For me it is a tie between Michael 4 & Michael 8.1. The rest have something too uncanny valley, relative to my favorites, I can't put my finger on.

Hi,

Before Michael 9 arrives, which one is your favorite ?

Flameburst said:

What would you like M9 to look like?

Richard Haseltine said:

Xellosz said:

Will Hexagon be able to handle it???

G8 works in Hexagon, with the double amount of polygon I think G9 might crash it.

I don't know the numbers, but it would still be lighter than Victoria 4/Michael 4.

Thx for the info. We will see it in a month.

The 8GB RAM part mentioned on youtube still makes my hobby 1050Ti twitching for help.

But all things will clear up soon.  

Ghosty12 said:

Gordig said:

Ghosty12 said:

Gordig said:

The expectation/demand that so many people seem to have that G9 is fully compatible with previous generations is just weird as hell to me. I started using DS during the G8 era, and I always assumed that G8 would eventually be superseded by something. If Daz is releasing a new generation of figures (or figure, as the case is with G9), I would much rather they prioritize whatever makes the figure better than previous generations than try to make it backwards compatible, because those goals are very much at odds with each other where 3D models are concerned.

The one thing why some folks want some form backwards compatibility, is with the content they have acquired over the years that being mainly clothing, hair and character morphs. And that last bit character morphs is a big one for many, they may have a character they love using a lot but the base character generation that the character is based on may have some limitations.

They then see that the next newer base character generation has some things they love, and as such want to port their favourite character to that new generation. This is why there are products that make it a bit easier to do this.

The thing with Genesis 9 after watching a bit of the announcement video, that may make this a bit more difficult is how they have changed where the main facial features such as eyes and mouth are in the figures tree they are no longer under the head sub tree like it has been for years.

I'm fully aware of that, and have quite a lot of G8 content myself. I still had no expectation that all my G8 content would work in the next generation.

But many myself included have more than that. Such as having Victoria 4/Michael 4, Genesis, Genesis 2, Genesis 3 and Genesis 8 content, I would think that many are not expecting to go back too far. But being able to use at least some Genesis 3 and Genesis 8 content on Genesis 9 would be nice.

Not to mention Millenium 3 and 2 figures...I worked out recently I've been doing this 2005 which means I'm up to 17 years and my runtime reflects this. That said many have been doing this since Poser began...

Ghosty12 said:

Gordig said:

Ghosty12 said:

Gordig said:

Ghosty12 said:

Gordig said:

The expectation/demand that so many people seem to have that G9 is fully compatible with previous generations is just weird as hell to me. I started using DS during the G8 era, and I always assumed that G8 would eventually be superseded by something. If Daz is releasing a new generation of figures (or figure, as the case is with G9), I would much rather they prioritize whatever makes the figure better than previous generations than try to make it backwards compatible, because those goals are very much at odds with each other where 3D models are concerned.

The one thing why some folks want some form backwards compatibility, is with the content they have acquired over the years that being mainly clothing, hair and character morphs. And that last bit character morphs is a big one for many, they may have a character they love using a lot but the base character generation that the character is based on may have some limitations.

They then see that the next newer base character generation has some things they love, and as such want to port their favourite character to that new generation. This is why there are products that make it a bit easier to do this.

The thing with Genesis 9 after watching a bit of the announcement video, that may make this a bit more difficult is how they have changed where the main facial features such as eyes and mouth are in the figures tree they are no longer under the head sub tree like it has been for years.

I'm fully aware of that, and have quite a lot of G8 content myself. I still had no expectation that all my G8 content would work in the next generation.

But many myself included have more than that. Such as having Victoria 4/Michael 4, Genesis, Genesis 2, Genesis 3 and Genesis 8 content, I would think that many are not expecting to go back too far. Being able to use at least some Genesis 3 and Genesis 8 content on Genesis 9 would be nice.

Well, you CAN use at least some G3 and G8 content on G9. There's an included pose converter, and G9 has autofit clones for at least G8. Let me be more clear about the rest: I don't fault anybody for WANTING backwards compatibility. I would like as much backwards compatibility as reasonably possible. However, I also understand that there are technical limitations to compatibility, and I don't want backwards compatibility at the cost of innovation. As I said earlier in the thread, G9 can either be a significant improvement over G8, or it can be fully compatible with G8 content, but it can't be both.

Can understand that, and true on the technical limitations will be interesting to see how it all plays out. Seeing as there will be a built in pose converter, then that has my interest peaked indeed.

I don't remember Jay saying that the pose converter would be included - only that ManFriday was working on one. I'm gonna assume (and probably correctly) that that would be a separate purchase. So don't get your hopes up...

Gordig said:

Ghosty12 said:

Gordig said:

Ghosty12 said:

Gordig said:

The expectation/demand that so many people seem to have that G9 is fully compatible with previous generations is just weird as hell to me. I started using DS during the G8 era, and I always assumed that G8 would eventually be superseded by something. If Daz is releasing a new generation of figures (or figure, as the case is with G9), I would much rather they prioritize whatever makes the figure better than previous generations than try to make it backwards compatible, because those goals are very much at odds with each other where 3D models are concerned.

The one thing why some folks want some form backwards compatibility, is with the content they have acquired over the years that being mainly clothing, hair and character morphs. And that last bit character morphs is a big one for many, they may have a character they love using a lot but the base character generation that the character is based on may have some limitations.

They then see that the next newer base character generation has some things they love, and as such want to port their favourite character to that new generation. This is why there are products that make it a bit easier to do this.

The thing with Genesis 9 after watching a bit of the announcement video, that may make this a bit more difficult is how they have changed where the main facial features such as eyes and mouth are in the figures tree they are no longer under the head sub tree like it has been for years.

I'm fully aware of that, and have quite a lot of G8 content myself. I still had no expectation that all my G8 content would work in the next generation.

But many myself included have more than that. Such as having Victoria 4/Michael 4, Genesis, Genesis 2, Genesis 3 and Genesis 8 content, I would think that many are not expecting to go back too far. Being able to use at least some Genesis 3 and Genesis 8 content on Genesis 9 would be nice.

Well, you CAN use at least some G3 and G8 content on G9. There's an included pose converter, and G9 has autofit clones for at least G8. Let me be more clear about the rest: I don't fault anybody for WANTING backwards compatibility. I would like as much backwards compatibility as reasonably possible. However, I also understand that there are technical limitations to compatibility, and I don't want backwards compatibility at the cost of innovation. As I said earlier in the thread, G9 can either be a significant improvement over G8, or it can be fully compatible with G8 content, but it can't be both.

Can understand that, and true on the technical limitations will be interesting to see how it all plays out. Seeing as there will be a built in pose converter, then that has my interest peaked indeed.

Ghosty12 said:

Gordig said:

Ghosty12 said:

Gordig said:

The expectation/demand that so many people seem to have that G9 is fully compatible with previous generations is just weird as hell to me. I started using DS during the G8 era, and I always assumed that G8 would eventually be superseded by something. If Daz is releasing a new generation of figures (or figure, as the case is with G9), I would much rather they prioritize whatever makes the figure better than previous generations than try to make it backwards compatible, because those goals are very much at odds with each other where 3D models are concerned.

The one thing why some folks want some form backwards compatibility, is with the content they have acquired over the years that being mainly clothing, hair and character morphs. And that last bit character morphs is a big one for many, they may have a character they love using a lot but the base character generation that the character is based on may have some limitations.

They then see that the next newer base character generation has some things they love, and as such want to port their favourite character to that new generation. This is why there are products that make it a bit easier to do this.

The thing with Genesis 9 after watching a bit of the announcement video, that may make this a bit more difficult is how they have changed where the main facial features such as eyes and mouth are in the figures tree they are no longer under the head sub tree like it has been for years.

I'm fully aware of that, and have quite a lot of G8 content myself. I still had no expectation that all my G8 content would work in the next generation.

But many myself included have more than that. Such as having Victoria 4/Michael 4, Genesis, Genesis 2, Genesis 3 and Genesis 8 content, I would think that many are not expecting to go back too far. Being able to use at least some Genesis 3 and Genesis 8 content on Genesis 9 would be nice.

Well, you CAN use at least some G3 and G8 content on G9. There's an included pose converter, and G9 has autofit clones for at least G8. Let me be more clear about the rest: I don't fault anybody for WANTING backwards compatibility. I would like as much backwards compatibility as reasonably possible. However, I also understand that there are technical limitations to compatibility, and I don't want backwards compatibility at the cost of innovation. As I said earlier in the thread, G9 can either be a significant improvement over G8, or it can be fully compatible with G8 content, but it can't be both.

Gordig said:

Ghosty12 said:

Gordig said:

The expectation/demand that so many people seem to have that G9 is fully compatible with previous generations is just weird as hell to me. I started using DS during the G8 era, and I always assumed that G8 would eventually be superseded by something. If Daz is releasing a new generation of figures (or figure, as the case is with G9), I would much rather they prioritize whatever makes the figure better than previous generations than try to make it backwards compatible, because those goals are very much at odds with each other where 3D models are concerned.

The one thing why some folks want some form backwards compatibility, is with the content they have acquired over the years that being mainly clothing, hair and character morphs. And that last bit character morphs is a big one for many, they may have a character they love using a lot but the base character generation that the character is based on may have some limitations.

They then see that the next newer base character generation has some things they love, and as such want to port their favourite character to that new generation. This is why there are products that make it a bit easier to do this.

The thing with Genesis 9 after watching a bit of the announcement video, that may make this a bit more difficult is how they have changed where the main facial features such as eyes and mouth are in the figures tree they are no longer under the head sub tree like it has been for years.

I'm fully aware of that, and have quite a lot of G8 content myself. I still had no expectation that all my G8 content would work in the next generation.

But many myself included have more than that. Such as having Victoria 4/Michael 4, Genesis, Genesis 2, Genesis 3 and Genesis 8 content, I would think that many are not expecting to go back too far. But being able to use at least some Genesis 3 and Genesis 8 content on Genesis 9 would be nice.

There are lots around if you have the skills and are willing to play in a modeller.

This is raiver from the original genesis. I autofitted using genesis 2 and then took it into zbrush but you could do it in blender also. Send back the altered mesh and update the base mesh in DS and you have another trench.

Michael 4 had a few duster style coats also. Not sure if they are still in the store here but rendo might have some if not.

Xellosz said:

Will Hexagon be able to handle it???

G8 works in Hexagon, with the double amount of polygon I think G9 might crash it.

I don't know the numbers, but it would still be lighter than Victoria 4/Michael 4.

Well, here it is 2022, and I encountered the same problem.  To make a long story short, I went hunting and found M4's actor file in the Michael 4 base Puppeteer folder under Products.  No fancy moves; just an (im)patient search. I hope this helps.  -Steven

I quess I don't understand the FEATURED ARTIST PA promo .. it says:
 

50% OFF¥ Featured Artist Stores

Get 60% OFF¥* when you buy any 2+

EXTRA 15% OFF¥*‡ Genesis 8 Items
EXTRA 20% OFF¥* Genesis 3 Items
EXTRA 30% OFF¥* Genesis 2 Items
EXTRA 45% OFF¥* Genesis, Michael 4, and Victoria 4 Items
All I get, no matter what generation, is 60% off.  Well, for whatever its 62% off. Oh, that's my extra for buying yesterday ... So what is classified as Genesis 8, for example? I have Feng Adelia in my cart, I do not get another discount added to her. I've tried other G8 characters as well and get no additional discounts. 

It's a mystery.  Some "gens" are more equal than others!!!

The strange icons or lack thereof goes back at least as far as Michael 4, for which it seems to have been... a fig leaf sort of affair.

Sorry its taken so long to get back with you. I checked the task manager and there are no instances of PostgreSQL listed there. I have no idea how or why that is but I'm assuming that's not as a good thing if they're supposed to be there. just to mention, I tried to access the lower res michael 4 character but it doesn't work. The high res character disappears and there's nothing in the window. I'm sure this has something to do with the Postgre SQL thing.

Wow those turned out well .  I think I prefer him best with any other skin than Michael 4 because his brows look less Tammy Faye that way. I didn't realize I had so much dislike of michael 4's skin but I think I suffer cognitive dissonance seeing that skin on Noa. It just screams m4 and   I can't get past it.   They should've just made him m8.1 oh wait....we have one already. Okay now my mission is to put m8.1's skin on Noa. Afterall turnabout is fair play.

