects, and a nice place to put your DAZ monstrosity.

    I don't have either Nidale or Zahara. For some reason. So I can't check them out. I look forward to the comparison.

  • NovicaNovica Posts: 23,887
    edited December 1969

    I'm using DIM at the moment so it will be about half an hour, but I'll do Nidale with the exact same lighting and we'll see. Will be later tonight but I promise I'll start on it ASAP.

  • NovicaNovica Posts: 23,887
    edited April 2015

    Here's Zahara and Nidale side by side. Only the light coming from OUR right would be a bit stronger on Nidale, but those are not from the front so this gives you a good idea of the skin color. Two good lookin' gals. :)

    EDIT: Yes, Nidale's ear is embedded in Zahara's side of her face, so I could get the two as close as possible and have the lighting the same.
    Click to enlarge/click again. Large render.

    zaharaAndNidale2.jpg
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    Post edited by Novica on
  • Serene NightSerene Night Posts: 17,647
    edited December 1969

    Hmm. Looks like close to the same skin and character. I do like Niadale better. Zahara's head looks big to me and even more stylized. I know she is a teen, but her proportions look a little big. Thanks for the comparison shot.

  • NovicaNovica Posts: 23,887
    edited December 1969

    You're welcome. Nidale continues to be a character that I really like, regardless of what else comes up. I do like Zahara's eyebrows (no surprise there.)

    I'll be rendering some of the characters I picked up, using this same light setup, throughout the week. Anyone else who bought some new things during MM, show 'em off! And be sure and check the thread in the Commons that is the "tour" of the Art Studio, I went from Dec 1- current renders throughout the Art Studio and posted links to some neat renders. Many of the ICG posts from here were linked. :)

    I'm headed to get some sleep (6am my time.)

  • NovicaNovica Posts: 23,887
    edited April 2015

    Great combination coming up in a few hours-
    La Llorona
    http://www.daz3d.com/fwsa-la-llorona-hd

    Ranger Hair
    http://www.daz3d.com/ranger-hair-for-genesis-2-females-s
    (Edit: rendering VERY slowly. I had this same problem with Avery Hair by 3DUniverse. 16 minutes and only 4%)

    Dark Passion
    http://www.daz3d.com/dark-passion-for-genesis-2-females

    I was cruising through my ladies in the studio to feature another one, then I got to wondering what would go good with one like La Llorona. Dark Passion has that moodiness about it which is a good fit. So here's the question for you- what outfits would you recommend, or have you used, that would go well with a haggard woman, a female creature? (You don't have to own them- if I own them, I'll consider rendering them.)

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

    Ranger Hair is SO slow. It was 11% at 1 hour 20 minutes, now 25% at two hours 20 minutes and its only down to her chin.

  • NovicaNovica Posts: 23,887
    edited April 2015

    Okay, so here's La Llorona, Ranger Hair, Dark Passion. It was almost certainly the hair that was so slow because in 20 minutes, it jumped to 65% from 35% when it left the hair and started on the outfit and arms. La Llorona has a lot of neat makeups and eyes!

    Large render. Click to enlarge, click again.

    la_llorona.jpg
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    Post edited by Novica on
  • Serene NightSerene Night Posts: 17,647
    edited April 2015

    I like La Llorna. I passed up on her, because I didn't realize there was a regular joe skin amongst the ghostie/monster ghoul skins. I may have to pick her up. I like the nose and the way she looks. =-)

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

    Yeah, I'm impressed. There's a different section called "creepy" and it's got even more options, like stitches and gore.
    Right now I'm rendering Tamara. She's much darker than Zahara and I like her too. It will be awhile.

  • TJohnTJohn Posts: 11,106
    edited April 2015

    Novica said:
    Okay, so here's La Llorona, Ranger Hair, Dark Passion. It was almost certainly the hair that was so slow because in 20 minutes, it jumped to 65% from 35% when it left the hair and started on the outfit and arms. La Llorona has a lot of neat makeups and eyes!

    Large render. Click to enlarge, click again.


