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Novica, Serene Night, & Invited Guest Contributors Tips & Product Reviews Pt 3

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  • NovicaNovica Posts: 23,895
    edited December 1969

    http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/34311/P15/#507960

    Check this out and tell me I'm wrong. I hope I am. But I've bought a few things in my life time from here, lol- and the old cart applied your Snowball discount to the current prices, that's why it's called stacking. The items that were 30% off had that price in the cart, not the ORIGINAL price. By doing it this new way, doing the discounts on the ORIGINAL price, you're getting screwed over if I am correct. I may be wrong. But I just added all the new stuff to the cart (that was 30% off and in the snowball section, so they qualify for the stacking snowball discount) and I do not think its correct in the cart using the original prices.

  • barbultbarbult Posts: 24,369
    edited December 1969

    Novica said:
    I am having very little luck with that hair. I am going to reload it and start from scratch- maybe. There are crown adjustments but after using them, I had to make the hair poof out so much from the front that it looked ridiculous. I would say it is my level of expertise, but duh, I'm not a new kid on the block and if I am having this much trouble, it's either just not my day or there's something that needs to be fine tuned and it will take you awhile.

    Before I redo it, I decided to test the other hair by this vendor to see if it loads looking halfway decent or not. If not, I am returning both of them, whether they say you can or not! Neither were used to achieve Snowball status. Testing it now, it will speak for itself. Same lighting, will show you out of the box. If this doesn't turn out, I might not mess with the first one.

    EDIT:.The upcoming render will show you how this loads out of the box.


    The problem could be with Nidale rather than the hair. Perhaps she has a strangely shaped head. Try the hair on a character that the hair says it supports. Have you tried smoothing on the hair with collision with Nidale? I'm not saying you should not return it. Do so if you are dissatisfied.
  • NovicaNovica Posts: 23,895
    edited December 1969

    Haven't yet because I checked the head shapes and the sliders and not much difference. The head would have to be very grotesquely distorted to allow for that band in the front to change. The promo art shows it too, only hidden more with the headpiece.

    There's bigger concerns- that new cart is NOT doing right. I've posted more examples on the thread. By taking the original price and doing your discounts, it does not do the prices right all the time. Two out of four of mine were wrong. Am I the only one not jumping on this "how great thou art cart" bandwagon????? My total was off .54 and that was only for 4 items.

  • NovicaNovica Posts: 23,895
    edited December 2013

    barbult said:

    Perhaps she has a strangely shaped head. Try the hair on a character that the hair says it supports. Have you tried smoothing on the hair with collision with Nidale?

    I'm checking to see if I loaded the right thing. I remembered there were two options and I may have selected the one that was for more than the head (aka for the head piece.) I thought that was the one I clicked on (hair only) but I am redoing it to be sure.

    EDIT: I think that was the problem. You have two options to check, one is hair, one is hair only head.

    Post edited by Novica on
  • NovicaNovica Posts: 23,895
    edited December 2013

    Nidale
    Regina Malorum Hair
    Geek For Genesis 2 Female(s)
    Nature- Plants Pack 1

    http://www.daz3d.com/nidale
    http://www.daz3d.com/regina-malorum-hair
    http://www.daz3d.com/geek-for-genesis-2-female-s
    http://www.daz3d.com/nature-plants-pack-1

    This is Nidale on Genesis 2 instead of Victoria 6 HD, don't know if that made a difference or not.

    Be sure you select Hair- HeadOnly. I selected Hair in the first render. It still does not fit right out of the box and moving sliders caused some bald spots in other areas. Render time was not too bad but this isn't a quickie quickie. As opposed to a quickie. It was over 20 minutes then I lost track of time.

    Don't know what that "vein" is on the top part of the arm on OUR right. Maybe she just finished doing some curls.

    I didn't do any DOF so you can see the detail of the plants.
    EDIT- the pose is from the items that come up when I click on poses, they are not identified. Do those come with essentials? Anyway, there is no tweaking. The fingers need to be moved a bit to touch the knee.

    The top and shorts- NO ADJUSTMENTS. Loads like a breeze!

    NidaleV6DeaAramHair2.jpg
    1088 x 1400 - 996K
    Post edited by Novica on
  • NovicaNovica Posts: 23,895
    edited December 2013

    TIP: If you want to save your light setup, use Save As then lights. But what if your character was in a different place in your old scene? Not a world center, where things load for new scenes?

