Old Mausoleum (Orestes Graphics)
Orestes Bushes Vol 1 (Orestes Graphics)
Weathered Gravestones (Orestes Graphics)
Rocks N Drops Fantasy Scene Kit (Predatron / Diane)
Rocks N Drops 2 Texture Add-On Set (Predatron / Diane)
Easy Environments: Road To Hell (Flipmode)

http://www.daz3d.com/old-mausoleum
http://www.daz3d.com/orestes-bushes-vol-1
http://www.daz3d.com/weathered-gravestones
http://www.daz3d.com/rocks-n-drops-fantasy-scene-kit
http://www.daz3d.com/rocks-n-drops-2-texture-add-on-set
http://www.daz3d.com/easy-environments-road-to-hell

Check out the bundle. http://www.daz3d.com/oak-hill-cemetery-bundle

Well, experimenting. The background is from the Rocks N Drops, the dead trees are from Road To Hell. I am basically lighting and testing the tombstones, as there are over 20 in the set- they are interesting, to say the least. There of course isn't near enough ground plane to accommodate all of them so quite a bit of scaling is required.

I changed the ambient and the diffuse on the backdrop as there really wasn't one that was dark enough to fit the lighting. The lights are all dark gray to dark blue gray. I dimmed down the main key light and brought up the two distant lights' intensities. I wanted the graves to be the focus, with just a hint of the mausoleum steps. However, will play and increase the overall lighting.

There will be more shrubs and trees behind the wall (which isn't completed, but not needed for the camera view) to make the scene. Also will need to add leaves and stuff to the ground.

Click to enlarge/click again.

Orestes Graphics said:

Velvet Goblin said:

I definitely appreciate you supporting Poser, too. I have quite a few of your sets -- they are truly unique.

I picked up The Vaults during the sale. I LOVE construction sets. And these are great to play with.

But can I ask you for one favor? I always render with IDL, and with ambient occlusion on the nodes, it makes the render time astronomical. For a long time I couldn't figure out why I couldn't get my machine (an i4770k Haswell quad core) to get past even the IDL calculation phase for a *single* prop from the set. When I looked closely at the materials, I noticed that the ambient occlusion on the materials had the "evaluate in IDL checkbox" checked. It took a couple of hours to remove those nodes from every single material in the set and resave the props. I did it, however, because I love your work, and the set is wonderful to play with. But, man, I'm hoping that I don't have to do it again. (I know that there is probably a python script out there to remove occlusion nodes, but I don't know if it's been updated for Poser 2014). So, pretty please? In future, leave the checkbox unchecked? Or, if you have time, make a preset to change the materials?

For a while, I wondered whether the modelling was the issue because the sets are very detailed, with modelled stones even. But it's not that. Now they render LIKE A DREAM! And the detailed modelling definitely pays off.

Edit: PS, those are the best torch props ever. The fire looks great. It shows some coals burning and even smoke. I use them in renders that don't include the vaults. In every medieval render, actually. I love details like this. They really make a difference.

Ok. I never stopped to think about that. I very rarely render with IDL in Poser because as you said it takes soooo long. I just thought that was the way it was. lol I usually just light it with a very dim IBL and that usually does the trick. Never thought that it had to do with the nodes. I'll do some fiddling with that myself, and yes, leave them unchecked for now on!!

I guess you learn something new every day. lol

And thank you about the torches. All my future fires will be like that for now on. I was getting so sick of just using the flat 2d plane, these work much better. And if a scrolling texture is applied, it will even animate very convincing!

Thanks!
-David

I love IDL, but it does take a bit longer. When you turn on IDL it will automatically override ambient occlusion on nodes -- unless that checkbox is checked that forces it to consider the AO -- because IDL, well, includes its own AO. There may be reasons to use AO and IDL together for special effects (like using the ray bias settings in AO to make dirt), but you'd pay the price in render time. :) But, yes, if you want lightning fast renders, AO nodes are the way to go, so it's a good idea to include them for people (as you do), especially since I think most people don't use IDL. Just don't force them when IDL is on and it's all good.