    A question about Ranger Hair for PAs that may be listening in. Why has no one made a material set of colors for Ranger Hair? It's a great hair but has only the one color choice. Instant seller I would think.
    Edit: I've been working on a Zahara portrait in Iray. If it turns out well would you like me to share it here? Rated G, of course. :)
    Post edited by TJohn on
  • NovicaNovica Posts: 23,887
    edited December 1969

    Of course Tjohn, love to see it!

    I know what you mean about Ranger Hair. I kept looking for the additional product- "Where's the colors?"

  • fixmypcmikefixmypcmike Posts: 19,583
    edited December 1969

    Novica said:
    Of course Tjohn, love to see it!

    I know what you mean about Ranger Hair. I kept looking for the additional product- "Where's the colors?"

    Maybe they're still rendering

  • NovicaNovica Posts: 23,887
    edited December 1969

    Fisty said:

    Isn't that different? The 3DUniverse one is for Genesis 2 and is longer, that one is for http://www.daz3d.com/v4-ranger (which is also from 3DUniverse) So is it the same hair?

  • FistyFisty Posts: 3,416
    edited December 1969

    Yeah, it's a refit.. 98% sure they work

  • NovicaNovica Posts: 23,887
    edited December 1969

    Moderators might want to mention to the web team that the product's color isnt listed as a "recommended product" and that would be nice to know. Thanks Fisty :)

  • FistyFisty Posts: 3,416
    edited December 1969

    hopefully someone that has both can confirm that they work, I don't have the textures or the G2 version to check.

  • KeryaKerya Posts: 10,943
    edited December 1969

    Somebody could try with the free textures for the original Ranger hair here:
    http://www.sharecg.com/v/35417

  • NovicaNovica Posts: 23,887
    edited December 1969

    Fisty said:
    hopefully someone that has both can confirm that they work, I don't have the textures or the G2 version to check.

    Yeah, I don't have the second one so I can't do it.

  • NovicaNovica Posts: 23,887
    edited April 2015

    Tamara for Monique (DAZ Originals / Fred Winkler Art / Sabby)
    Crazy Locks Female Hair for Genesis and V6 (DAZ Originals / Goldtassel)
    Grace Dress for Genesis 2 Female(s) (Karth)

    http://www.daz3d.com/fwsa-tamara-for-monique-6
    http://www.daz3d.com/crazy-locks-female-hair-for-genesis-v6
    http://www.daz3d.com/grace-dress-for-genesis-2-female-s

    Well, for a time comparison this was 7% by 3 minutes, 10% in 20 minutes, 13% in 20 minutes, 20% in 50 minutes, etc. A very large render.

    Okay, for that hair. What is with that front strand? I hid the bows, but that didn't move the front strand at all (to my knowledge) This is with no smoothing, and it's a must for this hair if you don't want to take a chance. I've shown you the "before" and "after" I postworked the strand. Be sure and click to enlarge.

    The Grace Dress has really nice textures. Nice and crisp.

    Tamara is darker than Zahara, these lights were brightened quite a bit. the main light went from 38% all the way up to 86%. So quite a difference. I also dulled the tears in the eyes, the eye rim tears were way too white. I eyedroppered a pale color from the eye that was a bit mauve and slightly darker than the white.

    TamaraCrazyLocksHrGraceDress2.jpg
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    Post edited by Novica on
  • TJohnTJohn Posts: 11,106
    edited December 1969

    Invited Guest Contributor

    Zahara Portrait (DS 4.8 Beta>Iray)

    Zahara for Belle 6
    http://www.daz3d.com/zahara-for-belle-6
    Omri Hair for Genesis 2 Female(s)
    http://www.daz3d.com/omri-hair-genesis-2-female-s
    C-Elegance Jewelry - earrings (Christmas gift from a PA, not available in DAZ Store)
    Autumn Soft for Genesis 2 Female(s)

    http://www.daz3d.com/autumn-soft-for-belle-6-genesis-2-female-s

    Thanks,
    John

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  • NovicaNovica Posts: 23,887
    edited December 1969

    Oh tjohn, she's absolutely stunning! I think you've mastered iray the best for portraits that I've seen. It's so soft and sensual. Thanks so much for sharing! :)

  • TJohnTJohn Posts: 11,106
    edited December 1969

    Novica said:
    Oh tjohn, she's absolutely stunning! I think you've mastered iray the best for portraits that I've seen. It's so soft and sensual. Thanks so much for sharing! :)

    Thank you! I've been absorbing as much as I can from the various Iray threads. :)
  • NovicaNovica Posts: 23,887
    edited April 2015

    If you're PC+, Predatron is 60% off Flash Sale. (In case you don't get the newsletters or they have stopped arriving. I haven't had any problems with mine in a year or so, but I remember when it dropped off for no reason.)