    Well, put the coordinates in your lights name.

    If they are all negative, just put AllNeg then separate the coordinates with a dot. Round up. (EDIT- made these negatives) Nidale is at -29 (X) -41 (Y) -3 (Z)
    That light in Light Presets looks like this and tells me it's the Nidale in the plants lights and the coordinates:

    NidalePlantsAllNeg29.41.3

    So I load the lights, and move my character there and build my scene from there. That is faster for me than trying to get lights to work somewhere else, and I just add to them or change them. Just my fast way of doing it.

    Post edited by Novica on
  • Serene NightSerene Night Posts: 17,654
    edited December 2013

    I have to agree with you about that hair. Novica. =-/

    I don't like the no return policy. I've picked up a couple items during the sale which gave me less than a buck discount with snowball, in other words insignificant savings. It is unfortunate our rights to return have been waived. I guess it might be more for folks who have more snowballs but mine is only the initial tier. And two items I've bought during this sale have not been up to standard.

    The new cart doesn't seem an improvement to me. In order for me to see what is going on, I really want to see the price break down of what percentage is what, and how that applies. Because it is one total discounted price, it seems much the same as the original cart. I can already see what the original price is on the product page. What I'm interested in is how the discounts work.

    EDITED:

    I think I read somewhere Nidale was supposed to be a light-skinned black character, and the vendor provided a darker-skinned render for the promo art. I found the existing promo art not too appealing, as it just makes her look slightly tan.

    Post edited by Serene Night on
  • NovicaNovica Posts: 23,895
    edited December 1969

    Re Nidale- she is light skinned, it was just my lighting on the first one. The second one shows it more true to form. :)

    The cart isn't right. It's not stacking correctly. I used one of my actual purchases and tested it. It was off by (if I remember, I did this three hours ago) $4.00

    You know why they went this route? It's easier for Britney to see the breakdown of what the final cost of the item is according to DAZ, instead of having to look up the prices

  • Serene NightSerene Night Posts: 17,654
    edited December 1969

    Ah, well I'm for making Britney' s life easier. She is so nice. I just find it not much of an improvement without seeing how the discounts work.

  • NovicaNovica Posts: 23,895
    edited December 1969

    I just tested it on some other orders (some full price, one 30%) and it worked. So it is that special Zev0 deal that throws a kink into how to figure it.

    BTW, have you seen this? http://www.daz3d.com/nfxstudios-farmhouse
    Would go great with all those country kitchen and dining room stuff. Not on sale, but cute. (I get a good discount on it so I think will buy it.) That vendor never goes on sale do they?

  • NovicaNovica Posts: 23,895
    edited December 1969

    For you Bryce folks- It might make an interesting thing to have bolts of energy shooting down. YES, it is a DAZ Original so you could get $6 off if you are PC member. PLUS stack with your Snowball. It would look good with water under it.
    http://www.daz3d.com/interiors/the-machine

    Now here's my question. How are those pauldrons (top shoulder pieces) supposed to lay when the arm is in this position? They went straight out but that doesn't look right.

    And I'm going to go ask on the main forum if no one can answer here- the maille 2nd skin in materials does not have a corresponding piece. I can't texture something that isn't there! It's the main maille that goes under the breastplate. If you have Order Of The Wolf would you see if you have both things?

    Headed out the door. This is Nathan (by Jepe) Will post a review as soon as I get that outfit figured out. But trust me, there is nothing in the wardrobe section that I can apply the maille 2nd skin to.

    NathanJepeM6HDNidaleFieldLts.jpg
    1554 x 1861 - 1M
  • MelanieLMelanieL Posts: 7,420
    edited December 1969

    Novica said:
    And I'm going to go ask on the main forum if no one can answer here- the maille 2nd skin in materials does not have a corresponding piece. I can't texture something that isn't there! It's the main maille that goes under the breastplate. If you have Order Of The Wolf would you see if you have both things?

    Headed out the door. This is Nathan (by Jepe) Will post a review as soon as I get that outfit figured out. But trust me, there is nothing in the wardrobe section that I can apply the maille 2nd skin to.


