I'm going to play around with it a bit more, and then probably upload both a HiRez model for close range renders, and
the lower resolution prop I already made.

Then, there is my list of obscure props I always wanted to have, and nobody would, as yet, model, as my modeling skills
will (hopefully) develop. For several years, I've been enviously looking at the efforts of The Ness, DarthJ, Jan19 and Skip-
per25, to name just a few, and given a modeling program that is intuitive to use, it is actually fun creating new stuff - just
need to find the time.

Simple stuff like this should make me come to grips with the basic problems between SketchUp and Poser/DAZ Studio,
and finding workarounds. As soon as I have the hang of it, I will have developed a work flow, and things should be going
more smoothly. At this point in time, this is mostly about my learning curve, with some additional freebie props as extra
benefits.

I'm still experimenting. The problem is not so much in the modeling itself, but in exporting it into a different format and have it
still look good.

SketchUp seems to have some internal smoothing tricks up it sleeve and makes even low-poly surfaces look smooth.
Once you export this seemingly smooth object into another format, things look quite differently, and faces show up in
the render.

The Poser 4 render engine is quite forgiving on my mesh, and makes it seem smooth.

Both Firefly and 3Delight seem to be more demanding, ironically even with the smoothing option activated.

A further problem with this particular mesh is, that there's no photographic texture on top of it; a plain surface is more
likely to show its imperfections, especially when it is slightly glossy.

My original mesh looks too edgy to be usable, so I'm now experimenting on a high res mesh that makes SketchUp
choke, but will look better in 3Delight. It is based on a circle with no less then 600 sides in SketchUp as the base for
the rotation, and the polygon count is probably ridiculous - as far as size is concerned, the high res bowl is almost
9 MB. OK, modern hardware can take it, but it is still sort of ridiculous. It may be a SketchUp thing; as I am a complete
newbie as far as modeling is concerned I would not know. If any of the other modelers could shine a light on this,
please do - do Poser and DAZ Studio really need such a lot of polygons to make smooth curved surfaces, or is there
a workaround? (Probably I should better take this question to Nuts & Bolts.)

I need to make a more accurate high res model for the bowl next; in SketchUp you do that by sketching the outer
contour and then rotating it around the axis. My poor old laptop needed almost two hours to do the math at my
previous test at a high resolution, so it might take me a while to come up with the definitive mesh.

A simple 3Delight - Ueberenvironment 2 render to show the problem - the pink version is a 'quick' and dirty ridiculously
high res mesh, as opposed to my original mesh in green, looking quite chunky.

has foot and hand collision with terrain which is a feature I would love in Daz
you need 3dx5pro for rigged figure and model import and just exporting some mesh (Reallusion store bought stuff is locked to iClone)
does Google sketchup and warehouse models nicely.
rigged models and bvh needs pipeline for export plus licenses for Reallusion developer market place stuff.

Even if I have used Poser for a decade, I'm still a newbie as far as distributing freebies is concerned, so I will browse around
for advice on disclaimers and distributing stuff. I also need to re-size the bowl for Poser, as it did not respect the SketchUp
dimensions at import. And I still want to do a basic test in DAZ Studio 4. I also need check out ShareCG to see how to add
an item there.

Given the necessary spare time, I'd like to use SketchUp to create items I have not yet seen anywhere else, but as I'm still
quite confused about the legal distribution of generic textures. I'm not certain how much of these I can distribute freely. If
anyone knows more about this subject, I'd be happy with some advice on this matter - creating my own textures is a bit
out of my current scope.

I hope to get this food container out by the end of the weekend, and I'm planning on experimenting with a SketchUp
plug-in that does automatic curved smoothing on square edges, to add a rectangular counterpart to this Tupperware
bowl. From what I've seen in the tutorials, SketchUp is rather powerful, and not too hard to use. Depending on how
smoothly these models can be imported in Poser, it may be just what I needed for my modest modeling needs.

Probably one of the easiest thing to model, but nowhere to be found, either as freeware or commercial mesh; classic, Tupperware like
food containers.

You'd think anyone else would have gotten the idea to enrich the CG world with this iconic piece of design, but alas, no.