I like to use IDL and put an ambient or translucent node on the flames and then add a 4-6% intensity flame colored point light (with inverse square attenuation) just above the flames. This makes your torches look truly fantastic because the light only extends as far as flames really would, so in a dark room, the torches stand out against the dark parts that aren't lit. So, yeah -- love the torches because they really get emphasized in my renders.

This is part of why I love your other sets -- like the Necropolis or the Nameless Place -- because they are really big, and when I play with the lights and/or depth cue and atmosphere settings, they look super creepy and there are lots of places for monsters to hide. :) At the same time, the parts that are lit have very good details.

And thanks! Definitely great to see vendors who are responsive.

Thanks Vaskania, and Orestes Graphics. I'm certainly going to try that! =-)

SpottedKitty said:

Orestes Graphics said:

As for the The yellow leaves, they do look like that. I figured it would be fine as they'd mostly be in the background. They look a bit hexagonal because the don't use a transparency map, I tried to avoid them everywhere I could.

That means I'd have to take them out of every one of the Estate Grounds ground tiles I use, then, because on looking again at the promos they stand out like sore thumbs, many of them in the foreground. Here's a quick scene I put together (background and lights from Easy Environments).

That looks very good! Don't forget that there are brown textures for the leaves also. In the Materials folder there are presets for fall colors and brown.

Orestes Graphics said:

As for the The yellow leaves, they do look like that. I figured it would be fine as they'd mostly be in the background. They look a bit hexagonal because the don't use a transparency map, I tried to avoid them everywhere I could.

Hi, I picked up the future tech brush set here: http://www.daz3d.com/future-tech-brushes

In the promo art, there was a subtle grid used as background fill which looks like stripes. I'm is also used in the second promo image. This looks very good and is one of the reasons I picked up the set... But I don't see a brush that can do this or a brush which can make the red geometric pattern surrounding the holographic computer image?

Just curious if I'm missing something...

Thanks

Just saw and purchased the Oak Hill Cemetery Bundle and can't wait to play. Perfect for seasonal renderings. Thank you, again. Dani

I'm kind of bummed the men's content isn't eligible for a punch. I haven't made even tier one for two weeks. Yeah, I know, stop whining, but I'd like to have the extra percentage and the coupon. =-)

I do like the hair and the figure. I don't tend to render fantasy images so don't need more barbarian/conan style outfits. I have enough I have never used.

I picked up the poses. Dual wield is interesting, and useful for different types of weapons.

I also picked up the Protohive by Orestes Graphics. This is an interesting little location with 3 textures. And if you have rock shaders you can make your own caves, and hide elements like the ribs to give it a more natural cave look.

PA Sale is running on all cylinders now, and there's no shortage of new and interesting products hitting the shelves, plus some interesting promo art to look at. I particularly like Orestes Graphics Crates and Barrels promo, cause it just so darn detailed. Sometimes a promo just has to trigger an idea of how you, as an artist, could put the content to use. These do it. These props are also part of a larger set bundle with plenty of images to take a look at. There's lots of possibilities with the rowboat too.

http://www.daz3d.com/new-releases/orestes-barrels-n-crates
http://www.daz3d.com/new-releases/old-rowboat

Orestes Graphics said:

Vaskania said:

Hah! Darn! Was hoping to keep you locked in the basement pumping out goodies day and night. You'd be fed, of course. ;)

Well, that's not any different than now....is there a window in the basement? Whats the food like? lol

It's artficial sun by way of a heat lamp, think of a giant snake's cage. Feel free to hang a poster of the outdoors if you wish.

The food isn't bad. Nobody's died from eating it...

Yet.

Orestes might not realize that Daz dynamics are proprietary and not any obj can be used like in Poser.

Check the What's Included tab: http://www.daz3d.com/the-underdocks-bundle

The title bar/tab of the cobwebs product page is also incorrect.

thd777 said:

Frank0314 said:

I'm not seeing an issue. Which products are you referring to?

I would assume that Kharma was referring to the fact that "Today's New Releases" are also listed under "Yesterdays Items" (For example Nox Aeterna, Dropship, Fallen Poses and The Vaults).
TD

Yes those are the ones showing in both taday and yesterday, I thought at first one was maybe a poser version and one a DS but that doesn't seem the case so wondered why showing for both plus some new ones..orestes cobwebs is showing also for me in today and yesterday. Just looks confusing......

