Novica & Forum Members Tips & Product Reviews Pt 8

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  • MelanieLMelanieL Posts: 7,091

    Hm - high temperature today here (southern England) is expected to be 10 deg Celsius (i.e. about 50 degrees F), but it is supposed to warm up to 20 deg (or 68 deg F) by next weekend. Is that Winter for you? laugh

  • NovicaNovica Posts: 23,859
    edited April 2017

    Don't forget to get some renders done in April- it's the end of the month and we're doing the Top 3-5 again! 

    I'm rendering men (no hair/clothes) to compare who does well with who regarding similar lighting. (And to compare default skin tones.) While this may not be the best lighting, I'm trying to find an average setting that will work decently (no blowout, not TOO dark) to compare the guys. This will also show you which men have skin tones which are quite different from each other, in case you want a variety (or to get men who are about the same.) 

    Also, with the new males released, I need to compare what I already have. I'm looking at eyebrows mostly, because morphs can severely change the mouth lines, nose, and eyelids. So enjoy the upcoming comparisons. What I did- I kept the ISO at 145, and only changed the Exposure Value so the men looked approximately the same. I did not change the lights to accomodate those with more ruddy tones, the same lights used on all. If you want to play with the dudes today, and test different light sets, I've got the Pro-Studio covered, that's the only one I'm doing.

     

     

    Post edited by Novica on
  • NovicaNovica Posts: 23,859
    edited May 2017

    Genesis 3 Men List Summary 

    Film ISO stays at 145. The standard Exposure Value started at 13.76, if it goes lower, the character had to be lightened. Higher numbers means the figure was too bright and had to be darkened to show details. The goal is to keep the range as small as possible. (These could/should be lightened or darkened more, but then you're not comparing apples with apples.) I am only doing the standard faces.

    I am making my decisions based on the point where details are lost on the forehead- the burn highlights. (NOT the shadows in the cheeks.)  I find the forehead is a good variable to monitor, easy to see.

    These are listed by names, NOT by vendor's initials. 

    A Renders  (Click link)
    Abel        14.25
    Aiden       14.25    
    Alex         14.25
    Alexander 1    14.65
    Alexander 2    14.33
    Alexi        13.36     
    Aran         14.45
    Arnaldo     14.25
    Awan        14.25
     

    B & C Renders  (Click Link)
    Brayden    13.76     
    Brett         14.43
    Chase       14.58
    Cian          14.25
    Cole          14.25
    Corbin       14.22

    D renders:      (Click Link)
    Dale          14.23
    Damen      13.89
    Danny       14.56
    Dante 7     14.19
    Darius 7     13.52
    Dash         13.52
    Derek        13.88
    Devin        14.23
    Dmitri        14.55  
    Donnie       14.89

    E - F - G Renders   (Click Link)
    Edgar         14.52
    Ekko          14.68
    Elijah 7       14.33
    Enkil          13.99
    Ethan         13.40
    Evan          13.76  (Default HDRI, Iray) (MelanieL) 
    Fujio           14.58
    Gabriel        13.90
    George        14.58
    Gianni 7       14.27
    Gray            14.27
    Gregori (EJ)      14.92
    Guy 7               13.92
    Gwenbleiz         14.92

    H - I - J Renders  (Click Link)
    Henryk         14.61          
    Hunter          14.61
    Ipo               13.80
    Isaac            13.12
    Ivan 7           14.21
    Jared            14.95
    Jax               13.45
    Jurou             13.70

    K Renders       (Click Link)
    Kabaka          13.03 
    Kahu              13.52
    Kai                 14.20  
    Kenji 7            15.15
    Keanu             14.57
    Khai                14.25             
    Kheiron            13.30
    Killian              14.95
    Kimo 7             14.25
    Konstantin        14.25
    Kyle                 14.75

    L - M (Part 1)  Renders         (Click Link) 
    Landon  13.65 (Painter's Lights) (RGcincy) (4 different morphs)
    Lee 7    14.60
    Leo 7     14.10 
    Liam      14.30
    Lucian 7   14.60
    Lucius      14.50
    Mace       13.65
    Makaio     14.15
    Makani     14.25
    Makoa      13.90
    Malachi     14.15
     

