daveso said:

UncannyValet said:

I made some notes about using Strand Based Hair Editor here

Daz3d PAs do not need to make hairs in SBH Editor as they can import curves, apparently.

probably an entire different game then. No fair, 

It is unfair (being able to import curves being the least of it). But that doesn't necessarily mean the SBH Editor cannot be used, especially for basic hairstyles, and even more especially for short hairstyles.

If your hairs are looking bad or becoming difficult to style, it could be because:

• Style curve segment lenght is too high 
• Interpolation segment length is too high
• Haircap vertex count is too high (sometimes this is good, sometimes it is bad. It is good if you want to have fine control over hairflow, but bad if your hair style becomes too complicated to style due to too many style curves) 
• Using too high values in Tweak tab (e.g., random root angle, frizz, scraggle). Unless you are making an afro these should usually be used with moderation.

I mention these concepts in that document i linked. 

Frinkky said:

Select a surface, say 'Arms', in the Surfaces tab, hover the mouse over the the Base Color image thumbnail and it'll show a larger thumbnail and underneath some metadata including the path to the file. This path usually includes the creator's name and character's name (assuming the creator set things up like that). That should give you some clue.

If you just want to load the skin material onto another character then just save the material from the donor character as a Material(s) Preset.

Worked like a charm! Thank you! 

Select a surface, say 'Arms', in the Surfaces tab, hover the mouse over the the Base Color image thumbnail and it'll show a larger thumbnail and underneath some metadata including the path to the file. This path usually includes the creator's name and character's name (assuming the creator set things up like that). That should give you some clue.

If you just want to load the skin material onto another character then just save the material from the donor character as a Material(s) Preset.

UncannyValet said:

I made some notes about using Strand Based Hair Editor here

Daz3d PAs do not need to make hairs in SBH Editor as they can import curves, apparently.

probably an entire different game then. No fair, 

I made some notes about using Strand Based Hair Editor here

Daz3d PAs do not need to make hairs in SBH Editor as they can import curves, apparently.

yeah, I would love to have this for DS https://www.cgtrader.com/3d-models/military/military-character/fighter-pilot-pack

I am tempted to get it since it is on sale and see if I can rig it.

It's really to bad DS doesn't import FBX files properly. Would be great to have this one also since it is rigged https://www.cgtrader.com/3d-models/military/military-character/flight-suit-fighter-pilot-rigged

if you need just a helmet, here is a detailed F35 one https://www.cgtrader.com/3d-models/military/armor/fighter-pilot-flight-helmet

or this one https://www.cgtrader.com/3d-models/military/armor/high-quality-hgu-33-fighter-pilot-helmet-with-mbu-12-oxygen-mask

Not an igloo style, but a cooler https://www.renderosity.com/marketplace/products/116215/at-the-beach-accessories

od you can get one at the normal 3D stores. They won't be rigged and the prices vary, but you can import them as an OBJ and adjust the materials and they work fine

https://www.cgtrader.com/3d-models/interior/house-interior/plastic-cooler-clean

https://www.cgtrader.com/3d-models/household/other/cooler-22917408-0c4a-4965-8e2e-8250743607e8

https://www.cgtrader.com/3d-models/household/other/pbr-watercooler

https://www.turbosquid.com/Search/Index.cfm?keyword=cooler&media_typeid=2

Rock23 said:

crosswind said:

Oh, my dear, more than a platitude~ it's not possible now in DS to 'spot render multi frames'. However you must've known there're quite a few workaround, why don't you try some of them?

Another direction is go to blender, use Daz Importer to send your scene from DS to Blender in which there're functionalities of 'render region for frames' and some good add-ons...

Oh, I did try them. That's what I meant by saying I am not looking for those. Maybe I should have made that more clear in my post.
The thing is I am wondering if it is possible with a plug-in or any other way, as technically it shouldn't be too hard.
But I was unable to find any working solutions.
Also going to Blender isn't really a solution. As importing Daz scenes into Blender works far from flawlessly (in my experience at least).
But if that is incorrect or outdated, I very much would like to know too.
 

Strongly recommend using diffeomorphic Daz Import to bring your work to blender for animation, you never know how strong the latest version of the add-on is unless you jump into it...

wsterdan said:

Sven Dullah said:

wsterdan said:

Sven Dullah said:

Yes my own morphs, by default there are not really any options to change the shape. Now in the process of making some wereables...