Hi,
I just purchased Orestes Cobwebs and can't figure out how to drape the cloth. It doesn't appear to be dynamic or am I missing something. I'm sure I'm just not thinking clearly and it is quite simple but the method seams to elude me at the moment. Sorry for the dumb question but draping fabric is not my strong suit. Thanks in advance.

A few things to note if you're shopping the featured stores:

http://www.daz3d.com/orestes-graphics/ruins-of-h-trakram
has nice stone tables and chairs. That one slipped by me. I don't like the gold but hopefully those are separate material zones.

http://www.daz3d.com/orestes-graphics/decor-de-claux
also has a bed and dresser- all with those claws!

http://www.daz3d.com/orestes-graphics/temple-of-arklops
goes well with that Decor De Claux set.

http://www.daz3d.com/ignisserpentus/portals-of-power-serpentem-portae
Although it shows a rotunda pavilion you also get a square columned entry too. Check out the thumbnails

http://www.daz3d.com/ignisserpentus/dreams-and-reality
30 backgrounds, and if you're a Poser user, it includes 30 lightsets for Poser

still cruising through. Any that you'd like to mention, feel free to do so.

Wow, a lot of nice stuff since I was here last. Novica, you genie contest render is a hoot! Sasje and MelanieL, nice renders! Almost tempting me to buy stuff I don't need,

I got the Gardens of Poseidon Super Bundle when Orestes Graphics was 60%. With my $6 coupon it was $20! I haven't done any underwater stuff, but those plants looked so beautiful I couldn't resist.

I am hopefully ready for the big PA sale. Just bought a nice gift certificate. ;-) I hope it was for enough. I am going to try to restrain myself this year. LOL.

Dani and Marforno are having a birthday sale (at Rero too) - but the 65% only show at the Artist store page, not the individual store pages ...

70%:
http://www.daz3d.com/xilia78
http://www.daz3d.com/xp-pointblank
60%
http://www.daz3d.com/orestes-graphics

Rashad Carter said:

There's just one itsy-bitsy gigantically huge problem with this ideal. The spin is somewhat of a lie. It is my opinion that the people behind the scenes at Daz dont actually use the software they sell, aside from Daz Studio.Not really a lie... well, actually... not a lie at all.
Nowhere do they state that you should buy Carrara because they use it. However, I do know that a lot more people than you'd think at DAZ 3D, even those whom have nothing to do with content or software creation, have used Carrara and find it to be pretty cool.
But either way, who really cares if DAZ 3D officials use Carrara? "I" want to use Carrara.
Those assigned to work on the development of Carrara know Carrara quite well - inside and out.
Those assigned to Test my Products at DAZ 3D all are quite well-versed in Carrara. They'll even notice if some objects modifiers have slightly different values than others that look to be similar, and will ask the PA if this is intentional. They'll invite smoothing on something that doesn't have it, etc., even if our answer is "no". But I can tell when communicating with these folks that they certainly know how to use Carrara. My boss at DAZ 3D really doesn't have to touch Carrara. But he does, and he loves it!

Rashad Carter said:

Why should Daz expect people to build content in Carrara when they themselves don't even use Carrara for building content? Was Genesis modeled in Hexagon or Carrara? Nope.
A - because it's incredibly fun, efficient, full-powered, and since Carrara 8.5 works very well for making additional figures that work beautifully with their DAZ Studio Pro Content Creation System.

B - to further place Carrara onto the 3D platform map, where it belongs... not hiding behind a blind-spot.

C - because they know at least hundreds of artists, professional and casual, whom use Carrara as their main 3D Application. After all, the company that sells Carrara knows best how many registered users they have.

D - it's incredibly Fun!

Rashad Carter said:

Have ANY of the figures sold here been created in Carrara or Hexagon?

Hard to say, because Carrara and Hexagon can output OBJs with just as high of quality as the most expensive piece of software available. DAZ 3D has no restriction, suggestions, or preferences as to which tools we use - they just want high quality work.