    M (Part 2)  - N - O - P - R (Part 1)   Renders  (Click Link) 
    Mateo    14.15
    Max       14.55
    Merrick   13.90
    Michael 7   14.40
    Nathan      14.40
    Noah     14.50
    Oscar    14.15
    Parker    13.90
    Pavel     14.40
    Ragnar    14.40
    Raoul      13.43
    Robert     14.35

    R (Part 2) - S - T- X  (Clink Link) 
    Ronan    14.20
    Russell   14.40
    Samuel    13.85
    Sasori   14.40
    Sawyer   14.09
    Scion   15.49
    Seth    14.50
    Shen      13.76     (also shown by MelanieL, Default Iray HDRI)
    Takeshi   14.40
    Tchanun    13.76   (MelanieL, Default Iray HDRI)
    Toruum   15.30
    Tween Ryan   14.70
    Xavier   13.35


     

     

     

    Post edited by Novica on
  • NovicaNovica Posts: 23,859
    edited April 2017

    Genesis 3 Males- A's

    Abel  13.36
    Aiden  14.25


    Alex  14.15
    Alexander 1    14.65

    Alexander 2     14.33
    Alexi    13.36


    Aran    14.45
    Arnaldo  14.25


    Awan    14.25

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    Aiden.png
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    Alex.png
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    Alexander1.png
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    Alexi.png
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    Aran.png
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    Awan.png
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    Post edited by Novica on
  • NovicaNovica Posts: 23,859
    edited April 2017

    Genesis 3 Males- B's and C's

    Brayden   13.76
    Brett         14.43

    Chase     14.58
    Cian        13.75

    Cole      14.22
    Corbin    14.22

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    Chase.png
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    Cian.png
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    Cole.png
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    Post edited by Novica on
  • NovicaNovica Posts: 23,859
    MelanieL said:

    Hm - high temperature today here (southern England) is expected to be 10 deg Celsius (i.e. about 50 degrees F), but it is supposed to warm up to 20 deg (or 68 deg F) by next weekend. Is that Winter for you? laugh

    Our winters in Florida Panhandle go from in the teens at night- but usually 35-60 degrees (as high as 75 but that's not for long, or for very often) with the high around 55-70. (and up to 85-90.)   What I like is the summer goes through end of September usually, and even October is still in the 80's a lot. November and December are 60's and 70's but again, we can get 40-50's. It's always interesting, never boring!  January and February are usually still in the 60's but 70's are also common. Love the Panhandle!

    Summers, not so much. 114 degree heat indexes aren't the norm, but 100-108 are. I don't see how roofers do it, because the heat coming off those roofs is blistering. (And construction workers.) They need to be paid bonuses in the summer IMO!

  • firewardenfirewarden Posts: 1,454
    MelanieL said:

    Thank you, firewarden and RGcincy.

    Serene - yes I'm really pleased with the greenery - I wondered whether the flowers would look bad up close but they hold up quite well. Incidentally the signage (and indeed the ford hardware) can be removed quite easily for a less modern look - they are separate objects. The product only comes with whole-scene loads (three versions: one for 3Delight and two for Iray with/without SSS) not individual props, but once loaded there are lots of individual components that can be hidden and/or deleted.

    ETA: The lighting in the Iray version seems quite a bit "sunnier" than the 3Delight - all the renders above are out-of-the-box as far as lighting is concerned. The 3Delight version comes with a skydome, a distant (sun) light and a UberEnv one - I'm sure a few extra lights (or increased intensities) would brighten things up, I just haven't tried yet.

    Good info! I was wondering until I saw your images if the signs and modern parts could be removed. And I agree that your images are better than the promos. I would not have hesitated had I see your images first. Still thinking of getting it this weekend.

  • Serene NightSerene Night Posts: 17,552

    I'm stoked to see a male tuxedo in the store for this generation. I'm picking that up. =-)

  • NovicaNovica Posts: 23,859

    I'm stoked to see a male tuxedo in the store for this generation. I'm picking that up. =-)

    Totally agree! However, I'm not seeing anything in the materials that makes me want to buy those. With all the clothes shaders available, I don't buy many of those.  

  • Serene NightSerene Night Posts: 17,552

    Spring is the time for weddings. I'm surprised they didn't include marriage poses with that venue.

    I will take a look at the textures. I thought the powder blue tux was quite nice. 

  • MelanieLMelanieL Posts: 7,091

    I'd be interested to see that tux in some more poses (maybe the dancing ones) as the promos don't show many (just the one sitting pose really). The shoulders look better than usual for male jackets here - on M7 they look quite nicely squared instead of the frequent rounded ones.

    PS: My Iray "let it run" test on that Country Ford foliage shot is currently up and running - it finally got an orange progress marker after 25 minutes so maybe it's getting somewhere now.

  • NovicaNovica Posts: 23,859
    edited April 2017

    Genesis 3 Males   D's

    Dale    14.23
    Damen    13.89

    Danny     14.56
    Dante 7    14.19

    Darius 7    13.52
    Dash        13.52

    Derek      13.88
    Devin      14.23

    Dmitri    14.55
    Donnie   14.89

    Dale.png
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    Danny.png
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    Dante 7.png
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    Dash.png
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    Derek.png
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    Devin.png
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    Dmitri.png
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    Donnie.png
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    Post edited by Novica on
  • NovicaNovica Posts: 23,859
    edited May 2017

    Genesis 3 Males  E's - F's - G's

    Edgar      14.52
    Ekko       14.68

    Elijah 7      14.33
    Enkil          13.99

    Ethan         13.40
    Evan        By MelanieL

     

    Fujio    14.58

    Gabriel       13.90
    George       14.58

    Gianni 7      14.27
    Gray           14.27

    Gregori       14.92   (under EJ)
    Guy 7         13.92

    Gwenbleiz   Edit:  Lighter. 14.40


     

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    Enkil.png
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    Ethan.png
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    Fujio.png
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    Gabriel.png
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    George.png
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    Gianni 7.png
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    Gray.png
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    Gregori.png
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    Guy7.png
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    Gwenbleiz.png
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    Post edited by Novica on
  • NovicaNovica Posts: 23,859

    BTW, if any of you were interested in the Brows products for G3M and F, RedzStudio is 50% off, ending today, over at Renderosity. And Rich showed you the Dreamland models in his Art Studio thread, and they are also 50% off. 

  • cismiccismic Posts: 629
    edited May 2017

    I recently picked up the @Design Anvil DA Emissive Softbox Light Set. I didn't do a large amount of pixels in this image and the only lights are the DA's. 

    cismic said:

    One of the lights can kind of be made into a snoot and direct the beam of light as I did lightly on the face. I think this image works and tonight I bump up the pixel count 

     

    This is lovely. 

     

    Thank you I do appreciate it. 

    Post edited by cismic on
  • Serene NightSerene Night Posts: 17,552

    Okay, my feedback on the Tux, is that it is worth the purchase. The neck area is problematic as it looks kind of doughy  in the collar like most of the gen 7 men's clothing especially if your guy is buff. I also think the bow tie could use more detail. It looks a touch rubbery . It doesn't have the look fo folded fabric.  The rest of the outfit looks nice, with the jacket having a number of useful morphs.  

    The editors have been having trouble lately with their naming conventions. They have missed the fact that the outfit loads as prom tux, but this item is called Classic Tux. I guess originally it was originally called something else. They need to fix that.

  • Cris PalominoCris Palomino Posts: 11,142
    Llynara said:

    Yay! You know I wuvs your schtuffs, DG! Maybe Elvis can ride the horse with the new mane and I can use Bling It on the saddle. Electric cowboys, here we come! LOL

    @Novica-you'll like the thing I've got going. For some stupid reason this texture artist decided that the mane (tail, fetlocks) for the Daz Horse 2 were totally unsatisfactory, so she accidentally modeled a mane (don't tell her she doesn't know how to model, she forgot that part and did it anyway) and is rigging (also a first) and texturing it now.

