I'm looking for some more ethnic varieties for genesis 2.

I've found good models for American/most European, East Asian, Indian Indian, and African/African American in the DAZ store.

I'm looking for a good way to make the following ethnics in genesis 2

American Indian
Hispanic - Spanish, Mexican, Central American, South American
Germanic and Russian
Central Asian - High Himalayan, Tibetan, Mongolian

Any ideas on how to make people of these ethnic styles using genesis 2?

Skins and morphs.

Someone at DAZ Central seems to have forgotten something today. Since the store redesign, we've never had a proper permanent link to things like the special-events sale page, the Fastgrab, etc. that aren't considered "proper" store pages, all we get are slots in the rotating whirligig banner.

Guess what, DAZ... today, all of the custom banner slots are pointing to their own special event pages. None of them point to the Happy HolliDAZ page. It's way past time to consider a solution to this — it was mentioned, I think, a grand total of twice in the forum threads discussing and bugfixing the new store, but nothing was ever settled. Time for that now.

thanks KaribousBoutique and MelanieL for your comments

@KaribousBoutique ¡what dedication! Doing them all in one fell swoop. And you must be psychic. My first render of the hare patrol had them using a straight razor to shave the men on the run, but i switched to netting them first for the safety factor.

@icecrmn #6 That girl looks cold sitting on that cold marble. I m thinking of a central park although maybe not NYC. Like the reflections! Good one!

Pull:
Country Cottage Expansion 3 - roofs (runtime DNA) deja vu
Barbarian Lord for Freak
Old Beach Pavilion
M3 Reduced Resolution Textures

Gopherus #6
All My Exes Came From Texas...

"Do you mean to say that all your exes came from Texas just to give you away?"
"Well, No. Actually the only ones who came were those who couldn t wrangle Super Bowl tickets in Glendale.
And what they said was that they wanted to meet the fool who seemed to want to join their group.
And to test him for his worthiness."

(edited to fix the hole in the roof. oops!)

smurph9 said:

Here's a second draft - I tried to show a bit more of the emotion as suggested, and framed more around the people than the background...still not happy with the lighting and haven't figured out how to 'grime' the characters up more. Dollygirl is right: they look like they just stepped out of the shower to put their rags on. Any advice/comments/kind-hearted-humorous-remarks welcomed.

Yes much better on the interactions and moving the focus to your central characters. What do you not like about your lighting? What is it that you want to do? Right now you have a bright sunny day type lighting which is good.

As for how to grunge up your characters. There are three ways you can go:

Buy your grunge http://www.daz3d.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=grunge

Use the Layered Image Editor http://docs.daz3d.com/doku.php/artzone/pub/software/lie/reference/lie_using To access the editor you will need to go to the surface tab, select the surface you want to add grunge to, go to the Diffuse parameter, click on the down arrow in the image box, at the top about the fourth item down there will be Layered Image Editor... Click on this and it will open up a window. The link above explains how to use it.

Pull your textures into a graphics program and layer some grunge brush strokes. Save this out as a new texture and apply in the Diffuse Color. Here are some free brushes for Photoshop and I think gimp can read them as well: http://dotcave.com/freebies/grunge-brushes-for-photoshop/

As for some more suggestions if I were working on this picture I would have the angel guide with his hands. I would also see what kind of vehicle I could come up with to represent the donkey in the scene. A beat up motor bike would be pretty cool. I would also add some more larger trash elements such as rusty barrels, rusted out cars and such. I would also make Joe's hand touch Mary's back.
These are just suggestions. Looking forward to seeing what you do.

.....hexagon had a command to rotate (scale etc.) simultaneously more faces respect to an axis (axis of each single face) and not only with reference to a central axis of the group.
Sorry for my bad English.....

:-)

...I've had requests for my Leela character but I have similar feelings about releasing her or even the settings I use, considering I have been developing and refining her over several years from Gen 4 (when there were no teen characters) to the current G2 version.