    Isn't the 2nd skin maille supposed to be applied to G2M himself?
  • NovicaNovica Posts: 23,895
    edited December 1969

    Well, I think I clicked on it when he was selected but let me go see.

  • NovicaNovica Posts: 23,895
    edited December 2013

    Well, I DID have the figure selected when I clicked on it- but it was the other G2 male in the scene that was hidden. Oopsie. There he was, with nothing on but that maille. Thanks for the poke, I wouldn't have figured out what I'd done. (Edit- Explanation- I had both in the scene, then decided to use only one and shut the other one off. But he was out of my view so I didn't see him when I hid him.)

    BTW, read the paper lately? :) (Surfs up.) Do you know what I'm referring to? And just because you helped me, I'll have to tweak the next newspaper edition to have you surfing back in (giggle)

    Now, any experience with those shoulder thinga-ma-jiggies? Should it be straight out or curved down? I favor down.

    Post edited by Novica on
  • Serene NightSerene Night Posts: 17,654
    edited December 2013

    I don't have the armor, but the texture usually will apply to the skin. I like Nathan a lot. My favorite Gen2 male skins thus far.

    The pauldrons are shoulder pieces. Sometimes called spaulders They should cover the shoulder, but sometimes autofit can do strange things. I think curving down is correct to deflect the blow. Sometimes stylized armor makes them stick out like a shelf but that would catch the weapon and not deflect.

    Post edited by Serene Night on
  • IvyIvy Posts: 7,165
    edited December 2013

    Thanks for the invite Novica
    here is my post
    I did few new renders with a new character i picked up last week
    Pabu for Aiko 4 http://www.daz3d.com/new-releases/pabu-for-aiko-4
    great character I used her for a winter fairy scenes
    The hair was Swan Sansa Hair http://www.renderosity.com/mod/bcs/sansa-hair/94483/

    I rendered it in poser pro
    the back ground is Muolti-Cyclo-pane with Hobo's texture
    The outfit is Mystic fantasy, i picked up at rendo.
    the light is IDL 3 points i did my self
    :)

    I have a few scene renders coming from a new yoga animation I'm working on I'll try to post later.

    02_elf-_fairy.jpg
    800 x 800 - 105K
    01_elf-_fairy.jpg
    800 x 800 - 113K
    elf-_fairy.jpg
    800 x 800 - 113K
    Post edited by Ivy on
  • TJohnTJohn Posts: 11,149
    edited December 1969

    Novica said:
    Well, I DID have the figure selected when I clicked on it- but it was the other G2 male in the scene that was hidden. Oopsie. There he was, with nothing on but that maille. Thanks for the poke, I wouldn't have figured out what I'd done. (Edit- Explanation- I had both in the scene, then decided to use only one and shut the other one off. But he was out of my view so I didn't see him when I hid him.)

    BTW, read the paper lately? :) (Surfs up.) Do you know what I'm referring to? And just because you helped me, I'll have to tweak the next newspaper edition to have you surfing back in (giggle)

    Now, any experience with those shoulder thinga-ma-jiggies? Should it be straight out or curved down? I favor down.


    Hmmm... I'm rendering it now. Thanks for reminding me, lol, it came with the M6 Pro Bundle and forgot all about it.
    It appears to be following the shoulders the way I expected based on the promo renders.
    By any chance, is your figure's left arm against his side? It looks like it is moved toward the front more than it is close to his side. That might explain the shoulder armor's position. The right side looks like i would expect it to.

    This armor is great, and goes well with a set I have:
    http://www.daz3d.com/throne-of-the-wolfking
    I'd like to make the armor a bit more metallic, and blacker. It looks a bit plastic IMO. Maybe I can use Real Metals on it without losing the displacement map.
    A tip for folks that are using Core Lighting 1, 2, 3. The "sun" settings for shadows are "Shadow Mapped". If you change this to "Raytraced" and set "Softness" to maybe 5, you can get more accurate shadows. Of course the render will take longer, but the image here rendered in about 45 minutes. I think the difference in quality is worth the time spent. My 2 cents. :)

    Order_of_the_wolfkingwip.jpg
    833 x 1000 - 241K
  • NovicaNovica Posts: 23,895
    edited December 1969

    I noticed when I typed in Wolf King (I just typed Lion King, lol! He'd sit on the Disney throne) that there was a throne. Good to see it!
    Yeah, mine doesn't have the exact same pose on both arms, so one is different. I just got back home so I need to see if I rendered the entire guy. Back in a few.

