Okay, this is a repost from the old forums but I thought it would be helpful to put here. It is not as illustrative because you cannot post multiple pics in order anymore in the new forum (or I have not mastered that trick) so I placed the links to the images there for you.
Once I get 4.5 working on my system, I will see if it needs updating but if anyone can tell me what has changed, I would appreciate it.
Enjoy!
Creating a Genesis Partial Body Morph in DAZ Studio Pro 4 Using the DForm Tool by RKane_1
with GENEROUS assistance from zigraphix whose the author (I think) of the original document that can be found here: Create Partial-Body Morphs for Genesis - http://docs.daz3d.com/doku.php/public/software/dazstudio/4/userguide/creating_content/modeling/tutorials/pbms/start
Firstly, before you begin this tutorial, it may be helpful to peruse this section of the online manual: D-Form
For this Tutorial, I used :
• DAZ Studio 4 Pro
This was obtained for free during the giveaway that DAZ had in February through April of 2012 but the cost currently is uncertain.
Opening DAZ and load a fresh Genesis Figure
1. Open DAZ Studio 4 Pro and go the the “Smart Content” Tab
2. Under “People”, double click on the “Genesis” figure. Even if you intend for the morph to be used on the male or female figure, its best to start with the basic figure here labelled Genesis. You can always use this morph later when you are done on EITHER sex when you are done.
3. Once loaded, you should have Genesis in it’s basic “T” pose.
Using a D Former
4. Click anywhere on the Genesis figure or choose the Genesis figure in the “Scene” tab
5. Open the DForm tab.
You will find this usually in the “Actors, Wardrobe, & Props” tab somewhere usually on the left side but, if you do not, you can go to anywhere in the grey are where you see the other vertical tabs and right click. This will open a menu where one of the selections is “Add Tab” where you can select “DForm” to add this tab.
6. Click on Create New in the top portion of the DForm Menu.
7. Name your DFormer. This can be anything memorable as you may want to save it later in case you want to use it again.
Manipulating the Field, Base, & Handle
8. There are three parts of a DForm: Field, Base, and Handle.
I copied this directly from the documentation because I believes it most plainly and easily describes what is needed to know here for this tutorial.
“The Field appears as a wireframe sphere that surrounds the Base and Handle. The Field determines the size of the area that deforms when you manipulate the Handle. When you create the D-Former, the Field tries to encompass the entire node to which the D-Former is applied. You will likely have to position and shape the field to taste before you manipulate the D-Former.”
“The Base looks like a flat, circular disk. It loads into the scene directly beneath the D-Former Handle. The Base defines the baseline point from which mesh deformation occurs when you move the D-Former. Move the Base to where you want the center of the deformation to occur. “
“The Handle looks just like a toy top with a long spindle. It rests on the Base when first loaded into a scene, and is listed as child to the Base in the Scene Tab.
The handle helps DAZ Studio determine how much deformation you want. The further from the Base that you move the Handle, the more deformation will occur.
-To pull the mesh, pull the Handle away from the Base.
-To shove the mesh off to one side or the other, move the translation sliders of the Handle off to one side.
-To push the mesh, push the handle down through the base.
-To twist the mesh, twist the handle along a rotational axis.
-To squeeze or stretch mesh, use the scale sliders.
-To restore the mesh to its original positions and sizes, set the handle’s translation and rotational settings to 0.00 on all three axes, and all scaling to 100%.”
You can manipulate any of these with either the settings in the Parameters Tab or by direct manipulation with the Universal Manipulator but for selection, I HIGHLY recommend using the Scene Tab.
So that you can see all parts, I made Genesis invisible for this shot:
9. Click on the Field in the Scene tab and then, in the Parameters Tab, scale and place the Field so that it covers the area you wish to manipulate. It will be a a VERY large scale at first to encompass the entire figure but if you Scale it to 100%, then it will be a VERY tiny area. Here I have it scaled to 250% and I also used a combination of the parameters Tab and the Universal Manipulator to position it over the nose where I wanted it.
10. Next, in the Scene Tab, click on the base. Now Base Placement can make a difference when using rotate but mainly it should just be placed to where it is visible as what its relative position is usually immaterial.
11. The HANDLE is the key manipulator. Wherever it moves, it will change the shape of what you have selected with the Field in the direction you move with the Handle. Scaling also has interesting effects.
Spawning a Morph From a DForm
14. Go back to the DForm Tab
15. The settings here are important. You should always have the “Create Root Control Parameter” box marked off if you want to create a morph from the DForm. In this case, for purposes of demonstration, I will leave the other two boxes unchecked as I don’t want to lose the DForm set I’ve made and I don’t want the Morph set to 100% on the Genesis figure afterwards.
16. Click on Spawn Morph and name your Morph
17. You should verify that in the Parameters Tab under “Morph” your new Morph is there.
Saving a DForm Preset
18. So that you can load this same DForm set again if it is ever needed in the future, you can save the DForm as a Preset. Go to File -> Save As -> DForm Preset.
19. When this pane appears, remember you only need to save one single frame. It IS possible to save an animation with a DForm where the DForm follows or changes during the course of the animation but it is unnecessary for making a morph. Also, unless the morph is on an area which will have clothing or jewelry attached to it, then the “Also affect SELECTED Items fit to the Figure” is unnecessary to click on. Though if doing a DForm which will change the chest or torso, it is most likely necessary.
20. Name your DForm Preset.
TO BE CONTINUED…
(I know you can do well ^^ ,,, you know more than me @@;)