After making some idle requests for this item, I got myself the free version of SketchUp 8, a free obj-exporter plug-in, and
went through some you-tube tutorials. As a first, simple exercise, i decided to model myself a Tupperware bowl.

Therefore, I am proud to show you my first masterpiece; my very first modeled object - tadaa...!

I still need to find out how to package stuff in self extracting zips or rars, and how to upload stuff to ShareCG, but if there is any
interest in this item, I'd be glad to do so.

The mesh itself is rather high-poly to make it smooth, and has a simple basic Poser 4 type shader without any texture maps.
The lid is a separate object, smart propped to the bowl, and will load as a single prop. I still need to test it in DAZ Studio.
I'm sure you can come up with better shaders than me, if needed.

Only one color variation is included (green); you can easily adjust color and size yourself. Authentic 1950s/1960s color
would be pastel pink, blue or yellow.

Shown on the pictures are (1) - A what-you-see-is-what-you-get picture, with the bare food container in a pastel green color,
rendered in the P7 Firefly render engine with some ambient occlusion added, and (2), a quick and dirty still life with 3 variations
of the bowl, rendered with the basic Poser 4 render engine.

Depending on what comes out ouf any further SketchUp doodling, I might share some more stuff in the future, but no solid promises
there...

Title: Ray of hope
Comment: From the darkness of the battlefield comes ray of hope
Inspiration: Battle of britain museum
Software: Bryce 7.1 Pro
Post Work: None
Tutorial:Bryce Depth of Field effect - a 15 minute tutorial by David Brinnen. Brycetech: Streaming Lights
Models:Skull, http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/details?mid=ad9b354ddd1b27c667477b2917d5c26&prevstart=24
White Lily: Zantedeschia - Calla Lily (white), http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/details?mid=227604c137f7c0ad6ad0f8b8eab3fc46&prevstart=0
Textures:Bones0031,cgtextures. Pile of bones and skulls,http://www.stockvault.net/photo/96483/pile-of-bones-and-skulls
Work To Do:
Any comments?

yes yes that is all correct but not regarding to light ,you can scale up or down everything but accurate light and physical correct fall off will not works , I just try to do something good , I know everything about scales and how to do it I am in this for 15 years so not need help on that that have nothing to do with that . Soon I will explain , it may not be today or tomorrow but I will so you can better understand what I was talking about ,I wish I do that today but I am under agreement and can't explain more to you but for sure it is not export import issue you think as I don;t have any .

DWG said:

It doesn't matter what programme you use, whether it be Google Sketchup, Studio, or CATIA (to pick a high-end 3D app that absolutely depends on being able to translate into real world coordinates), if they want to let people create objects at a consistent scale, then each of them makes an assumption about how real world coordinates relate to in-programme coordinates, and the relationship between the two is a fixed scaling ratio.

DAZ uses 1 unit = 1cm, Poser is mostly standardised on one PU = 8 feet , other programmes will have their own ratios.

If you copy a 5'2" figure from DAZ into another application, and she appears as 23', then your translation process did not adequately account for the different scaling ratios between the two. You may have a translation process that 'works' in terms of getting the model into the new programme, but it is one that breaks scaling. The problem isn't the size of the figure in either application, it is buried somewhere in the process used to translate the two.

(And just to be clear, I've done graphics at the professional level in a very specialized arena).

It doesn't matter what programme you use, whether it be Google Sketchup, Studio, or CATIA (to pick a high-end 3D app that absolutely depends on being able to translate into real world coordinates), if they want to let people create objects at a consistent scale, then each of them makes an assumption about how real world coordinates relate to in-programme coordinates, and the relationship between the two is a fixed scaling ratio.

DAZ uses 1 unit = 1cm, Poser is mostly standardised on one PU = 8 feet , other programmes will have their own ratios.

If you copy a 5'2" figure from DAZ into another application, and she appears as 23', then your translation process did not adequately account for the different scaling ratios between the two. You may have a translation process that 'works' in terms of getting the model into the new programme, but it is one that breaks scaling. The problem isn't the size of the figure in either application, it is buried somewhere in the process used to translate the two.

(And just to be clear, I've done graphics at the professional level in a very specialized arena).

chohole said:

There is also one in the Google sketchup warehouse, but I gather they need converting somehow.