    Ivy, love the Pabu- I haven't done her yet. Was it on your thread that I read about Hobo and the textures? Someone had posted a link on the forums and it was discussed. I remember surfing in and there was a wide variety.

    I'll be back in a few after I check my Nathan :) Enjoying having the guest contributors very much!

  • NovicaNovica Posts: 23,895
    edited December 2013

    Jepe's Nathan for Michael 6
    Order of the Wolf
    Milen Hair
    Capses M6 Pack 1

    http://www.daz3d.com/jepe-s-nathan-for-michael-6
    http://www.daz3d.com/order-of-the-wolf
    http://www.daz3d.com/milen-hair
    http://www.daz3d.com/capsces-poses-m6-pack-1

    tjohn- are you referring to the lights that came with the throne? I'm using my own (well, they were added to another set, and I'd have to go back through the thread to see what got added where. All mine are raytraced.)

    This isn't meant as a render per se (so far as composition, best view) I just did the angle that best showed those arm pieces at the top. I think this looks pretty "natural." (He's thinking, "I can't believe the vendor slapped wolves on my shoulders.")

    Note the Milen Hair does have the shine option added. I like it! Did NO tweaking. This is my favorite M6 hair- very nice strands, goes right on, and just is sexy as you can get! Okay, rugged too.

    Regarding the poses- take a look at that pack. Very versatile! I'll try to render one showing the entire pose now.

    NathanJepeM6HDNidaleFieldLts3.jpg
    1800 x 2000 - 2M
    Post edited by Novica on
  • NovicaNovica Posts: 23,895
    edited December 2013

    Invited Guest Contributors

    Next weekend, joining any of these artists who wish to post again, we announced Jaderail will also join in.

    And now we can announce that Estroyer will also be beginning next Friday!

    More invitations going out this weekend.

    Post edited by Novica on
  • starionwolfstarionwolf Posts: 3,670
    edited December 1969

    Who is Jaderail? Just kidding.

    I have not seen Nathan before. Thanks for posting the render.

  • NovicaNovica Posts: 23,895
    edited December 1969

    starionwolf said:
    Who is Jaderail? Just kidding.

    I have not seen Nathan before. Thanks for posting the render.

    Tjohns is better than mine by a longshot :) I hadn't posted him before either, but since I haven't done many men, thought I should go that route.

  • JaderailJaderail Posts: 0
    edited December 1969

    starionwolf said:
    Who is Jaderail? Just kidding.

    I have not seen Nathan before. Thanks for posting the render.

    LOL! Okay lets see if this sticks in your brain. Jaderail is that, did I just hear something you get in the middle of the night. Jaderail is that, I'm not alone feeling that comes over you in those dark spooky places. Jaderail is the one standing right behind you in the shadows with a sharp pointy thing. But that's the other Jaderail, in here Jade is that Helpy guy that gets some things right and other things wrong but tries his best. Feel free to fear one and like the other, which way you go really don't matter. Because he will always answer to me. "Shut up Jade, yes you do."

    I'm still working on stuff to post, RL before fun. Sorry it's taking so long but...
  • Serene NightSerene Night Posts: 17,654
    edited December 2013

    Today’s Review is:

    Modern Ninja Poses for Genesis 2 Males
    http://www.daz3d.com/modern-ninja-poses-for-genesis-2-male-s-and-michael-6
    By Smay, Velemudr

    Other Content:

    Rogue Sci-fi Suit for V6 & Props
    http://www.daz3d.com/rogue-sci-fi-suit-for-v6
    Jai Hair
    http://www.daz3d.com/jai-hair
    Jepes Nathan
    http://www.daz3d.com/jepe-s-nathan-for-michael-6
    FW Diana
    http://www.daz3d.com/fw-diana
    (skin)
    Backdrop:
    Cyclorama Portrait Paper Backdrops:
    http://www.daz3d.com/cyclorama-portrait-paper-backdrops
    clipped and cropped in Photoshop
    Super Hero Equipment
    http://www.daz3d.com/super-hero-equipment-for-genesis-2-male
    End of Summer Hair
    http://www.daz3d.com/end-of-summer-hair-for-genesis-and-genesis-2-female-s


    This is a great ninja/gun/sword pose set for Genesis 2 Males, which also happens to work fine on Genesis 2 females. The poses are for the prop set Super Hero Equipment, but you can use them with other types of swords and guns with a bit of adjustment. (As shown in Male image 2 the blaster prop that came with Rogue Sci-fi suit (Male figure 2).