She is also the central character for a story I am working on.

Gopherus #3 : Very creative usage of a weird pull!
icecrmn #3 : Very nice render, cool story, love it!
luci45 #4 : Beautiful luck, just beautiful!
Zawarkal #1 : Very strange and great, I think the term is artistic!
Fobok1 #1 : Very nice usage of the items pulled.
icecrmn #4 : Looking really great!
Gopherus #4 : Wow, that was a really great one!
Ken OBanion #2 : You really have highschool themes now, and your stories are always so twisted, love it!
luci45 #5 : Nice retreat to the cartoon solution for weird prop pulls, and a great one!
MelanieL #2 : Another really great one from you, so busy!

Tag: Totte#5

Totte said:

#744 Central Pump Station (#14968)
#2887 M43 Field Cap (Rendo)
#5711 Zaid (#12573)
#2882 M4 Tuxedo (#7992)
LB1 #808 CitizenX (#15745)
LB2 #3216 Morphing Booty Bag (Rendo)

Also Used:
Mr Radish: M4 + Debonair for M4 Tuxedo + (M43 Field Cap, M4 Tuxedo & Zaid)
Foreman: Genesis + Kumar + Wicked Wear Future + DLD metallic Shaders
Mutant: (CitizenX) + Spartacus MAT + Four Arms + Esidor Hair + Short order cook + B Movie Cook
Liquid Pack
ART Toxic
Urban Decay Shaders
Techno Town
FT-30
Toys from different sets
Gummy SSS Shader on train

The toy factory accident
Mr. Radish: What happened here? Why have you stopped the production?
Foreman: One of the workers came in contact with the plastic we use, and look, he mutated, I think this is unhealthy
Mr. Radish: You screwed up, you cover this up. The western world holidays is your most important business, now start it up again.

From EP
Hi Bunyip, I hope I don't come across as dismissive to your suggestions, it is not the intent.

The first thing I will point out, is that generally my goal is not hyper-realism, but rather a stylized realism.

Living in North-Central Wisconsin, I have life experience with most types of snow and ice in all different lighting conditions. I also have quite the library of photos of different snow events. I appreciate the time it took to get the references. ............

Hello EP

Was wondering if my suggestions was like trying to sell ice to the Eskimo's.
(Something that might now happen with the Arctic polar ice-cap decreasing)

My comments when made are usually asking a question - more along the lines of have you thought about doing this ????
An old engineer many years ago said to me - "Don't come to me with problems, come to me with solutions"
Initially I was a bit miffed, but after some very interesting life experiences I greatly value those words now.
As such just checking that you know what you want and what you want to do.

I am more of a realism freak for my landscapes, but everything else it depends on what fits with the scene intended.

Hello JoeMamma2000 & MDO2010

I love quality photographs and use them as inspiration for starters and am now using them as texture bases for shaders.

In addition to photographs another idea I use is to have a sketch-pad and pencil nearby, then doodle/sketch thoughts
or ideas when I am thinking about them. Something everyone into graphic art (2D & 3D) should consider.
Don't worry if your sketches are just stick-men with notes, it's all about capturing the concept for later work.

Still have some old sketches I did when I was a kid that have somehow survived being "filed" in the rubbish bin.
Wish some more of my Sci-Fi stuff had survived.

Had a few days off from Carrara, back into the fun stuff tomorrow !!!!!!!
(Was going to get back into it today but was recruited as a "taxi-driver" - then could not get back into my creative mind-set)

Everyone keep up the great work. Hope there's a few more late-chargers as well.

Regards, Bunyip

TAG:MelanieL#2

Market Gardening

Their new villa delighted the members of the Threapworth family in many ways:
Mistress Threapworth was delighted with the central location and convenient local shopping.
Master Threapworth was delighted with the promise of a good income from the attached market garden.
Their daughter Cassie was delighted with the rather fit young men who worked there.

