Workflow Questions - DAZ/Hex/Bryce
cjreynolds
Posts: 155
I am about to embark on a rather massive project that will envolve creating hundreds, if not thousands of images for use as backgrounds for text (something like PowerPoint presentations). These will need realistic terrains, buildings, and human characters. I have never used DAZ Studio and have only toyed with Hexagon, so I would like some opinions on what the good folks here think my workflow should be:
1. I'm planning to use DAZ studio for the characters (no-brainer)
2. Use Hexagon for most man-made structures (houses, temples, etc.)
3. Import the DAZ and Hex work into Bryce to create and render the scenes.
I would consider using Blender instead of Hex (or any other modeler) if anyone can convince me that is a better choice - I used blender years ago (maybe ver. 2?), and am not opposed to learning the current version - haven't used Hex enough to have a solid opinion of it.
As for Bryce, I've been using it since ver. 2, used about every version since then and I'm a hard-core Bryce freak. Besides that, I will be creating terrains by importing USGS maps, and I'm not sure there is another software that will do that. So all you Vue and Terragen fans are wecome to weigh in, but it will be a hard sell 
Concerning rendering, I know DAZ has a better (unbiased) render engine, but although I'm going for as much realism as possible, these are backgrounds for text - I may even put a slight blur on them in Photoshop to make the text stand out.
Anyway, I've always gotten stellar advice from you guys (and gals) and would value your opinions greatly!
Thanks,
joe
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Comments
Without being flip here, I believe Carrara may allow you to do everything you'd like in one consistent environment.
(I use Bryce, DS, Hex, Poser, Iclone, Blender, and Carrara... all dismally, but I'm familiar enough with all of them and the results of folks who use them each well to suggest Carrara for your particular use-case.)
Extend this question to add that tool and see how others chime in - and let us know where you go with it!
cheers,
--ms
As Mindsong noted, Carrara can do everything in one single environment. Ground Control from Digital Carvers Guild will easily import USGS DEM data (or STRM) into Carrara. I've used it to import large digital elevation models I've created from lidar data and photogrmmetry - it works quite well. There is also a version of it for DS, but I don't know how difficult it would be to create terrain shaders and add in vegetation, etc. with DS (vegetation should be fairly easy with UltraSatter). My experience with Bryce is limited, but as I recall Ground Control is much more flexible than the Bryce DEM importer.
I also have Vue Complete 2016, and it does a very good job with DEM data, and custom DEM's from Lidar data, as well as a fantastic eco-systems system (and echo-system painter), elevation/slope based shaders that can create displacement on cliff faces, and a lot of other very useful features. I haven't tried importing DAZ characters though, so that might be more difficult than Bryce, but id does import .obj quite well (rather pricey compared to Bryce, but IMHO it has a lot more features than Bryce (including a very good terrain editor).
You can do some great landscape work on Blender too, but it's a lot more work than Bryce, Carrara, or Vue. I'd say it really depends on what you need. Hex is a very capable modeler, and if you are already familiar with it and Bryce, then that may be the most productive option. I would definitely take a serious look at the other options, just to see if they might fit you needs better, but it may be better just to stay with what you know.
Thanks for the info - you've inspired me to take another look at Carrera and Vue - The last time I delved into Vue was like version 1 or 2. Vue 2016 looks awesome! But I'm already building a new PC so my money's a little short and dropping $1000+ on software isn't something I can normally do...
Everything I've seen about Carrera looks good - I'm tempted to go with that. Since I'd be starting from the ground up with DS, and almost from the ground up with Hex, I was prone to stick with Bryce, just to avoid learning 3 different softwares at once. But then, if I went with Carrera, that would only be 1 package to learn, and the price isn't bad.
You've definately opened my mind to some different options - Thanks!
I've heard that Carrara's Model room is very similar to Hexagon's in terms of familiarity. Others may be able to confirm. May help leverage your hexagon mindset/investment.
It also natively understands most Poser formats (lots of older content - free/cheap/payfor, esp Older DAZ content for PC+ members), and most current DS 'duf' formats other than the newer G3/G8 figures. Even the new figures have some creative hacks available that can make them useable.
Quite a brilliant and generously helpful crowd in the various Carrara forums (DAZ and others).
I also have Vue, and once I figured out that the hobbiest/consumer version (complete?) doesn't do render 'passes', I dumped it. I didn't care for the node-locking content either. I buy all of my content, but expect that it'll be 'portable' to match any current or future workflow/tools I come across. see the Daz 'Connect' forum threads for similar discussion :^). Vue is clearly a good tool, but without that basic capability for my price-point, I found good tools that do have it and have never looked back. (not trying to start a religious war - simply didn't meet my needs for my price point).
Also, be aware that Carrara also has many features built-in, that are included with DS either free or as pay-for packages - animated textures, puppeteer, NLAnimation, spherical renders, terrain and atmospherics, render passes, and many more that I can't think of right now.
For Carrara Payfor: Take a look at 'fenric's add-ons here at the store, and really look at the features, because the names are deceptively minimal relative to the capabilities they add. Inagoni, and the Digital Carver's Guild both add almost infinite commonly needed functions (DEM/DFX import, toon, etc.). There are addons for octane and lux renderers, and the VWD dynamic clothing simulation engine. Lots of material sets, for general use (stonework, etc.) and characters (skins, etc.). Look at any of Howie Farks DAZ store products (scenes) for an idea how crazy-good this tool can be. @Philw's tutorials cover everything Carrara does well-enough to get you a good footing, and others have added depth in specific areas. Carrara-specific lights, scenes, importers, exporters, textures, materials, tools, atmospheres, skin shaders, are all available in the store, and almost always better than you expect when you buy them.
It's not without faults/hacks/workarounds, but even as it ages, it's still proving daily that the folks that wrote it understood what 3D workflows looked like, and what 3D artists were going to be doing, long into the future. Add to that a generous group of folks that have dealt with almost all of the problems (ok, most?) at least once, and jotted down the fixes/tweaks in the various forums. And they're a fun crew.
(uh oh, I'm starting to sound like our local flag-carrier @dartenbeck... but that's probably a good thing). Please take a look at the DAZ Carrara forum header for his amazing collections of docs, info, products, videos, and how to-s - from him and others - to get an idea of how much 'help' is available for Carrara. Those sorts of resources should be part of any decision you make, because being stuck is always a royal pain...
cheers,
--ms
That's one of the things I love about DAZ products in general - active forums with lot's of helpful experienced folks. Makes jumping into a new product less intimidating...