That's interesting, @Felis, thanks. Am I right, that when you cut out the things you tried but didn't work, you'd 1) autofit to G8, 2) export as obj, 3) merge vertices in a modeller and export as a new obj, 4) import the new obj into DS, 5) then convert to figure, and 6) transfer rigging from G8F? Hope I've got that right. Regards, Richard.

Daz expressions are bone-based, and they don't translate well to the facial rig in UE. What works reliably is to turn them into morph based expressions first, then export those to UE so you can drive them with curves. It's a little tedious to do, but with a few hotkeys setup, you can do it. Here's what I do:

• in Daz Studio, dial in the expression on your character
• switch character to base resolution, then export as OBJ
• reset expression
• import the OBJ with Morph Loader and create morph slider
• now enable that on the export in the Daz to Unreal bridge (or the FBX dialogue if you do it manually)
• in Unreal Engine, open the mesh and you should have curve that animates the expression

With an FK Control rig in sequencer (UE 5), you can animate it. Hope this helps!

 

Richard Haseltine said:

Taoz said:

Here's a free Windows app for easy management (save, restore) of DAZ Studio installer files:

https://3dcontentmanagers.com/software/inst-backup-ds

Just extract into a folder, and run the .exe.

Tutorial is not quite finished yet, but it currently shows how to import current files from the DIM Downloads folder, as well as how to import saved files. 

It's currently registering the files I get in DIM, can see that DrJellyBean's list contains some more files, will have to look into this when I get my render PC up running again (system disk died yesterday) and add these as well.  You can add them manually yourself by editing the "files_pub.txt" and "files_gen.txt" in the Settings folder, if you want.

I believe it can also be used for managfing files for DS5 (6?), haven't tested that yet, but you'll need to create a separate installation for that.

DIM can make backups http://docs.daz3d.com/doku.php/public/software/install_manager/change_log_1_4_0_94#1_4_0_86

I know, but this one was actually made before DIM could do that, and it does have some features DIM doesn't have which some might find useful.    

Taoz said:

Here's a free Windows app for easy management (save, restore) of DAZ Studio installer files:

https://3dcontentmanagers.com/software/inst-backup-ds

Just extract into a folder, and run the .exe.

Tutorial is not quite finished yet, but it currently shows how to import current files from the DIM Downloads folder, as well as how to import saved files. 

It's currently registering the files I get in DIM, can see that DrJellyBean's list contains some more files, will have to look into this when I get my render PC up running again (system disk died yesterday) and add these as well.  You can add them manually yourself by editing the "files_pub.txt" and "files_gen.txt" in the Settings folder, if you want.

I believe it can also be used for managfing files for DS5 (6?), haven't tested that yet, but you'll need to create a separate installation for that.

DIM can make backups http://docs.daz3d.com/doku.php/public/software/install_manager/change_log_1_4_0_94#1_4_0_86

Here's a free Windows app for easy management (save, restore) of DAZ Studio installer files:

https://3dcontentmanagers.com/software/inst-backup-ds

Just extract into a folder, and run the .exe.

Tutorial is not quite finished yet, but it currently shows how to import current files from the DIM Downloads folder, as well as how to import saved files. 

It's currently registering the files I get in DIM, can see that DrJellyBean's list contains some more files, will have to look into this when I get my render PC up running again (system disk died yesterday) and add these as well.  You can add them manually yourself by editing the "files_pub.txt" and "files_gen.txt" in the Settings folder, if you want.

I believe it can also be used for managfing files for DS5 (6?), haven't tested that yet, but you'll need to create a separate installation for that.

Yeah, it was an off business model and I had better luck retargeting import animations in Blender than Studio. Now I gotta remember how to apply FBX animations to the Mixamo G9 rig I have for Studio. Been too long. 

SnowSultan said:

Thank you for the explanation, that makes a lot of sense except I don't quite understand your solution. Are you saying to return the clothing back to Studio from Zbrush as a new object like it wants to do, then export that newly created static item as an OBJ, and then reimport it into Studio as a morph of the original posable padded coat? I'm not sure what to do next then.

Yeah, from your OP, you'd like to GoZ back the padded coat from ZBrush as a morph into DS... if I understood correctly. If that was the case, you can just:

1) Accept Create a new object for the padded coat without SubD (screen shot 1)
2) Export the object to OBJ format file (screen shot 2)
3) Import OBJ file with Edit > Figure > Shape > Morph Loader Pro... (screen shot 3)
4) Dial the morph (screen shot 4)

outthinkers_77543974b9 said:

Yes, on the sleeve, I use 0% for the pelvis influence(red). Then I switch to the right and left arm part and use 100% fill. I got it working once but, the fix doe'nt stay when I try to save it as dsf or export as object then import with Transfer utility.

You have to save the kimono as a Wearable Preset or a new Figure Asset so as to perserve the tweaked weight maps. Exporting to OBJ then re-rigging with Transfer Utility won't help ~~

But I agree with Elor... just naming what the kimono product you used would be a very shortcut ~ 

It is a matter of how the figure deformations are done. G9 G8 G3 use weightmaps similar to blender thus are imported fine. G2 G1 use triax that's not supported in blender, with Diffeomorphic they are imported with some approximation. V4 V3 use parametric weight maps, again not supported in blender. You can try to convert the figure to triax or general weight, then import in blender from there.

edit > figure > rigging > convert figure to weightmapping

Hello, I am curious is there a way to import older models like Victoria 4, and Cookie into Blender? I have tried a few ways to bring Cookie into Blender but every time she becomes static, I am unable to pose her.

XnView MP a powerful image viewer, and a freeware.

You can manage your render library with it. You can add or batch add metadata (esp. Description / Comment / links to your scene files, DUFs...) to any of your renders. Batch re-organize / re-name your render files, etc.

If an item has ngons (a polygon with more than 4 sides), ZB will converts ngons to tris, so the topology of the item will be changed. That was why you got the issue when GoZ back ~~

The padded coat you named just has ngons (a rare case indeed....). If you export it to OBJ, import OBJ to ZB, ZB will inform you about it. (or you can find ngons in Blender....)

The solution is simple, you just import it as new object in DS with GoZ. Export the object to OBJ, import OBJ with Morph Loader Pro to create morph properties.

Padone said:

 It makes animation pretty much impossible since even default morphs that are 0 seem to be calculated by DAZ whenever you make a pose adjustment. 

That is exactly why to import daz figures in blender we bake all the shape morphs and only load the morphs we need for animation. As for addressing this in daz studio, one way is to only install the assets you need for the current project, vs keeping a vast library with everything installed. Then you switch the library depending on the project. That is not optimized as a blender import, but will be much better.

p.s. Another thing to look for is how we use the library in general. For example mixing figures to get a character is way more heavy than using the basic shape morphs, or a single custom figure. In a way we also decide the complexity depending how we use the features.

That is great support for Blender export and I appreciate the information!

However, my issue and question is about native support in DAZ3D so that I can stay in the application longer or perhaps not even have to export anything out to another tool. DAZ is investing a lot of money and work into improving DAZ Studio (currently in Beta) and I was asking if they ever considered natively supporting this in the newer version of studio and if so where it is on their roadmap? I have poured over the forums looking for solutions to the issues I am having with performance and I see a lot of other folks experiencing some of the same issues (which might or might not be the same issue I am having). If there is no native support for this then DAZ Studio 2025 will have nothing to keep users from having to do things like export Genesis characters to other tools to address some of the defiencies in the core platform.

Also, it actively discourages me from wanting to purchase further morphs for Genesis 9 (and other generations) because I know with each new morph link I will be adding to the performance issue; not helping it. And I will have to start drastically cutting my morph list for the genesis generation I am working with; from a product marketing perspective this seems like a bad thing; no? There is functionality (both 1st and third-party) to assist with managing your morph library (content manager and Turbo Loader) that helps users who don't want to export their characters to another tool avoid that; so why not address the linking performance (since zero'd morphs are said to not affect performance directly) or provide a way to save a "paired-down" set of morphs for a character without having to uninstall/disable morph files? It can even be a one-way trip if they want; meaning you cannot add new morphs to the character once you break the association with the Genesis generation you are working with.

This would definately prevent this particular "problem" from generating negative experiences for their end-users. It is a win-win and they are already investing significant development resources (I assume) in the current re-write so there should be scope/capacity to atleast do a feasibility POC on this? Otherwise, tools like yours that export assets out of DAZ will be the only path forward for folks like me. I would prefer to keep my workflow in one tool for as long as possible.

But again, I appreciate the information! It is nice to see that the third-party vendors have thought of these needs and have solutions to address them (even if it is outside DAZ Studio).

 It makes animation pretty much impossible since even default morphs that are 0 seem to be calculated by DAZ whenever you make a pose adjustment. 

That is exactly why to import daz figures in blender we bake all the shape morphs and only load the morphs we need for animation. As for addressing this in daz studio, one way is to only install the assets you need for the current project, vs keeping a vast library with everything installed. Then you switch the library depending on the project. That is not optimized as a blender import, but will be much better.

p.s. Another thing to look for is how we use the library in general. For example mixing figures to get a character is way more heavy than using the basic shape morphs, or a single custom figure. In a way we also decide the complexity depending how we use the features.

morrisonmp said:

I appreciate the information. Unfortunately, "Refresh" doesn't seem to do anything when I click it. I still have to do that weird database refresh every time. As you said, I do not install while DAZ is open. 

And I figured I was just out of luck with the Lost and Found items. I understand the basics of setting up install folders and getting 3rd party items into the content library, but I do not feel technically skilled enough to monkey around too much with the "under the hood" parts of DAZ.

DIM is probably the most straightforward of all of these.  The most important thing is to make sure that DIM is set up correctly i.e. your Daz content is going to the appropriate folders and the database is in the correct location.  Click on the gear on the upper right corner and check the configurations of the installations.  Next, go to Daz studio and Daz Studio Preferences, and Content Manager, and make sure Daz Studio can see the installation locations.  When you install via DIM, Dim retrieves a zipped file, decompresses it, ideally doles out the contents to the appropriate locations such as geometry info to data, textures to Runtime>Textures>specific texture folder, sends a file to the shared Daz 3d> Install Manager>  Manifest files where DIM looks to figure out where and if a product is installed, adds files to Runtime>Support which include the product name and image, and I think lets the CMS know that this product exists in your inventory.  When the locations are wrong, this breaks down.
 
The Lost and Found is a bit more complicated. Products generally end up there because they don't have the proper metadata or broken metadata. The repair is suprisingly simple. The first thing to try is to delete and reinstall the product because sometimes the the installation garbles the metadata.  Other products such as products from other stores may have no metadata.  I suggest learning a little familiarty with selecting the lost and found item, right click on the product, edit metadata, and setting the item to be for a prop for Genesis 8 female for example.  There are endless Youtube videos on how to do this and set up DIM if you would like some visual examples.  We can supply those.  It is all reversible and shouldn't be too scary.

Yes, on the sleeve, I use 0% for the pelvis influence(red). Then I switch to the right and left arm part and use 100% fill. I got it working once but, the fix doe'nt stay when I try to save it as dsf or export as object then import with Transfer utility.

starslinger said:

Hey thanks a lot for the update! I just got around to testing it. Yes now it I can see the eyebrows in blender. They are a mesh object only? They seem to import as mesh object in blender and checking convert to hair curves doesnt convert it.

Hi @starslinger

All the time I took to re-design Sagan for v4 is paying off. Now, all the logic for figuring out what the heck a node is, is in one place and works for both Alembic and the USD that Hitchens uses. All it took was to code up "Even if the classname says it's a fiber, if you've got "faces", then it's a mesh".

