Michael 4 Muscle Maps (How can I create a highlighted muscle in isolation?)

mdhedu

I found some stock photos on a number of the larger sites that demonstrate muscles in isolation (e.g. www.shutterstock.com images 170000462 and 177699896). They appear to have been created from the Michael 4 and Muscle Maps programs; however, I haven't been able to figure out how to create the effect through Daz Studio.

Does anyone know if and how I can create the effect of just one muscle (or muscle group) being highlighted?

Thanks for your help!

Jaderail

I would use a 2D art program to Layer the Muscle Maps above or below a normal texture file, use a soft brush and Erase all I did not want or show only what I did want then merge the layers and save as a new file. Then in the surfaces tab use the Browse to load the new file to the proper part of the figure using the textures.

Lindsey

I'm sure it was done in post. I'd make two renders, one with normal skin texture and one with the muscle maps. Load both into one image in a paint program that supports layers with the skin texture on top, muscle layer underneath. Remove the skin texture with an "eraser" tool to expose the muscles.

Edit: Temporarily set the opacity of the skin layer slightly less than 100% so you can target the muscles you want highlight.

Jaderail

That works too unless you wish to to do a lot of renders of one set. Then my way is faster. But this is better for single renders.