     

    Wouldn't that be Robert Redford for the Electric Horseman? ;)

  • freni-kynfreni-kyn Posts: 394
    Novica said:

    Genesis 3 Males   D's

    Dale    14.23
    Damen    13.89

    Danny     14.56
    Dante 7    14.19

    Darius 7    13.52
    Dash        13.52

    Derek      13.88
    Devin      14.23

    Dmitri    14.55
    Donnie   14.89

     

    SaveReally cool of you to share these.  Wish they were all in one zip file that I could download.  :)

  • isidornisidorn Posts: 1,601
    Renomista said:
    Nath said:

    Question: Did anyone get the Ruins of War Room? I can always use a nicely trashed room, but I'm not too sure about this one, unless the painting and the banners can be removed/retextured.

    As A German I am seriously insulted by a detail in this set. On one of the Flags (the left ones on the Promo) the "Bundesadler" - The Seal of the modern/current Fedral Republic of Germany - the best Democracy we ever had in Germany is used in a Nazi Context.

    I think DAZ should take this set down.

    And so they have.

  • NovicaNovica Posts: 23,859
    freni-kyn said:

    Genesis 3 Males   D's

    SaveReally cool of you to share these.  Wish they were all in one zip file that I could download.  :)

    No problem. I'm still wading through them, I figured since I was doing this for myself, I'd share. I have a lot of characters so I can show a variety.
    They're not optimal portraits (the best lit) but the purpose was to see how they all looked with similar lighting. (Which then tells you which ones are going to have to be tweaked even more.)  When I get done, I may do a zip for everyone for a limited time. But I'm not done yet and I am testing a product and also still doing weight mapping, so my time is rather split.

  • NovicaNovica Posts: 23,859
    isidorn said:

    And so they have.

    Hmmm, I wonder if they are going to contact the buyers and let them know the set is incorrect? That's the least they should do. Since it's been said that MOST buyers aren't on the forums, how are they getting the word out on that? Some of the buyers are commercial, and Daz owes it to them to ensure they aren't putting out erroneous images. Ouch.

  • NovicaNovica Posts: 23,859
    edited May 2017

    Time to post your Top 3-5 products you rendered in April!

    (They start on this thread in page 54, plus any you did for your gallery, in your own thread, or in the forums.) Remember, they don't have to be BOUGHT in April, just rendered. The instructions are in the first post of this thread, in addition to an example. You have until Monday the 8th (Daz time, midnight) to share your thoughts on great products. Then there will be a random drawing for a $5 gift card. 

    For those who have participated previously, remember the first post also has a link near the end to the post where all your previous choices are listed. (No repeats, please.)  Looking forward to seeing what you liked! Edit: here's the link.

    Post edited by Novica on
  • NovicaNovica Posts: 23,859
    edited May 2017

    First, here's a flashback to what I rendered in April. Of note- I returned Theo because the eye maps (hope I'm saying that right) didn't line up and I refuse to tweak any more products. (It had rims outside the irises). If it isn't right, it goes back now. Also, definitely do not recommend Cypruss outfit if you want to use it on a regular Genesis 3 Male. The material zones for the Centaur part (the body) are the same as the shirt/armor, so you can't hide the centaur part of the outfit. So this month, one return, one don't recommend.

    Wish I could pick more than just five, but here's a second look for you to easily surf:
    FW Brianna, Floral Jeans Outfit, Yumi Hair
    Nala, Choppy Bob Hair, Cold Shoulder Outfit, Gladstone Gardens
    Rane, Daria Dress, Manhattan Hair/Newsboy Cap
    FW Hillary, Twilight Hair, Summer Maxi Dress, Sophia Heels
    LY Cayenne, X-Fashion Chic Winter Outfit, Force Hair
    Force Hair
    Mayan Ruins, Theo, Army Uniform (Males), Simple Short Haircut
    Honey Bolt, Ceramics for Iray
    Wasteground Vignette
    Wear Them All (Gen3F/M),   Arianna for Karen 7, Zamara (Aiko 3), How Cute Is That!
    Far Journeyer, FW Brianna, Geneva Hair
    Rundown School Classroom, Eilish, Wall Ranger Outfit, Idris Hair
    Island Room
    Della, Fane Hair
    Della, Heath Hair, Casual Style Female, Belle Dress
    Makoa for Kimo 7  and here
    Dmitri  and with Jonas Hair 
    FW Aran, Diesel Hair, Cypruss Armor
    Ekatrina HD
    Brow Remover
     

    Post edited by Novica on
  • NovicaNovica Posts: 23,859
    edited May 2017

    Novica's Top 5 For April 2017

    Makoa for Kimo 7     Render 1     Render 2  Those eyebrows are awesome. Heavier than most, and gives such a stern appearance!