    Kendra for Monique 6 (DAZ Originals / Raziel / Silver)
    Druidic Princess Outfit for Genesis 2 Female(s) (DAZ Originals /Bobbie25 / Sarsa)
    Niaby Hair For Genesis 2 Female(s) and Victoria 4 (SWAM)
    Ballet Poses for Teen Josie 6 and Genesis 2 Female(s) (Navi)
    Make Her Smile Expressions for Genesis 2 Female(s) (3DCelebrity)

    http://www.daz3d.com/kendra-for-monique-6
    http://www.daz3d.com/druidic-princess-outfit-for-genesis-2-female-s
    http://www.daz3d.com/niaby-hair-for-genesis-2-female-s-and-victoria-4
    http://www.daz3d.com/ballet-poses-for-josie-6-and-genesis-2-female-s
    http://www.daz3d.com/make-her-smile-expressions-for-genesis-2-female-s

    DRUIDIC PRINCESS SETS A GREAT EXAMPLE FOR MOVEMENT MORPHS AND ADJUSTMENTS!!!

    "Druidic Princess Outfit for Genesis 2 Female(s) has several supported shapes and pose drapes."
    OMGosh, what an understatement!!!!!
    If you need an outfit that can adjust to extreme leg movements (such as ballet extensions) this is your go-to for whimsical cavorting figures. My jaw literally dropped when I kept finding more and more options. Scroll down, scroll down, scroll down...oh and now for the next menu section...

    So if you're tired of outfits that just don't understand movement that well, or give only a few options, you've found your treasure chest. See the screenshots of the Parameters pane, below.

    I didnt find a way to flatten that section on top of the extended leg, it might have been there but I ran out of time. (Or didn't find the right combination, 'scuse me but there were SO many options! I could have spent another hour on only the skirt, but for this thread, you get the gist of the outfit.)

    I can't say enough about this outfit. It's family friendly (not even a belly button in sight) and lets you shuffle the pieces of the skirt around (the top layer) in addition to the underlying piece. Beautifully done, vendors!

    The Ballet Poses are fun and elegant, and can be adjusted to more moderate posing but they give you a great starting point. This pose is straight out of the box. I like Kendra, she isn't as dark as Tamara but darker than Nidale. This lighting is fairly strong so don't expect an ultra light African American. :) I added a Distant Light on 20% compared to the lighting of the previous renders, including Zahara, Nidale, and Tamara.

    As always, love the Niaby Hair. It's messed up enough to look "used" but not totally untidy. (EDIT: Note the Druidic Princess also includes a hairband, but it won't show with many of the hair products. It's a nice piece.)

    Make Her Smile gives you a nice variety of facial expression options, from subtle to giggly. Mouth open, mouth shut, take your pick.

    The Recommended Products does NOT have the texture set linked. Come on web team!
    http://www.daz3d.com/druidic-princess-outfit-textures

    CLICK TO ENLARGE, CLICK AGAIN- large renders and when shrunk, they look darker.

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    Post edited by Novica on
  • NovicaNovica Posts: 23,887
    edited April 2015

    Sweetheart Expressions for Belle 6 (3D Celebrity)
    http://www.daz3d.com/sweetheart-expressions-for-belle-6

    So how well do expressions for dainty Belle work for a character from Monique? Let's test them on Kendra. I zero out the expression with the handy zero expression supplied by the product.

    Later tonight/tomorrow, I'll try them on Belle. I'm running errands and starting a render every time I come back (more yardwork, totally redoing the pool area, when I get this sucker done after 2 months of working on it, I'll post some images for you.) so I've got four with another going.
    If you mouse over the image, it will tell you which expression number was used.

    KendraSweetheartBelle04.jpg
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    KendraSweetheartBelle01.jpg
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    Post edited by Novica on
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