Did you look in the log for any clues? I think that because, like I said, the topology of the "fiber" brows is so messed up that the conversion algorithm might be saying (paraphrasing) "there's no way that this is a strand of hair" and ignoring it.

barbult said:

leo04 said:

barbult said:

Richard Haseltine said:

Sorry, I was thinking the conversion had been done and the question was how to save it to a file. I would take features to mean shape, not expressions.

There are, I think, one or two other converters butt here is a limit to how much they can do. In what way was the one you tried disappointing? What modelling/sculpting software and skills do you have?

I think you are right about "facial features" being the shape of the face, not the expression. I'm not sure how I made that leap to expression. 

I have had excellent luck with the ManFriday converter to convert G8 to G9. I haven't tried G8.1, I don't think. The only things that need tweaking afterward are the eyes and sometimes mouth of G9, because they are separate geometry. I don't know if the ManFriday converter is still available in the store or not.

I was able to do it one time. Subsequent attempts failed. It all worked well but for the Breasts, specifically the nipples. When I put a G9 skin on the model the models nipples did not line up with the UV map so I have areolas located below the nipples. Very Fustrating!

I have never noticed that problem with the Man Friday converter, but I suppose it could possibly depend on the character shape you are converting and the skin materials you are applying. If you are only concerned about facial features, why not just save separate converted head and body morphs, and dial in only the converted head morph? You could dial in any other character's body morph(s) that you like.
I'm going to go dial in some of my converted shapes and apply a few different G9 skins and see if I ever see a mismatch like you described.

The G8.1 is a full body morph I created from an earlier Genesis model. The original facial morphs were made in the 1st Genesis Model, (#1). I converted it through several models.  I am looking at maybe taking the head off the G9 model I was able to convert and make a model out of that to import as a morph. Not entirely sure how that will work yet.

thanks. 

DAZ Install Manger SHOULD add the metadata which populates the Smart Content tab. I usually install stuff while Daz Studio is not running so perhaps there is some issue if that is not the case for you. You could try right-clicking and hitting refresh to see if that makes them show up.

Then there a separate issue where products contain uncategorised items (which get put in lost+found) or do not show up at all (tends to be the ones that were migrated from other stores in bulk). Items that are in lost+found will likely need to be manually categorised by yourself since that was not done by Daz when the product was submitted (pretty sure PAs have stated that Daz handles the Metadata not the PAs themselves).

If you login to your account with Daz Studio (either because you use the Premier features and/or Daz Connect) that can replace the paths where product icons are stored from within the /Runtime/Support folder(s) to the cloud folder. This can break some images sometimes and I don't think you can fix it easily without explictly removing the Daz Connect stuff and then re-installing with DIM.

A while back I did do some testing/QA for a potential product which would have helped users to fill in the gaps and fix issues with metadata but unfortunately it never made it to release :(

I have been using DAZ for a while now and some things are still very confusing.

1. Installation and the SmartContent Tab

1a. When I install items using the DAZ Install Manager, those items do not show up in my SmartContent tab. The only workaround that I have found is that I have to right click on the SmartContent tab and select "Content Database Management." From there I have to check Process Metadata Queue & Re-Import Metadata. Once I do that, the items will show in SmartContent (usually). This doesn't seem to be a normal problem. I have asked this question before but I hoped maybe someone might have some new thoughts/advice for me.

1b. Related to 1a, above, my SmartContent tab is a mess now. Several items are duplicated, several have missing images, and some just seem broken. I have previously done a full system wipe and re-loaded everything and this did not clear up this issue.

 

2. Does anyone know if it's possible to get items to move items from "Lost and Found" into the established categories? I have so many items that are entirely only found in my Lost and Found at this point, that it's become unmanageable.

 

The Content Library tab is so un-intuitive that I don't use it unless I have to (for 3rd party products I've installed). I know that some users create their own libraries/folder structures, but every tutorial I've watched on that process seems to say that it's not only complex but also very easy to break and make things even worse than they are now. 

Please, if you do have some advice for me, explain it like I'm a 5 year old. 

Thank you in advance for any help you can offer.