    Rundown School Classroom    Render 1    I like the materials and the scattered papers.

    Honey Bolt    Render 1   With shaders, you can really change this bot into a myriad of options.

    Dmitri (Gen3M)      Render 1    Render #2   Not just another pretty-boy, his sunken cheekbones add a sense of brooding.

    Wasteground Vignette   Render 1   You get quite a bit in this set, and the vegetation looks good.
     


     

     

    Post edited by Novica on
  • NovicaNovica Posts: 23,859
    edited May 2017

    April 2017  Top 3 - 5  Picks  (Summary Post)

    I will add a link to your current month post here, so all the posts are in one place and easy to surf. Then in the first post of the thread, I'll be linking the summary posts. You'll be able to quickly surf the months. The list of all the picks since January is here.

    Novica
    Isidorn
    Ice Dragon Art
    RGcincy
    MelanieL
    Llynara
    Jakiblue
    Knittingmommy

    Post edited by Novica on
  • NovicaNovica Posts: 23,859

    I'm hoping you folks have read the sales thread to see what great deals there are today, or tested the cart. These aren't glitches, either. With four of either Aave's or Sedor's items in the cart, including any in the New Releases, the prices are absolutely ridiculous. Thank you so much Aave and Sedor! 

    Factory Warehouse 24180 1 $7.48
    Basix - Poses for Genesis 3 Male(s) 23307 1 $4.49
    Iray Skies - 10 Skies for Use with Iray 42337 1 $4.47
    Sage for Genesis 3 Female 38041 1 $1.48
    MFD Matching Morphs Pixie Perfect Izabella7 34177 1 $1.20
    Spring Polo Outfit for Genesis 3 Male(s) 37715 1 $1.49
    Squash Court 38043 1 $1.41
    Fashion Flare 23572 1 $5.38
    Subtotal $100.39
    Discount -$72.99
    Grand Total $27.40
  • Serene NightSerene Night Posts: 17,552

    Thanks for posting the headshots. I must say there certainly is a wide variety of realism and styles in the men's heads shape. It is almost difficult to match various styles.... In addition to skin colors to get a similar build. IE: Big eyed females with corresponding Big-eyed or stylized guys.

  • isidornisidorn Posts: 1,601

    Isidorn's Top 4 for April

    Seems I only managed to get 4 renders done for my DAZ gallery in April, so not much to choose from.

    SY Confetti and Nature Effects Iray - render - I used more things in that render that I'd like to recommend, but to keep it to one product/render, I'll pick the confetti. Useful and verstatile.

    Z Creepy Manner - Morph Dial Expressions for Clarice - features some interesting expressions on dials. In this render I dialed in two of them on the character, if memory serves me right.

    Careless Braid for Genesis 3 Female(s) - Render - A nice hair with a very poseable braid.

    Droid - Render - An old product (SKU 973) but still well done. Very poseable and with many materials zones. Also looks good in a cowbow hat!

  • NovicaNovica Posts: 23,859

    Here's the E-F-G Genesis 3 Males. George really stands out!

    Will someone render Gregori? I kept the lighting within the limits, so didn't tweak him- but I don't like those ultra dark circles under the eyes. If I lighten enough to reduce those, the skin goes really light. I'm curious as to how it looks under other lights.

  • freni-kynfreni-kyn Posts: 394
    Novica said:

    No problem. I'm still wading through them, I figured since I was doing this for myself, I'd share. I have a lot of characters so I can show a variety.
    They're not optimal portraits (the best lit) but the purpose was to see how they all looked with similar lighting. (Which then tells you which ones are going to have to be tweaked even more.)  When I get done, I may do a zip for everyone for a limited time. But I'm not done yet and I am testing a product and also still doing weight mapping, so my time is rather split.

    That would be so awesome.  No idea why it stuck 'save' in front of what I was writing.  lol  I started to do this with the g2f a while back but gave up.  I was primarily concerned with body shape differences at that time.

This discussion has been closed.