Looking forward to sseing what you come up with. What are you using for the modeling, if you don't mind my asking.

-- Walt Sterdan 

I was just about to add that I have Hexagon, and I opened it last maybe 10 years ago:) Nah I converted her to triax weightmapping, used the old dFormers to spawn a wider hip, thinner torso, left- middle- and right ..eh..breasts.  Will be interesting to find a nice top to work with:))

If you have any type of working modeler, you can just create a geoshell (extend it a bit from the body), export the geoshell as an .obj, open the .obj file and delete any polygons that don't fit the type of garment you're creating, then import the .obj and transfer the rigging and morphs from the main figure and you'll have a reasonably quick and cheap piece of wardrobe. If the quickie explanation isn't enough, I can write up a more detailed set of instructions with  proper names and stuff.

-- Walt Sterdan

Tks Walt, your tip is much appreciated! I already used the geoshell-trick to create a body suit- type wearable. And successfully converted some gen4 stuff to conforming (Cephalinoid) clothing, so I'm good for now:) Hm, in the process of creating that alien band I've been dreaming of for a long time, with the intention of making a 3 min video with music I made with a friend. For now, I'm doing it in 720p/30fps, about 2700 frames done;) Will probably post some stills here, in a bit..

With five figures and a "club-type" environment I can render the lot in an hour using OGL, but for the final version I'll use 3DL REYES with MB, a volumetric fog cam and AoA/UE2 lighting, at 1 - 2 min/frame...if I don't come up with a better (re)solution. Having loads of fun, in any event!

Sven Dullah said:

wsterdan said:

Sven Dullah said:

Yes my own morphs, by default there are not really any options to change the shape. Now in the process of making some wereables...

Looking forward to sseing what you come up with. What are you using for the modeling, if you don't mind my asking.

-- Walt Sterdan 

I was just about to add that I have Hexagon, and I opened it last maybe 10 years ago:) Nah I converted her to triax weightmapping, used the old dFormers to spawn a wider hip, thinner torso, left- middle- and right ..eh..breasts.  Will be interesting to find a nice top to work with:))

If you have any type of working modeler, you can just create a geoshell (extend it a bit from the body), export the geoshell as an .obj, open the .obj file and delete any polygons that don't fit the type of garment you're creating, then import the .obj and transfer the rigging and morphs from the main figure and you'll have a reasonably quick and cheap piece of wardrobe. If the quickie explanation isn't enough, I can write up a more detailed set of instructions with  proper names and stuff.

-- Walt Sterdan

There is a script that could be used for batch import http://docs.daz3d.com/doku.php/public/software/dazstudio/4/referenceguide/scripting/api_reference/samples/file_io/import_obj_silent/start

I very much doubt there is enough consistency in map naming for any auto-assignment feature to work, though http://docs.daz3d.com/doku.php/public/software/dazstudio/4/referenceguide/scripting/api_reference/samples/properties/material_properties/start might make a starting point if you have a source of models that would work.

Product suggestion:

We need a method similar to .mtl material library but which actually works for situations when loading many obj or big scenes with many obj at once.

• This should be a plugin/script within Daz Studio.
• It should allow you to import many Obj at once (i realise we can already do this with current obj importer, but main feature here will be to batch import and batch assisgn texture maps)
• When importing, you should be able to direct Daz to load textures based on the texture map names, so that they automatically get assigned to the correct slots in the Iray Uber Shader for the given imported obj.
  • e.g., For the imported Obj name xyz.obj, textures like xyz_Normal.png get put into Normal Slot at strength 0.8, textures like abc_Roughness.png get put into Glossy Roughness slot at strength 1.0 

Wonderland said:

Richard Haseltine said:

Wonderland said:

Lately I've been having several big problems with DIM.

1. All newly purchased items show up without their thumbnails and I have to select the entire group each time and click to download missing thumbnails.

Thumbnails have never auto-downlaoded as far as I can recall, certainly it has required a uer action for a very long time.

2. It says "Not responding' so long when trying to download or instal (not just start up) and I keep restarting it but only a few things download or sometimes nothing and stays stuck at Not Responding. There's an option to "restore program" which gets it going again but then everything downloads without metadata and I have to uninstall and reinstall several times until it shows the metadata is installed but... (see 3)

DIM or Daz Studio? Downloading has been a bit iffy recently, though it doesn't cause DIM to hang for me. However, "downloading without metadata" doesn't make sense in DIM - unless you mean installing.

