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Using the Transfer Utility to move rigs between hard surface models

LZY_4050811LZY_4050811 Posts: 35
in Daz Studio Discussion

Hi,

I have a hard surface model that I've rigged in Daz Studio, all the weight maps are at 100%, i.e. there's no blending between bones as its a mechnical object.    I've needed to go and make some changes to the base mesh which has necessarily changed the vertex count so I can no longer update the base mesh using update geometry.    The rig was fairly time consuming to create so before I start again and do it all from scratch I was wondering if there are a combination of setting in the transfer utility to move the rig across to the new object with precision.   My experiments have found that the transfer process tends to blend face groups and weight maps making the clean up more time consuming that starting from scratch.    What effect for example would changing Distance Tolerance, Use Near Vertices or UV space make?

Thanks

 

Comments

  • Richard HaseltineRichard Haseltine Posts: 107,880

    You could use Trtansfer Utility to add the bones then, assuming it grouped suitably, use the Node Weight map  brush option to fill groups with 100% for their bone to get rid of any blurring in the weight mapping.

  • LZY_4050811LZY_4050811 Posts: 35

    Hi Richard, in my testing I've found that the transfer utility messes up the weight maps and the face groups which makes it a toss up which is quicker, just redoing the rig or trying to sort out the mess.   It obviousy works fine with clothing but for a hard surface model I need precision.   the models are effectively identical but the vertex order will change.   I was hoping there might be some secret sauce to the settings to get the precision I'm looking for.   

  • crosswindcrosswind Posts: 9,538

    I'm afraid you have to re-rig or re-weight mapping in DS if the base geometry changes ~~

    Instead, you could always rig the item in the software with which you made it. If there's any change / update in terms of base geometry, it should be easier to tweak the rig / weight mapping in the source software rather than DS ~~ 

    After the job is done, export / import FBX into DS. Then finalizing the settings of figure will be much simpler.

  • LzyLzy Posts: 10

    Thanks crosswind, I quess thats the approach I'll take going forward.   I've never had much joy importing fbx into daz studio.  I'm using Blender as my modelling software.   Any advice on FBX settings?

  • crosswindcrosswind Posts: 9,538

    I'm also a Blender user. As for FBX import/export, default settings will do. But I also recommend this plugin to the folks who're Blender heavy users as well as content creators with DS:  https://www.daz3d.com/blender-to-daz-studio-plugin

    If you're interested, you can check if there's any big discount in this store as well as superhivemarket.com since Black Friday is approaching ~ smiley

  • LzyLzy Posts: 10

    I'll check out the plugin.   I'm finding that fbx impart results in a mesh where the parts have split apart, rotaton and sclae are all over the place..  I've checked and my scale, rotation and transforms are zero'd, I'm at a bit of a loss to be honest.   I've used figure setup alot in the past as I tried the fbx import route and burned countless hours trying to get it to work, with very little documentation to review.   Trial an erro where the whole cycle is 15 mintues is soul destroying.  I'm now stuck between a rock and a hard place, I want to iterate the model I'm working on but having to redo the figure setup every time is a nightmare...

  • crosswindcrosswind Posts: 9,538

    Lzy said:

    I'll check out the plugin.   I'm finding that fbx impart results in a mesh where the parts have split apart, rotaton and sclae are all over the place..  I've checked and my scale, rotation and transforms are zero'd, I'm at a bit of a loss to be honest.   I've used figure setup alot in the past as I tried the fbx import route and burned countless hours trying to get it to work, with very little documentation to review.   Trial an erro where the whole cycle is 15 mintues is soul destroying.  I'm now stuck between a rock and a hard place, I want to iterate the model I'm working on but having to redo the figure setup every time is a nightmare...

    Understood ~ Well, as for FBX format export / import, the only reliable DS version is 4.23+ for which DS fixed quite a few bugs with FBX Importer.

    Importing both softbody and hard surface objects from Blender works well on my side ~~

  • LzyLzy Posts: 10

    Thanks Crosswind.   I think it might be a version issue then.   I'll upgrade Daz to whatever the latest public is and retry.

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