MelanieL said:

And my Pull #2:
418 = Medieval Bundle 1 (= Medieval Tavern, Medieval Market, Medieval City)
1109 = Garden of Galahad
29 = Hiro 4 Realistic Textures
1981 = Regency Cottage

Hmm, another excess of buildings!

TAG:MelanieL#2

Market Gardening

Their new villa delighted the members of the Threapworth family in many ways:
Mistress Threapworth was delighted with the central location and convenient local shopping.
Master Threapworth was delighted with the promise of a good income from the attached market garden.
Their daughter Cassie was delighted with the rather fit young men who worked there.

Also Used:
Gardeners (Hiro 4 Realistic shape) - Glyn Hair, Cuffed Tail Hair, Gabriel Hair, Slicer (pants), Lord of Battles (tunic)
Spades and forks - Potting Shed and Tools
Girl at the Cottage - FW Cassie, Xylia Double French Braids 2, Sighni Dress with Adal texture, Medieval Fantasy Accessories
Market Folk - Lorenzo LoRez, Loretta LoRez, Dress for Loretta LoRez (ShareCG freebie by illkirch)
Advanced Ambient Light, Advanced Distant Light

Bunyip02 said:

evilproducer said:

So, here's what I've come up with. I have two angles that I like, but I haven't decided which one I will enter. Any feedback would be appreciated. Both are raw renders.

Hello EP

I like the set-out of the second picture.
Is it possible to add just a bit/fraction of texture to the snow in the foreground ?
Don't know if it will make it look "wrong" or if it will give it a "wow" factor but there's only one way to find out.

A question about the icicles (bearing in mind I have lived in a warmer environment for most of my life), should they be a fraction more translucent ? ( I assume there would be quite a difference between "deep-freeze-your walnuts off" weather and "spring-thaw" weather )

Also would the ferns near the base of the rocks look better with a slight coating of snow ?

Refer the attached photo for icicles ( photo by kconnors DSCFWINT00015.jpg - at morgueFile free photos )
kconnors has a number of photos that may be of help (especially if you are after textures for your shaders), also do a search for icicle as well as snow.
http://www.morguefile.com/archive#/?q=icicle&sort=pop&photo_lib=morgueFile
http://www.morguefile.com/archive#/?q=snow&sort=pop&photo_lib=morgueFile

Regards, Bunyip

The first thing I will point out, is that generally my goal is not hyper-realism, but rather a stylized realism.

Living in North-Central Wisconsin, I have life experience with most types of snow and ice in all different lighting conditions. I also have quite the library of photos of different snow events. I appreciate the time it took to get the references. The example image below shows ice buildup along the shore of Lake Superior. Lake ice is different than what you may get in other circumstances, however I have old-school, non digitized photos of run-off based ice flows from the Hidden Valleys area of Wisconsin that look very similar, less the chunks. You can see some similarities to the shader I made, except for the dirty streaks.

Regarding the ferns, a lot depends on the surface material, the type of snow, and a whole host of conditions related to time and place, so the ferns wouldn't necessarily be snow covered. They would be flexible enough to bend under the weight, creating a steep angle, and shedding the snow, then they would spring back. Of course, the heavier and wetter the snow, and the longer the dead plant has to endure the freeze thaw cycle, the more likely the plant would stay covered. In my image, the pine needles in the trees have captured and held onto the snow, which means it is the light and fluffy variety with large airy flakes. This is a cold, dry snow without much wind to break the flakes up as it falls vertically to the ground. More sheltered ferns would have little or no snow on them.

The mass of snow on the ground is fairly dense, so observable refraction wouldn't likely occur unless you were looking at a backlit drift, and then it would be a subsurface scattering look rather than a straight up refraction. If the snow is new enough and the angle is right, you will see sparkles from the top layer of snow flakes. Normally, on a cold, brightly lit day, the glare of reflected light from the snow washes out the sparkles and many details. Think snow blindness.

Another book cover featuring EE Eternal Sands ...

blurb:

The Gilded Empire: A magical empire so ancient it's name has been forgotten to the mist of time. Its citizens believe they are in their golden age, but already the rot is showing underneath the gold veneer.

The Mage Chronicles: A mage level healer, Mary is unprepared when the Council of Mages wants her to intervene in a border dispute in a distant part of the empire. What does she know of nobility or war? Not one to back down, she must confront the harsh realities of life outside the central core, a legion of unstoppable warriors and the ghosts of her own past.

Kyoto Kid said:

...strange storm. Lots of wind but no rain and actually stayed pretty clear over the city most of the day. Usually windstorms at this time of year are accompanied by heavy persistent rain. Seems the rain clouds have been unable to make it over the West Hills

Major gusts recorded, including 67 mph at at the airport, 71 mph in Newberg just southwest of the city, and 89 mph out on the central Oregon coast. So far no damage in the local neighbourhood though the lights have flickered a couple times. On the West side over 40,000 homes lost power, and the light rail tram has experienced service disruptions system wide due to power outages and debris on the tracks.

Wind still howling out there but should subside in a couple hours.

If the Wicked Witch of the West blows by, run for it! :ahhh:

Kyoto Kid said:

...strange storm. Lots of wind but no rain and actually stayed pretty clear over the city most of the day. Usually windstorms at this time of year are accompanied by heavy persistent rain. Seems the rain clouds have been unable to make it over the West Hills

Major gusts recorded, including 67 mph at at the airport, 71 mph in Newberg just southwest of the city, and 89 mph out on the central Oregon coast. So far no damage in the local neighbourhood though the lights have flickered a couple times. On the West side over 40,000 homes lost power, and the light rail tram has experienced service disruptions system wide due to power outages and debris on the tracks.

Wind still howling out there but should subside in a couple hours.

so that's where all the wind went :lol:

...strange storm. Lots of wind but no rain and actually stayed pretty clear over the city most of the day. Usually windstorms at this time of year are accompanied by heavy persistent rain. Seems the rain clouds have been unable to make it over the West Hills

Major gusts recorded, including 67 mph at at the airport, 71 mph in Newberg just southwest of the city, and 89 mph out on the central Oregon coast. So far no damage in the local neighbourhood though the lights have flickered a couple times. On the West side over 40,000 homes lost power, and the light rail tram has experienced service disruptions system wide due to power outages and debris on the tracks.

Wind still howling out there but should subside in a couple hours.

Pull #5
#744 Central Pump Station (#14968)
#2887 M43 Field Cap (Rendo)
#5711 Zaid (#12573)
#2882 M4 Tuxedo (#7992)
LB1 #808 CitizenX (#15745)
LB2 #3216 Morphing Booty Bag (Rendo)

Please remember that Support for products brought through the DAZ 3D store is done through the help system and Zendesk.

This is part of the package sold here, which protects both the vendor and the purchaser:- guaranteed support.

This is one of the reasons why vendors choose to use a Company like DAZ 3D (and other such similar sites) to sell their products. There is one central support system which means the vendors are thus free to use their time producing other great products rather than having to spend their time answering every query that is asked about a product.

Misty Whisky said:

good for a giggle https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=leSQsdnEUjk

michael row the boat ashore
fa la la la

This is where we post entries, and entries only.

Entries should be tagged with a tag, have name, and also, if fit, have a little descriptive text of at most 6 lines, no novels, just a short text.

Example:

Tag: Jen#1
I so want to ge a new prop
Here I am, locked into the prop central of the PC and all I see is old and dusty stuff in need of cleaning.

OK, you got it.

Another thing to keep in mind when posing is Gravity. When you look at how someone stands its all about distributing weight along an axis of gravity. Each stance will have a dominant foot which is holding the majority of the persons weight and from that point there will be a central axis leading through the body. If an arm is raised the rest of the body will need to adjust to compensate for the weight change. Keeping this in mind will help to add realism to creating poses.