3. The majority of my products are greyed out in Smart Content although they were downloaded through DIM. I have to keep uninstalling and reinstalling items. Even when the metadata icon is dark (formerly checked off) most items still show as greyed out when I open DS. Random products from various generations will be in color and usable and others are not. 

This sounds like a pathing issue, and does suggest you are meaning install rather than download.

Thumbnails used to show up and download automatically in DIM. All the little icons next to products are grey symbols now until I ask it to download thumbnails.

No, it has been confirmed that this is the way it has always been.

DIM hangs often in the middle of downloading or installing. When I click the X to close it, it sometimes gives me the option to restore program. Then everything will download and install but without metadata. That little grey thing that looks like a stack of CDs is either dark grey or light grey. It used to be a checkmark. The light grey ones are installing without metadata (usually old Poser products or V4 and earlier.) But often new products will install light grey showing they don't have metadata installed and I have to uninstall them, close DIM and restart, then reinstall them. But even many of the items that look like they have metadata, won't show up in Smart Content and are greyed out. 

I don't recall ever seeing a restore otpion on a hanging application - this does sound as if soem kind of add-on system tool may be present, and thenmay be a factor in what you are seeing. Given the metadata issue it is possible that something, such as security software as frank suggests, is interfering with the communication between DIM and PostgreSQL. Are the products available under Daz Studio Formats (or Poser Formatsfor Poser cotnent) in the Content Library even when the product data is missing?

Richard Haseltine said:

Wonderland said:

Lately I've been having several big problems with DIM.

1. All newly purchased items show up without their thumbnails and I have to select the entire group each time and click to download missing thumbnails.

Thumbnails have never auto-downlaoded as far as I can recall, certainly it has required a uer action for a very long time.

2. It says "Not responding' so long when trying to download or instal (not just start up) and I keep restarting it but only a few things download or sometimes nothing and stays stuck at Not Responding. There's an option to "restore program" which gets it going again but then everything downloads without metadata and I have to uninstall and reinstall several times until it shows the metadata is installed but... (see 3)

DIM or Daz Studio? Downloading has been a bit iffy recently, though it doesn't cause DIM to hang for me. However, "downloading without metadata" doesn't make sense in DIM - unless you mean installing.

3. The majority of my products are greyed out in Smart Content although they were downloaded through DIM. I have to keep uninstalling and reinstalling items. Even when the metadata icon is dark (formerly checked off) most items still show as greyed out when I open DS. Random products from various generations will be in color and usable and others are not. 

This sounds like a pathing issue, and does suggest you are meaning install rather than download.

Thumbnails used to show up and download automatically in DIM. All the little icons next to products are grey symbols now until I ask it to download thumbnails.

DIM hangs often in the middle of downloading or installing. When I click the X to close it, it sometimes gives me the option to restore program. Then everything will download and install but without metadata. That little grey thing that looks like a stack of CDs is either dark grey or light grey. It used to be a checkmark. The light grey ones are installing without metadata (usually old Poser products or V4 and earlier.) But often new products will install light grey showing they don't have metadata installed and I have to uninstall them, close DIM and restart, then reinstall them. But even many of the items that look like they have metadata, won't show up in Smart Content and are greyed out. 

Wonderland said:

SofaCitizen said:

Greyed out products sounds like maybe you have accidentally logged in via Daz Studio and thus Daz Connect has taken over.

I was originally logged out but that was even worse. It kept saying I need to download DAZ default items which I had downloaded with DIM but it wouldn't acknowledge they existed! 

Yeah, that would happen if you have Daz Connect configuration lingering around. Maybe there is a secret to using both but I could never figure it out and so would suggest NEVER signing into your account in Daz Studio if you install products via DIM.

The easiest way to fix that is to first log out within Daz Studio and then uninstall all products that have Daz Connect data. I have purged this all from my machines so cannot check exactly but I think if you look in the Daz Connect base folder it should have sub folders for all the products it has installed itself and uninstalling them should remove those folders. Once you have purged all that and restarted Daz Studio you should be able to re-install those products via DIM and they then should behave as expected.

The possible reason for your thumbnails missing is also because when Dan Connect is active it goes off and looks for updated thumbnails and updates the database to point the thumbnail path at the place where Daz connect stores things (the path with /cloud/ in there). Therefore, when you have purged the Daz Connect data you may have to use the "Re-import metadata" function from either DIM or Daz Studio Content DB Maintenance to put the DIM path (/Runtime/Support/) back into the database (Smart Content).

Wonderland said:

Lately I've been having several big problems with DIM.

1. All newly purchased items show up without their thumbnails and I have to select the entire group each time and click to download missing thumbnails.

Thumbnails have never auto-downlaoded as far as I can recall, certainly it has required a uer action for a very long time.

2. It says "Not responding' so long when trying to download or instal (not just start up) and I keep restarting it but only a few things download or sometimes nothing and stays stuck at Not Responding. There's an option to "restore program" which gets it going again but then everything downloads without metadata and I have to uninstall and reinstall several times until it shows the metadata is installed but... (see 3)

DIM or Daz Studio? Downloading has been a bit iffy recently, though it doesn't cause DIM to hang for me. However, "downloading without metadata" doesn't make sense in DIM - unless you mean installing.

3. The majority of my products are greyed out in Smart Content although they were downloaded through DIM. I have to keep uninstalling and reinstalling items. Even when the metadata icon is dark (formerly checked off) most items still show as greyed out when I open DS. Random products from various generations will be in color and usable and others are not. 

This sounds like a pathing issue, and does suggest you are meaning install rather than download.

Anybody know a so,union for this? 

Lately I've been having several big problems with DIM.

1. All newly purchased items show up without their thumbnails and I have to select the entire group each time and click to download missing thumbnails.

2. It says "Not responding' so long when trying to download or instal (not just start up) and I keep restarting it but only a few things download or sometimes nothing and stays stuck at Not Responding. There's an option to "restore program" which gets it going again but then everything downloads without metadata and I have to uninstall and reinstall several times until it shows the metadata is installed but... (see 3)

3. The majority of my products are greyed out in Smart Content although they were downloaded through DIM. I have to keep uninstalling and reinstalling items. Even when the metadata icon is dark (formerly checked off) most items still show as greyed out when I open DS. Random products from various generations will be in color and usable and others are not. 

Anybody know a so,union for this? 

Hmm ... You could say there were hundreds of pretty good examples of 3D models of anime characters out there; there's just a slight format problem - they're plastic figures (e.g. ami ami), so a little hard to import into DS :-)

If that's the kind of anime look you want, then IMHO it's not easy to pull off with Daz's characters. (Which seems like a bit of a missed opportunity)

TimberWolf said:

You absolutely can do it the way you've suggested. Delete everything but the door, then bring back the original model and delete just the door on that so that you now have two separate objects. The easiest way to 'rig' it is then to add a null and move it to the hinge point of the door and parent the door mesh to that.

You *can* do it that way but it is hugely time consuming and there's a fair chance you'll miss some polygons in the process. Repeating for four doors, a tailgate, a hood and whatever else you want to manipulate is soul destroying!

Export it as an .obj for Blender with a scale of 1%. Switch to Blender and import. Select the mesh and simply follow the image. Export back to Studio as a Collada file. This will preserve the UVs and material groups etc. The time consuming bit here is rebuilding all the separate parts into groups, depending on how complex the exploded mesh is.

If all you want to do is manipulate one door then what you're doing is probably the quickest way. If it's the tip of the iceberg in terms of parts you want to separate then getting to grips with some of the basics of Blender is worthwhile and it will only take you about 10 minutes to do so...

Wow! That's a neat little trick! That could really come in handy. But there's 4007 separate parts now. Maybe I'll just try to do this in Blender. Haha!  

You absolutely can do it the way you've suggested. Delete everything but the door, then bring back the original model and delete just the door on that so that you now have two separate objects. The easiest way to 'rig' it is then to add a null and move it to the hinge point of the door and parent the door mesh to that.

You *can* do it that way but it is hugely time consuming and there's a fair chance you'll miss some polygons in the process. Repeating for four doors, a tailgate, a hood and whatever else you want to manipulate is soul destroying!

Export it as an .obj for Blender with a scale of 1%. Switch to Blender and import. Select the mesh and simply follow the image. Export back to Studio as a Collada file. This will preserve the UVs and material groups etc. The time consuming bit here is rebuilding all the separate parts into groups, depending on how complex the exploded mesh is.

If all you want to do is manipulate one door then what you're doing is probably the quickest way. If it's the tip of the iceberg in terms of parts you want to separate then getting to grips with some of the basics of Blender is worthwhile and it will only take you about 10 minutes to do so...