WendyLuvsCatz said:

my huge gum decided to drop a limb on my neighbours fences and damage them, I will likey be better off paying out of pocket than claiming on insurance because of my big excess

life is effing with me

the nice one is going to try and fix it himself which will help

hmm good luck.... as the tree there first?, maybe they shoumdt have built a fence under it :) No magination. 

where's a random pic??

here's background to achapter heading  rendered with carrara in 2017, I think I used a garoud pass to get the colours ?

ed3D said:

Headwax said:

Thanks Wendy and ed3D , yes all Carrara, m3 in the main from memory 

and  you"re  very  welcome  / /

:)

Headwax said:

Thanks Wendy and ed3D , yes all Carrara, m3 in the main from memory 

and  you"re  very  welcome  / /

Thanks Wendy and ed3D , yes all Carrara, m3 in the main from memory 

WendyLuvsCatz said:

that looks like an epic tapestry

+  1   well  it  certainly  looks  Epic _  cool

and  this  was  done  with  Carrara ,  then  ??  Thanx 

and there is Carrara 

Genesis 9 with a couple of tweaks works in Carrara

I used the RHS coach and Predatron's low rez horse2 in Carrara for this one I did. If that helps 

come join us MarkBremmer we are still using Carrara

I am probably rendering in DAZ Studio more unlike others here but I certainly model stuff in Carrara still

I often convert imported fibermesh hairs to polylines myself from Carrara, Zbrush and Blender which of course also cannot be simulated as we don't have the PA tool, they too don't have line tesselation 

so it's actually a third type pf hair

which also has PA exclusively as we cannot rig our own or add morphs once converted to curves

Hi All -

I recently performed a clean install of DIM (Windows 11 system), for the purpose of installing all my DAZ content on a dedicated External SSD (new drive). After performing the clean install (see steps below), DIM began experiencing issues (failed installs, DIM crashing, etc.) during DAZ product installations. Additionally, when product are installed, some are showing up as "package has no additional metadata" (see screenshot) I have had DAZ for +3 years and have never had issues like this before; they only seem to have cropped up after upgrading my OS to Windows 11 (via a clean install).

In terms of DIM failed product installs, it's occurring for roughly 15% of the products. The logs consistently show a "[WARNING] :: Extract File Failed - CRC mismatch, data likely corrupted.: F:/Daz/Users/Public/Documents/My DAZ 3D Library....." error for each failed product install.

When DIM crashes, it appears that the External SSD connection is also being affected, as the system appears to be making the typical Windows USB connect/disconnect alert sound. Based on my observation, DIM is only crashing when it's downloading and installing 200+ queued products. DIM only crashes when installing products, and doesn't crash if I just download the products.

I also have seen several "[WARNING] :: Remote Name Collision:" messages in the logs. I know that Logs will inheritantly contain warning messages, even when the issues get resolved, so this may not be related.

I have taken the following steps to resolve the issue(s), with no luck:

• Tried installing DAZ products (via DIM) with all firewalls, AV, and Windows Security disabled.
• Installed the GoDaddy Certificate
• Whitelisted all the DIM, Daz, & CMS apps in the Windows Firewall
• Created AV Scan Folder Exceptions for the DIM, Daz, PostgreSQL CMS, Carrara, & Hexagon
• Deleted the & the External Drive Daz folders

I took the following steps when clean installing DIM, with no luck:

• Uninstalled all Daz products via DIM
• Uninstalled DIM, Daz, PostgreSQL CMS, Carrara, & Hexagon
• Deleted leftover folder for DIM, Daz, PostgreSQL CMS, Carrara, & Hexagon
• Reformatted the External Drive
• Deleted the Daz Registry Key
• Restarted the Computer, prior to reinstalling DIM
• Upon initially opening the DIM (Reinstalled), I used the work offline feature to configure the Daz & DIM folder paths for:
  • F:\Daz\Users\Public\Documents\DAZ 3D\InstallManager\Downloads
  • F:\Daz\Users\Public\Documents\DAZ 3D\InstallManager\ManifestFiles
  • F:\Daz\Users\Public\Documents\DAZ 3D\InstallManager\Thumbnails
  • F:\Daz\Users\Public\Documents\My DAZ 3D Library
  • F:\Daz\Users\[MyUserName]\Documents

Thank you guys, I was struggling with this issue.
Actually, while trying to move my Carrara installations from one disk to another, I ended up without being able to open Carrara files, since the Render Node was trying to open them by itself and, on Windows 10, there was no nay to associate the .car files back to the main program.
So I believe that, at least under certain circumstances, avoiding to have the Render Node alongside the main app could prevent issues.

Step right in, step right in! We're throwing the doors wide open to the January 2026 Freebie Contest. This month is all about opening and closing doors, gates, and portals. Twinkling faery gates that lead to fantastical dimensions, welcoming doors that invite you into cozy living rooms, black holes that transport us across the universe, forbidden doors that may not be opened under any circumstances... or a portrait of Jim Morrison and "The Doors"? I'm looking forward to a revolving door of fresh ideas and creative renders!

Two more things:

Firstly, here's some freebie suggestions to get you started. No obligation to use them, but perhaps you find them helpful!
https://www.renderosity.com/freestuff/items/96337/portal-prop-for-hdri-environments
https://fantasiesrealm.com/market/vendor/summoner/magic-portal?cPath=55&;
https://www.daz3d.com/forgotten-tunnel-entrance
https://www.renderosity.com/freestuff/items/88070/entrance-daz3d-iray
https://www.renderosity.com/freestuff/items/75651/mc-e7-the-moon
https://www.renderosity.com/freestuff/items/68727/asian-wall-kit
https://www.renderosity.com/freestuff/items/76939/crypt
https://www.renderosity.com/freestuff/items/81060/props-sinister-structures
https://www.renderosity.com/freestuff/items/87514/rigged-wall-and-door-prop-corrected

Secondly, I'm presenting the rules for the freebie contest in a new way.
The rules themselves have not changed in any meaningful way, but hopefully this new presentation makes them easier to understand.
Basically, right below you will find the most important rules.
If you have further questions you can find a more thorough version of the rules attached as a PDF to this post.
Feel free to take a look... or just ask your question in this very thread, we're always happy to clarify!

So, with all that being said... the rules of the contest are:

• Your entry must be a new render, especially made for this challenge.

• Your entry must follow the DAZ TOS.

• You may enter a maximum of 4 entries.

• A minimum of five (5) Freebies must be included in your image

• All Daz Bi-Weekly Freebies are allowed throughout the entire month in which they are free, as well as the following month (for a total of 2 months).

• You may use a maximum of 5 paid items.

• Base figures (Genesis 9, Genesis 8, etc.) as well as their basic morph packs may be used as needed. They do not count as either paid items or freebies.

• DAZ Studio, Poser, Bryce, Carrara, Hexagon, and Blender are allowed.

• DAZ AI Studio is not allowed. The use of image generating AI technology (midjourney, stable diffusion, etc.) is not allowed in any form.

• Postwork is allowed. You must also include the raw render (before postwork) of your entry.

• For a more detailed version of the rules see the PDF attached to this post; or ask your question in this thread, we're always happy to clarify!

• Let's have fun and be creative with all the amazing resources that are available for free!

This contest ends on January 31st 2026.

Post your images and freebie links in this thread for link verification.
Once the links are verified, you can post your image and links in Entries Thread for judging.

First Place: $15 store credit from KindredArts
Second Place: $10 store credit from KindredArts
Third Place: $5 store credit from KindredArts

Past Freebie Contests:

January 2022 - Around and around and around...

February 2022 - Mysteries of the heart

March 2022- Luck Of The Draw

April 2022 - New Beginnings

May 2022 - Cozy Corner

June/July 2022 - The Secret Life Of...

August 2022- Sniff, sniff... what's that smell?

September 2022-Cars Cars and More Cars

October 2022 - Horror Movies

November 2022 - Thieves, Robbers, and Fraudsters all around!

December 2022 - The Night is Darkest...

January 2023 Speed Demons and Slowpokes

February 2023- I See Red

March / April 2023 Magical

May 2023 - Sweet Music

June/July 2023  Holes, Gaps, Caves, Tunnels

August 2023 Fabulous Pink

September 2023 Gardening

October 2023 Hallowed Night

November 2023 Wobble, jiggle, sway, and shake

December 2023 / January 2024 Driving Home For...

February 2024 The Glow Up

March 2024 Power Source

April/Mai 2024 Soft as Plush, Smooth as Silk

June 2024 An Octopus' Garden

July/August 2024 Take A Break

September 2024 Fake Smiles and Real Joy

October 2024 "Monster Mash '24!" 

November 2024 - Dreams

December 2024 - A Curious Christmas

January 2025 - Thank you, Saphirewild!

February 2025 - My Hallowed Valentine

March 2025 - Pride, Prejudice and other Shenanigans

April 2025 - The Little Ball of Calm

May 2025 - To Be Beautiful

June 2025 - Summer and Piracy

July 2025 - Design a Book Cover

August 2025 - Pure Cinema

September 2025 - Holiday Memories

October 2025 - Monster Mash!

November 2025 - The Winter Witch

December 2025 - Christmas!

they always seem to get plenty of entries in their challenges..

good luck ~ waving the Carrara flag 

my entry is #53 I think... 

I wonder if 2026 will see a Mega Sale for Carrara ... hmmm 

Till it does 99% of my purchases is the where Ross goes 

Thank you so much for your quick reply.  Much of what is nostalgia to you is stuff I didn't know of then or now but is fascinating.

I rarely post on forums but had been kind of musing on starting an off-topic thread asking where people are at now in their creative endeavours.  Over the years I dabbled in Carrara, DAZ Studio, Poser and Iclone with Hexagon for modelling and a little Bryce and some 3dCoat for sculpting.  Some of these alone could occupy a hobbyist for a lifetime.

But things have been changing so fast with aforementioned software given for free.  There is also Blender, Unreal, Unity and many other technologies to master.  Then there is AI taking it all by storm, rightly or wrongly - I've personally left it totally alone so far.

Last year I bought a VR headset and have been blown away by the possibilities of creating things for VR use.  (My old Version 7 of Iclone can produce side-by-side renders.  These are seen as 3d scenes/animations in the headset but I haven't had time to explore further.  There just is not enough lifetime...

Thanks once again for the info.

Once again, I've wittered on

Hermit Crab said:

Hi Speculativism,

I'm glad that your mini-computer purchase is such an improvement on what you had before.  I've been pondering over getting one also for various good reasons but have reached a point in life where I don't want to buy many more things until I've made better use of what I already have.  This includes software.  Over the Christmas period there were so many software upgrades and other offers to tempt me but I managed to resist.  It is nice that you are using Bryce and Carrara (and Poser, I think).  When I first started taking an interest in 3d these were major purchases and they work just as well now as they did then.  I snapped up Vue when it became free recently as well as Modo.  Have I used them yet?  No.  These are an example of what I mean by not using what I already have.

Anyway, enough wittering.  I do have good reasons to get a mini PC a few months down the line and have looked at performance reviews and prices of various models.  The offerings from Geekcom seem like a good option to consider - or a 'benchmark' if you like.  I'm not too well-versed in hardware specs.  Would you care to give a bit more info on what you bought?

Happy New Year to all.

Edit to add:  The computer would not be for DAZ Studio use.  I have a sound desktop.

I also use Vue, Carrara, Bryce, Poser, Blender and various freeware things of various vintages. I never used Modo and it looks like I never will now. Vue is sort of like what Bryce would've been if it had been developed over the years by bigger money companies. I think there used to be a company years ago, called MetaCreations, which created a lot of these type of softwares and Corel Painter too I think. I was an art student in the early 1990s and we had Power Macs with Macromedia Director installed. Director was great. It had like rows of little boxes into which we could put a video clip or a 3D object or an image file or a sound wav or a movement file and then we could pull instances of these elements out of the boxes and drop them into the scenes of the movie we'd be creating. It was a good sensible system. It was possible to link a sound with a visual event, such as the sound of a footstep with the image of a footstep. I think Carrara could, in theory, do the same sort of thing but I never figured out how to get it properly set up for that. 

The mini computer I bought was this one: 

P4 Plus Mini PC Ryzen 7 5825U (Upgraded 5700U), 8C/16T, up to 4.5GHz, 32GB DDR4 1TB PCIe 4.0 SSD, Triple Display Desktop PC, WiFi 6E, BT5.2, Type-C which I got on Amazon in a black friday sale. 

Happy New Year!

Hi Speculativism,

I'm glad that your mini-computer purchase is such an improvement on what you had before.  I've been pondering over getting one also for various good reasons but have reached a point in life where I don't want to buy many more things until I've made better use of what I already have.  This includes software.  Over the Christmas period there were so many software upgrades and other offers to tempt me but I managed to resist.  It is nice that you are using Bryce and Carrara (and Poser, I think).  When I first started taking an interest in 3d these were major purchases and they work just as well now as they did then.  I snapped up Vue when it became free recently as well as Modo.  Have I used them yet?  No.  These are an example of what I mean by not using what I already have.

Anyway, enough wittering.  I do have good reasons to get a mini PC a few months down the line and have looked at performance reviews and prices of various models.  The offerings from Geekcom seem like a good option to consider - or a 'benchmark' if you like.  I'm not too well-versed in hardware specs.  Would you care to give a bit more info on what you bought?

Happy New Year to all.

Edit to add:  The computer would not be for DAZ Studio use.  I have a sound desktop.

Ron Knights said:

I have two mini computers that I've bought within the last year. They are really nice and powerful.

Unfortunately neither mini PC will handle DAZ Studio.

I use one to handle all my multimedia files, using Plex. The other one I use to handle "paperwork."

Your Radeon graphics won't help you with DAZ Studio. You'll be stuck with CPU rendering, which is slow.

Remember that 3Delight is dead.

I'm well aware that my 6-year-old PC will eventually be left behind. I have an nVidia 1650 GPU with only 6 GB RAM.

I probably won't be able to use DAZ Studio 2025.

It will be slow if it works at all.

Au contraire!

The mini computer I've bought is fabulously fast and works brilliantly with Daz Studio, Carrara, Bryce, Poser and Blender. 

I'm getting fast renders and increased stability. Also the ability to do things which my old Windows 10 machine doesn't do. 

I don't use 3delight very often anyway but I've saved the older Daz Studio so that I will still have the option. 

I see no reason why I would be "stuck" with cpu rendering. I was using integrated cpu/gpu on my slow old machine but now I'm rendering without delay. 

Vue is going opensource if people will support it

Carrara developers maybe you are interested? 

I know I'm slightly off topic talking about hardware but I just wanted to say that I've been worrying for the last few years about being left behind in a digital underclass because Daz was zooming ahead into new tech which my old computer couldn't handle and then, at last, I was able to afford a new mini-computer in a black Friday sale and it is superb! It's a Ryzen AMD 7 .

I was astonished at the little box which is so much more powerful than my old PC. The new one has Windows 11 and Radeon graphics and is able to do Filament and Filatoon renderings without crashing and Iray renderings very much faster than the old one could. Well worth looking at if you're looking for lower price with faster renders. 

I used to have to go to Superfly and Firefly and other, older renderers to get any results done quickly, especially when I was trying to do animations. I had to use lower resolution figures and props and different software choices. Now everything is faster. Even Bryce and Carrara now run better and with less crashes. 

Also the mini-computer takes up less space, is almost silent running and is using less electricity. Cheaper and better for the environment.