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Z-flatten Script for D|S

ToborTobor Posts: 2,300
edited June 2015 in The Commons

Though I started out with D|S some six years ago, for various reasons I've been using Poser for much of my work -- that is, until Iray.

In any case, one of the python scripts I've found helpful for Poser is Ockham's Z-flatten. It works by flattening the z-axis at the current angle. The result is a flat 2D image with no light shading. It's a cheap and easy way to do illustrations.

Anyone know of a similar script for D|S 4.8? I could still use Poser for this, but I'm developing a bigger (mostly freebies) library in D|S, and would prefer to do more work in it.

Not every object z-flattens, but that's okay. V4 does pretty well, though some of her clothing goes haywire. I'd like to see how it works with Genesis 1/2/3. I know there's no per-axis scaling for these characters in the UI, but I'm hoping it can be done in script.

Post edited by Tobor on

Comments

  • FistyFisty Posts: 3,416
    edited December 1969

    If anyone can do it I bet Casual can.. he/she is amazing at making DS do things you'd never think it would. Here's a random current thread of theirs: http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/57539/

  • SnowSultanSnowSultan Posts: 3,773
    edited December 1969

    The Z-tooning technique was mine, but because I didn't write the script to speed the whole process up, I'm mostly forgotten as the original creator. Another reason why I want nothing more to do with that other community.

    You can actually get similar results just setting the Ambient to 100% and lowering the Diffuse to 0%, although you'll have to experiment a little with the colors. That's a nice method because it works on everything. :)

  • ToborTobor Posts: 2,300
    edited June 2015

    To be fair to him, Ockham credited you in his readme. I was remiss in not mentioning it in my post for reasons of brevity. I'm hoping to find a similar scripted version, in order to keep the same workflow. I'll try the other method you mention, though I'm particularly fond of your flattened look! (It's possible it's not possible, if Genesis figures cannot be z-flattened under script control. I could use V4, but I'm moving away from her, after all these years.)

    Is the shader method how you did your avatar, or is that drawn art?

    FWIW, the textures I use are watercolor, so the colors are not meant to be photoreal. The art can stand a little variation in tonal range.

    Edit: just tried it. For some reason all I get is black, including when rendered in 3DL. Must be doing something wrong...

    Post edited by Tobor on
  • ToborTobor Posts: 2,300
    edited December 1969

    Ooops, RTMF:

    http://snowsultan.deviantart.com/art/Cartoon-Smacky-kinda-tutorial-450921118

    Seems to 'splain it all. Thanks in advance!

  • SnowSultanSnowSultan Posts: 3,773
    edited June 2015

    Oh, I had just loaded up Studio and was going to get some settings for you and you found that tutorial of mine. If you still have trouble, let me know and I will get some precise settings for you. Also, you'll want to add any textures in your Ambient channel instead of the usual Diffuse.

    EDIT: You can get a slightly shaded look by raising the Diffuse Strength to 20% or so. You'll probably need to make your Diffuse color white too, it doesn't mention that in the tutorial. I also don't think you need to use a global light like in the tutorial unless you want to get slight AO or shadows using a Diffuse Strength of more than 0.


    I hope it helps!

    Post edited by SnowSultan on
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