Do you ever see Carrara landscapes or Bryce landscapes rendered by any of the Daz staff other than moderators who arent even staff members? Even when they have the preview threads about new characters in the Commons or Members Only, do you often see sample renders made in Bryce or in Hexagon? No. Do you see Daz making an effort to promote PA's who actively utilize Daz software for making content? No. Does Stonemason use Carrara for his models....doubt it. Does Mec4D use any Daz software for creating her amazing content? Probably not.

Yes I have, and do. DAZ 3D employees and published artists are quite excellent with Carrara - some of them. And why not? It's got to be the absolute easiest 3d application to learn anywhere!

Here is a cool Carrara animation that Mec4D did. One of the first things she's ever done with Carrara, as she almost never uses it. But that still doesn't really mean anything as to why DAZ 3D should consider developing Carrara, except for the fact that someone can turn it on, quickly set up a camera movement on a simple-to-make scene, and render it out on a mediocre system - but even better on a good one!

The fact that Stonemason included an complete set of Carrara shaders for This Product is testament that Stephan at least considers the idea of using Carrara, if not for himself, for his customers.

In fact, can anyone name a single PA who exclusively uses Daz3d applications solely for creating content that will eventually be sold?

+ others, as well as some future DAZ PAs that are currently working on their products.

I've said this countless times before:
Carrara is incredibly capable, quite easy to learn, comparatively speaking, and is enormously feature-rich with tools, features, example content, and that DAZ 3D is ALWAYS on the lookout for new talent!
YOU can become a DAZ 3D PA using Carrara, quite easily.
Here's how:

1 - Make some scenes in Carrara - get to know the interface and the tools

2 - work on original assets that you can call your own - even if you use the presets to help you get there

3 - come up with an idea that you think other people might be interested in buying

4 - Go to DAZ 3D's helpful and inviting Publishing Documentation and look into the types of files and submission guidelines (and ideas) presented there - nobody like to have their time wasted by stuff that just isn't prepared properly.

5 - When you're ready, and would like to present your idea, the above link has a contact link that will get you in touch with whom will become your new DAZ 3D agent if you're accepted as a DAZ 3D published artist.

I can think of no better 3D application that I'd like to represent and back up with proof that it's the brilliant app for everyone interested in getting involved in the realms of 3d!

Here's a quick example shot of nothing in particular that I just made as I typed this post. I loaded a preset from my EnvironKits - Badlands product, which is not only made directly in Carrara, it is made up of only Carrara assets, with the exception of several texture maps included in the shaders, so they load amazingly fast, even though they provide a complete 3d 360 degree scene massive enough to use as a film stage for nearly any project. All of the items provided in any of my Carrara kits are easy to make in Carrara. Why buy them then? Because they offer immediate backgrounds with complete, well-thought-out lighting and camera solutions, effects, and render quickly.

To get the lighting on the cliffs like that - I just selected the sun light and rotated it around to the direction and altitude angle that I needed, which is so easy to do in Carrara!
For added effect on the weird glass thingy that I quickly sculpted from a 3d cube, I cranked up the artificial indirect lighting rig's lights and gave them some saturated color. I also grabbed all of the terrain and moved it closer and rotated it around to get my creation into the pit that it's in. Finally I added the vertex object (Glass Thingy) to the Focus Group for POP lighting. But I could also have turned of the Fake GI rig altogether and just used the sun light and Carrara's cool global illumination system. But I like tinkering too much to do that!

I cranked open my collection of Ringo's Digital Painter's Shaders and toss a few onto my object, duplicated on of the volumetric clouds and spun it into place and, for added kicks, since I turned up the reflectivity of the glass shaders a bit, I turned on Caustics and shot the render at the otherwise simple and fast default render settings that ship with Badlands. The whole scene, including render time, modeling, tweaking, and thinking up what I wanted to do took a little over an hour and a half - and it was quite fun, I assure you.

I cannot think of another 3d software application that is quite as fun as well as being so dog-gone limitless in what you can use it to create! Cripeman just put up another video talking about just good ol' fonts! I was planning a video tutorial on that aspect as well. If you know how to collect fonts (or not) you can make complex models simply using the text modeler!