Honestly, after looking at the Noa HD promos, I decided to skip it. It looks like it mostly just provides skin details for portrait type renders and very little else, and I don't do a huge number of portraits, so I can wait for a deeper sale for that.

So I decided to run a couple thought experiments. I sent the M4 High Res textures through Texture Transformer and Map Transfer to get a G8.1 map, and then put the M4 High Res diffuse textures over Noa's underlayers. First image below. It seems very clear from this that they color corrected M4's head and put it on a different body -- understandably; the market would really not appreciate getting a texture as hairy as M4 today. I had to add some fibemesh hair to him because the texture hair was so weirdly shiny, in a way that clearly said that there wasn't actually any hair in the image at those locations.Noa is on the left, Michael 4 over Noa on the right. For some reason, M4 looks really angry about something; I didn't put any expression on his face, so that's just him.

For the second image, as requested, Noa with a different texture, along with Noa Michael 4 on the right (because I just redid the texture in the same scene). The texture is the Deepsea 8.1 Merchant Resource. Not sure what the settings are -- I just used the default preset -- but it should be possible to make him a lot less orange with them. He does look quite a lot younger with that texture set.

And finally with the RY Perfectly Imperfect resource on the left, and his own texture on the right. Honestly, I think the Raiya texture makes him look a little more ... surly pouty Greek demigod. And apparently permanently surprised brows are just his thing.

I dislike the pro bundle and then the drib and drab release schedule. The initial bundle itself was kind of lacking, then to get more Greco Roman god stuff released each day is kinda a strange approach. If it all was released the same day my impulse might have caused me to hit buy it now.  Now that sanity has prevailed, I sort of feel burned by the approach since better items of the same sort may be coming out than what was in the pro bundle. Also never do like the HD not being bundled with the character.

I haven't liked any of the bundles really since Torment. Now those were bundles. 

I did buy the expressions today.

I agree they likely used Michael 4's face/skin on a different skin body. It explains the odd brows and the placement of the features which doesn't quite seem right, it's like the skin is a bit too wide for his face. And genesis 4 skins always seemed to cause the Botox brow look.

what I miss most are the characters. I think I really want to see what Noa looks like without m4s skin map.

This is interesting. My first order was January 2002, which was Michael 2, and he doesn't have a 3d printing license added. I guess because he doesn't even have a store page anymore, poor thing. When I checked Michael 4, he had his license added alright, also all the other DOs I checked randomly. So I do think the theory is good that they're adding licenses by customer join date.

Lunarlume said:

Love the shake on impact! Nice to see there are other Daz submissions. Still finalizing mine. BTW - I imported the FBX animation to Blender, exported as BVH. Worked out of the box importing the BVH for M4, V4, Genesis and Genesis 2. 

Thanks, glad you like it And interesting that it works without problems for all the earlier generations...

Tried copying the animation to G3 & G8. Was close but not good enough. Sometime I might adapt the animation copy to include joint offsets for different skeletons. Until then, the older figures will have to work.

Still getting details in place and determined to only use Daz (except for the blender FBX/BVH conversion, and final video compilation). That's the Michael 4 Skeleton in full undead glory!

Love the idea and scene! The skeleton, ground and plants look great imho! Some ideas for improvement: Maybe put some dirt around the coffin and try some wood textures on it? Also, in terms of composition, maybe put the mauseleum (or a second one) a bit to the side so it's not completely behind the gate and not everything is so concentrated on that one area of the picture/video? Same for the cross, maybe? Just some thoughts of course.

Nice work in any case, looking forward to the next version :D

Love the shake on impact! Nice to see there are other Daz submissions. Still finalizing mine. BTW - I imported the FBX animation to Blender, exported as BVH. Worked out of the box importing the BVH for M4, V4, Genesis and Genesis 2. 

Tried copying the animation to G3 & G8. Was close but not good enough. Sometime I might adapt the animation copy to include joint offsets for different skeletons. Until then, the older figures will have to work.

Still getting details in place and determined to only use Daz (except for the blender FBX/BVH conversion, and final video compilation). That's the Michael 4 Skeleton in full undead glory!