    If you have Super Hero Equipment the gun and sword will smart prop to either the left or right hand. With G2Female you may have to adjust the size of the firearm and the hand position. Since the guns and swords poses will switch hands sometimes it is simply easier to smart prop one to each hand and hide when not in use. =-)

    I found the set fun to use, and rendered nicely. I liked the way the poses transferred to Olympia =-) Overall, nice set, worked well for both genesis 2 characters (with some adjustment for size, weapon type and character).

    Well worth the purchase, would recommend.=-)

    Images 1-5 Characters using this product

    Male3.jpg
    852 x 710 - 215K
    Male2.jpg
    852 x 994 - 96K
    Female2.jpg
    852 x 994 - 300K
    Male1.jpg
    852 x 994 - 336K
    Female1.jpg
    852 x 994 - 349K
    Post edited by Serene Night on
  • Serene NightSerene Night Posts: 17,654
    edited December 1969

    Novica said:
    starionwolf said:
    Who is Jaderail? Just kidding.

    I have not seen Nathan before. Thanks for posting the render.

    Tjohns is better than mine by a longshot :) I hadn't posted him before either, but since I haven't done many men, thought I should go that route.

    I like both of your Nathan's. I think I did a review of him in thread 2 as well! He is the best gen 2 male I've seen yet. =-)

    Thanks for the invite Novica
    here is my post
    I did few new renders with a new character i picked up last week
    Pabu for Aiko 4 http://www.daz3d.com/new-releases/pabu-for-aiko-4

    What a lovely Christmas fairy. Thanks for showing this. I like the use of the Christmas ornament and horns! =-)

  • NovicaNovica Posts: 23,895
    edited December 1969

    I think those are your best lit ones yet. The lighting is spectacular!

    Jaderail, take your time with the top ten list- you have to moderate all the forums and take care of so much stuff! It's just prolonging the anticipation...what does the mighty Drow recommend...???

  • TJohnTJohn Posts: 11,149
    edited December 2013

    Novica said:

    tjohn- are you referring to the lights that came with the throne? I'm using my own (well, they were added to another set, and I'd have to go back through the thread to see what got added where. All mine are raytraced.)

    Sorry, I was talking about some Lantios lighting sets. I think I used one from Core lighting 2.
    http://www.daz3d.com/core-lighting-1
    http://www.daz3d.com/core-lighting-2
    http://www.daz3d.com/core-lighting-3
    These are some great Sun/Specular/Ambient presets. :)
    Post edited by TJohn on
  • TJohnTJohn Posts: 11,149
    edited December 1969

    @SereneNight:
    I love what you did with the Ninja poses. I bought them, I should use them. :lol:

  • Serene NightSerene Night Posts: 17,654
    edited December 2013

    tjohn said:
    @SereneNight:
    I love what you did with the Ninja poses. I bought them, I should use them. :lol:

    I like action poses and these are great.

    tjohn said:
    These are some great Sun/Specular/Ambient presets. :)

    I am curious why they call one light a 'sun' light. Is that a distant light? I am still trying to understand some of the lighting naming terms and I admit I don't. Lights make me shudder in dread! =-) I have core lights... But tend to use them not as much as other lights... But hopefully that will change as I start delving into lighting more.

    I think those are your best lit ones yet. The lighting is spectacular!

    I cannot take credit. It is a set light You probably already have this preset, it came The alcove. =-) I recommend it, especially with adding a low level spot to bring out eye lights in the face.

    One of the things I've decided to focus on is lighting, especially UE2. This is a good set to dissect for those interested in setting up their own lights.

    Post edited by Serene Night on
  • starionwolfstarionwolf Posts: 3,670
    edited December 1969

    My only complaint about the Uber area and Uber environment lights is that they are slow on single core computers. Thanks for the tip though.

This discussion has been closed.