Mermaid Genesis 2 Female(s) (Sickleyield / Fuseling)
FW Merfolk (FWArt)
FW Naida and Nalin (FWArt)
Mermaid Clothes Genesis 2 Females(s) (Sickleyield / Fuseling)
UltruMarine Ocean (Marshian)
Regina Malorum Hair (IgnusSerpentus)
Hard Liquor for Regina Malorum Hair (IgnusSerpentus)
Defenders of the Deep For Genesis 2 Female(s) (Feral Fey)
Multiplane Cyclorama (DAZ3D)
Heart of the Ocean For Multiplane Cyclorama (DAZ3D / LaurieS)
Gardens of Poseidon- Reef Rocks (Orestes Graphics)

http://www.daz3d.com/mermaid-genesis-2-female-s
http://www.daz3d.com/fw-merfolk
http://www.daz3d.com/fw-naida-and-nalin
http://www.daz3d.com/mermaid-clothes-genesis-2-female-s
http://www.daz3d.com/ultrumarine-ocean
http://www.daz3d.com/regina-malorum-hair
http://www.daz3d.com/hard-liquor-for-regina-malorum-hair
http://www.daz3d.com/defenders-of-the-deep-for-genesis-2-female-s
http://www.daz3d.com/multiplane-cyclorama
http://www.daz3d.com/heart-of-the-ocean-for-the-multiplane-cyclorama
http://www.daz3d.com/gardens-of-poseidon-reef-rocks

These aren't full scenes (with coral, seaweed, etc) because I just wanted to test the Heart of the Ocean scene for Multiplane Cyclorama. It has several scenes. I wish the large ship anchor wasn't smack dab in the way though, I would have like that scene without it (so didn't use it.) One thing I wanted to point out is the lighting included on the background plane which is fake, can easily be lined up with the lighting from the UltruMarine product, as I did in the render. I did use the Gardens of Poseidon Reef Rocks.

Second, was testing the Regina Malorum Hair for floatiness- it does quite well- but remember to turn up smoothing to get rid of the crinkles. (I didn't, these are test renders.) You can't hardly see the hair in the first render, so with that Multiplane Cyclorama you might consider lighter hair colors or put the hair in the blue water part by the dolphins. So the second test render I put the hair out in the water.
With that hair, it's pretty much blowing back or left and right, the strands do separate a bit.

On the first render, click to enlarge and look at the scales on the outstretched arm and her tummy. That is really neat and is from Merfolk.

EDIT: You can make the tail one color, I put it in two colors because I was testing the "bends" and wanted to see what two colors would look like. Just playing around.

I just have to point out something adorable for all the Aiko 3 fans- and I've wishlisted this for the next time there is a get 30.00 and get $5 off (because this vendor never goes on sale.) Little Keiko the mermaid is so cute, includes the character, leg poses, and other options.
http://www.daz3d.com/keiko-the-little-mermaid

KaribousBoutique said:

Stupid DAZ site with it's stupid 1AM "uploading everything to the store, so the entire site stops working." I hope this counts!!

KaribousBoutique said:

Last pull!! I can do this!!

4017 LITTLE TRIP for Far Journeyer, (outoftouch), RR
4554 Modern Lawnmower, (Valandar), DAZ
4890 NightHawkTextureExp, (Anna Benjamin, Sarsa), DAZ
429 April Hair, (Propschick), DAZ

A lawnmower?? Really?!! Arg. Let's see... DAZ is Mountain time... so, T-minus 6-and-a-half hours or so?

Oh, fine. Challenge accepted.

Also used: DM Legends (Danie, marforno), Lucifuge's Grave (Orestes Graphics), Terraluna (Mortem Vetus), Far Journeyer (MAB, WillDupre), Nighthawk for V4 (Bobbie25, Umblefugly)

Tag: KaribousBoutique #7
Title: Cutting the Graaz

The Night Elves were losing the war against their evil enemies. It would be mere days before they fell to the Graaz. In a last, desperate attempt to turn the tide, the last Sorceress chanted the sacred text... well... almost.

She had asked for a weapon that would cut down the Graaz. But she apparently didn't enunciate clearly...

Maybe they can mulch their enemies.

Hopefully it gets accepted, not every day does one's dunny just explode.