You can export out of Sketchup as an obj, and then import as normal for an obj.

I found one at turbosquid at a reasonable price (and quite a few at more normal prices for that outlet :coolsmirk:)
http://www.turbosquid.com/3d-models/airplane-concord-jet-3d-model/357094
There is also one in the Google sketchup warehouse, but I gather they need converting somehow.

RNLI lifeboat, quite badly converted from a Google Sketchup model into bryce.

Shaaelia said:

A leg brace. Could you link an image of what type of leg brace you were after?

The only leg-brace I'm aware of (and I've been watching for one to use in an image for several years) is the one in this package over at PhilC's store http://istore.mikrotec.com/philc/index1.html?page=catalog&category=a&vid=71169289&pid=1946800373&oldvid=2143420604 , unfortunately it's pretty basic, and for a non-standard figure.

ZME has some good basic wheelchairs, there's one reasonable lightweight wheelchair at Rendo and some prosthetics for V3, and several packs of crutches - here, at Rendo and at ZME, plus the casts DAZ put out last year, but that's about it. Disability doesn't really get a great deal of attention. I can't even think of a straightforward medical cane (I've been meaning to hack a crutch apart in Hex for ages)

If someone produced a good powerchair, racing wheelchair, or a more flexible lightweight chair than the Rendo one then I'd definitely be in line as a customer. I've been trying to do some disability-themed protest art and if I want any variety in what characters are using then I'm going to have to start rigging stuff I've found on Google Sketchup

crownlion said:

http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/details?mid=8b4bafd84d74e262fb4fe6770d8af214&prevstart=0

the link to it on google 3d. if you can not convert i will be glad to send you either an obj format or 3ds format

Please watch for a PM.

Okay folks I've been playing with sketchup for almost two years. So here is an idea that may help.

Stay in Sketchup.

Break the set up and delete the parts of the Sketchup file you don't want.

'how do I do that, it's all one block?"

Right click on the whole set and click on the word EXPAND/EXPLODE (I'm at work and can't remember what the word is.)

The file set will break into individual parts. In some cases the worst thing will happen and to delete the un-needed sets will have to be deleted one line by line till you have what you want.

Patience and time!

Then export to OBJ for use in Poser or D|S.

The added parts in the sets are the Author's parts and pieces for making the hallway. If done and used right you can make your own hallways and paths with these, then export to OBJ or what ever render format you use.

http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/details?mid=8b4bafd84d74e262fb4fe6770d8af214&prevstart=0

the link to it on google 3d. if you can not convert i will be glad to send you either an obj format or 3ds format

You need to make sure that what you export from Sketchup has been UV mapped, otherwise all you get is the color from the top left pixel in your texture.

Good Morning,

I have created some objects in Sketchup and exported them as obj files. When I import them into DS4 Pro, they come in perfectly (except for having to resize). The main problem is that when I apply a texture or shader, it doesn't seem to work properly. The Sketchup object's surface changes to a pale imitation of the base color of the shader applied, but does not show any detail, bump, or displacement even though the settings and maps in the Surface tab show they are all correct. As an experiment, I imported a simple cube obj and then created one directly in DS. I applied the same shader to both and made sure that the Surface settings were exactly the same. The DS cube looked great, but the obj cube turned light gray (the base color of the shader) but did nothing else. Even rendered, the image didn't change. Can anybody please tell me what I'm missing or doing wrong? I'm trying to post a screen capture, but my system isn't cooperating this morning.

I am using DS 4.0.3.47 Pro.

Thanks...

How very strange, I am in the UK and the link works fine for me.
If you have Google Sketchup (a great and completely free 3D design application with literally millions of free models), just go to the Google 3D warehouse and type RNLI Lifeboat into the search field.
If you dont have Sketchup, you can still access the Google 3D Warehouse by searching '3D warehouse' in Google.

Hope this helps.

Non-Complaints first:
-Got in touch with MAXON Support and they removed my name from the registration list, freeing me up to try again to register the Demo. This time it worked :3 (They mentioned their database "Getting in it's head to try and register activations incorrectly" ^_^)
-Completed Age of Wonders 2: The Wizard's throne. I restate my belief that the Draconians are overpowered in that game. Swarmed the final city with a draconian rogue hero, two red dragons, three aerial draconian melee units, two faerie dragons, and a Rift Lord (Not a dragon, and not a flying unit) and won easily. Enemy forces had a Red Dragon present and a LOT of archers and a few canons, and I was under constant attack from the Wizard Tower present, but I managed to win against 16 units and a Wizard while only losing the Rift Lord and one Faerie Dragon. Once the archers and canons were gone, the rest were easy prey (The enemy Wizard had run out of spell casting points in the previous battle when I stormed her city with this same setup - she only had a single Red Dragon with her while the rest of her army was out rampaging. No units were lost on my side.) and could do nothing but sit helplessly while my red dragons and draconian hero relentlessly breathed fire upon them until they died. The damage from the tower was hardly worth mentioning, and my hero avoided most of the attacks. It hit a faerie dragon twice I think.
-A "Light this Scene" challenge is coming up on the Indigo forums soon. I might take part, but I don't like my chances at going anywhere ^_^ Hopefully an OBJ or C4D format will be provided. (They've also updated Indigo with a few more C4D and SketchUp exclusive enhancements)
-Confirmed I will be upgrading to C4D Studio later this month.
-Lots of fun is being had with the puzzle making plugin
.
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Complaints List:
-All of the draconians were given Cold Weakness (+50% damage from Air/Cold based attacks) in Shadow Magic. The human Knight unit was given the Dragonslaying ability. Neither of these two make much sense other than balancing options, since the draconians originated in a near-arctic climate and the Wizard who created them focuses on frigid locations and spells. Second, it was ONLY the Red Dragons who were given this weakness - not the Golds, Blacks, or Faeries who are all from the same general species (It's even stated that sometimes they mate outside their breeds). As for the ebil and infamous Knight... Well I could understand if they had that ability in AoW and AoW2:WT where dragons were attacked a LOT by Humans (especially in AoW1), but those attacks really died down during AoW2 when Merlin went to the draconian lands (FRIGID REGION) and even helped restore their graveyards from the death-wizard Nekron and the mad wizard Tempest, and never more so than during Shadow Magic where the dragon race was immune to the effects of the Shadow Realm and thus were a strategic advantage when raiding the demons that lurked there. Dragons didn't have this weakness in the original AoW1 either.
There is a bit in the story between Wizard's Throne and Shadow Magic, as well as the character bio for the draconian wizard Ambir, that hints as to this change not because dragons are "cold blooded' (The other dragonkin in the game and some of their descriptions would disprove that theory), but because of the actions Ambir took against her former master Tempest (The crazy-mad Air/Cold/Ice Wizard) in her rise to power. So I guess that's justified then, since it was ONLY the units owned by the Draconian faction that got hit by that, and Tempest used to command the Draconians... As for the DS-ing ability? Seems counter-intuitive to me, since again all the dragon-hate took place in early human years in the Valley of Wonders and shortly after. Maybe when the tyrant Phobius came into power amongst the humans things changed, since he had some twisted views about things (Thought the dragons and draconians were expendable monsters, and he hated other people using magic saying it attracted the shadow demons. Thus the witch hunts began.) so that could make sense.
-Shadow Magic is acting up on me. Changed a few things and now it won't start a game - It gets as far as the Start Game screen, but after that everything just acts all weird and I can't see anything. Reinstalling and hope it will work better this time (NEVER did this on my desktop >_> )
-Was up all night and now am very sleepyz.
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More to come later.

wilmap said:

My husband is a great RNLI supporter and has asked me several times if I could do a scene. Cromer Lifeboat Station was just what I needed, but I couldn't find a suitable lifeboat anywhere, so this visiting French Rescue RIB will have to do. Rendered in Bryce with some added yachts.

Sorry, don't mean to derail the thread... so let's pretend this lifeboat is based at Comer. :cheese:

The best I've managed to find is this one on Google Sketchup; Google Sketchup RNLI Lifeboat.
You can download it and import it into Bryce... but as usual it needs a lot of work to make it look anything like.

I spent this afternoon fixing some bits of it roughly and managed this quick render: