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Novica & Invited Guest Contributors Tips & Product Reviews Pt 4

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  • NovicaNovica Posts: 23,895
    edited June 2014

    OMGosh, make that 153,891.
    Thread 4: 23,600
    Thread 3: 43,892
    Thread 2: 40,393
    Thread 1: 46,006.

    (all linked from the first post and a WEALTH of discussions, helpful tips, and showcase renders.)

    Thank you so much for watching and participating. So many people have jumped in and helped me as I muddle through, and everyone is so quick to help the other people posting when we run into something we haven't done before. That's what it's all about- the products are also important, but to me, I've gotten the most out of this when I run into something that I haven't a clue about- such as the triangles with the pants, lol.

    Edit: I did the math out of curiousity, based on when I started the threads, that's 7328 views/posts a month for the four threads combined. And we post a lot, don't we?!!

    Post edited by Novica on
  • ZarconDeeGrissomZarconDeeGrissom Posts: 5,412
    edited June 2014

    Well, if those are supposed to be tan-lines, I am drawing a blank as to from what would go there. However I'm guessing not an issue for outfits that cover more of the legs. Nice outfit, especially the arm sleeves/gloves.
    (edit)
    check that. There tan lines from the band on the top of leggings/tights?

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

    Yeah, doesn't really look like tan lines because they are light colored bars and only a small area. That's what I found rather perplexing. If anyone else has her and has time to check it out even with a small spot render, would love to know if others are getting that result.

  • Saba TaruSaba Taru Posts: 170
    edited December 1969

    Novica said:
    Yeah, doesn't really look like tan lines because they are light colored bars and only a small area. That's what I found rather perplexing. If anyone else has her and has time to check it out even with a small spot render, would love to know if others are getting that result.

    To me, that looks like where a texture seam should be, although they aren't supposed to be visible. I just did a quick test, and I did not get the pronounced banding visible in your render. I'd show you but I respect your thread restrictions.

    You can usually minimize those types of artifacts by lowering the shading rate of your lights and your render settings. My render settings shading rate is 0.10 and the Advanced Ambient light I used has the default rates it loaded with. Have you tried that? Not saying it will work, but it's worth a try (and it works for me).

    (If this were Poser it would be easier... I'd just say turn off texture filtering, but I don't think DS has that...)

  • NovicaNovica Posts: 23,895
    edited June 2014

    Showcasing: Esha / Fisty / FWArt / ImagineX / Sabby / Valea

    FWSA Siblings Jaina and Jessi (Fisty / FWArt / Sabby)
    Ocean Swimsuit (Esha)
    Surf's Up Poses for Michael 6 (ImagineX)
    Rockstar Hair (Valea)

    http://www.daz3d.com/fwsa-siblings-jaina-and-jessi
    http://www.daz3d.com/ocean-swimsuit
    http://www.daz3d.com/surf-s-up-poses-for-michael-6
    http://www.daz3d.com/rockstar-hair

    Jaina is having a great time just cruising along and keeping cool.

    A tip for you: remember to test the Michael 6 poses on your Victoria 6 / Genesis 2 Females. Even if the poses aren't perfect, they might get you very close and save you a lot of time. If you noticed the product, this was a M6 pose. The Surf's Up Poses also includes the surf board and a variety of textures for it.

    Second tip: you don't have to have a big ocean product to do water scenes. Just make sure your shoreline isn't showing and the viewer has no clue where the water is located.

    Third tip: if you don't want to use the breast gravity products, put part of the breast through the board so it appears smooshed.

    JainaRockstarHrSurfing.jpg
    1000 x 600 - 353K
    Post edited by Novica on
  • NovicaNovica Posts: 23,895
    edited December 1969

    Saba Taru said:

    You can usually minimize those types of artifacts by lowering the shading rate of your lights and your render settings. My render settings shading rate is 0.10 and the Advanced Ambient light I used has the default rates it loaded with. Have you tried that? Not saying it will work, but it's worth a try (and it works for me).

    Thanks for the tips- the shading rate is .20 so that hopefully isn't the issue, and I'll have to check and see what the other settings were for the lights. Good idea :)

  • TJohnTJohn Posts: 11,149
    edited December 1969

    Novica said:
    Yeah, doesn't really look like tan lines because they are light colored bars and only a small area. That's what I found rather perplexing. If anyone else has her and has time to check it out even with a small spot render, would love to know if others are getting that result.

    I'm not seeing the thigh band in my tests. I'm curious about the lighting you're using, and if you are using the "out-of-the-box" material that loads with the Actor. I'll try to duplicate what you're using as much as possible and see if I can reproduce the effect.
    In the meantime, select the leg skin and hip skin surfaces at the same time, then scroll through the settings and see if any of them say "Multiple". There is one figure (I forget which one) that had a difference in the specular which caused the torso and the limbs to show a division.
    John
  • NovicaNovica Posts: 23,895
    edited December 1969

    I'll check it tonight- headed out for a few hours. Just wanted you to know I'm not ignoring you :)

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

    @Novica. I like Keshi's skin. Very pretty. And nice renders too. She has a 100 kilowatt smile. I've seen the banding before. I had the same problem with Domina and I think Derek had it on his scalp.With Domina I just cheated and put tights on her. With Derek I had to lower his shading rate. I don't know why some figures have this problem when others don't.

    I also like your surfboard pose, and that is some great water. Nice render as well. Which water product did you use? The water looks better than most I've seen.

    In often use M6 poses for Gen 2 females. Poses for women can be a bit exaggerated especially making common poses intentionally sexy or swayback. M6 poses usually look more realistic.

  • NovicaNovica Posts: 23,895
    edited December 1969

    For the water, it's definitely an "Easy Environment" and you can head to the Oasis to get it. LOL.
    http://www.daz3d.com/easy-environments-oasis

    Used the default lights and added one spotlight overhead which did make the water a bit washed out in the foreground. I'd tweak that a bit if I wanted to do a competitive render.

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

    I like it! The water reflection loooks real, and doesn't have that chunky shading that makes water look kind of doubtful.

    Now I know where Sarge will have to go on his next vacation. =-)

  • NovicaNovica Posts: 23,895
    edited December 1969

    The water is at 77% opacity. Can't remember if that was the default, I think I lowered the opacity but don't know if this was "saved version" was before or after I did that. The diffuse is 164's and I think that was lighter than what loaded (but again, not sure.) Sarge will enjoy himself- the skydome is beautiful.

  • NovicaNovica Posts: 23,895
    edited June 2014

    http://www.daz3d.com/sales-promotions#birthday

    Kinda wandered around to find this page (as the site just changed over) and it's not in the rotating banner- so thought I'd point out the gift cards are on sale again EDIT: See right below the first section of V5 sale items.

    Post edited by Novica on
  • ZarconDeeGrissomZarconDeeGrissom Posts: 5,412
    edited June 2014

    Yea I see that sail, happy b-day V6. So being the new guy, how long has V6 been around? 2013-06-20 minimal V6 cheapest base only?
    Two of the figures listed in that sail was already in my wishlist (pending the outcome of the Jeep Inspection).
    I will vouch for Phoebe HD (far right) and the associated Phoebe Hair.
    http://www.daz3d.com/gallery/images/29888/
    Both the figure and Hair are exceptional products, I had no issues with them at all.

    On a separate thought. Is Cassia (for Olympia) supposed to have a load-from-scratch Icon in the smart tab? I'm having a 'Feeling' of a hint that the database didn't take after last nights attempt to get Cassia into the smart tab (delete and rebuild time).
    (edit)
    Something definitely didn't take, There should be five files in the CMS folder, not one.

    Post edited by ZarconDeeGrissom on
  • ZarconDeeGrissomZarconDeeGrissom Posts: 5,412
    edited August 2014

    Phoebe HD. very pleased with the figure and the hair.
    http://www.daz3d.com/fw-phoebe-hd
    http://www.daz3d.com/phoebe-hair
    I didn't get the goth set, so I don't have the dress.
    http://www.daz3d.com/phoebe-hd-bundle-gothic-character-outfit-and-hair

    As for Phoebe, and the hair. I don't need to do angle shots of the hair style, as that was already done.
    As for the figure, what you see in the previews IS what you get. She is not one of the morphs that makes the waster impossibly thin, like some others I just stumbled across.

    I dropped the Egyptian scene into my 'Matrix Construct' box, and half the lights ended up in the Columns. I just had to share this.
    http://www.daz3d.com/temple-of-the-pharaohs
    (edit)
    B.T.W. This is Phoebe loaded from scratch by that Icon in the smart tab. No makeup, or facial expression. Just a slight holding a lantern body posture. Same with the hair, tho I added the red 'Lava' bangs color preset (from the smart tab).
    (Edited 'new' out of old links 01:48UTC 09AUG2014)

    Phobe02001cam9f1_pr001.png
    900 x 900 - 1M
    Phobe01_prScan1.png
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    Post edited by ZarconDeeGrissom on
  • starionwolfstarionwolf Posts: 3,670
    edited December 1969

    Novica said:

    Third tip: if you don't want to use the breast gravity products, put part of the breast through the board so it appears smooshed.

    I don't believe that Daz has any breast gravity morphs for Genesis 2. Posermatic sells products for Genesis 1 to Victoria 2.

  • ZarconDeeGrissomZarconDeeGrissom Posts: 5,412
    edited December 1969

    agreed, I think the closest they have is the "(Right/Left) Pectoral" pose/parameters tab thing.
    *invisible genesis, working on lights101 class by Szark.

    PecControls101.png
    1270 x 673 - 86K
  • Tarina KiviTarina Kivi Posts: 488
    edited July 2014

    @Novica: I really like the surfing Jaina image. The water looks very good.

    @zarcondeegrissom: I like the second render better. Phoebe looks very nice in it.

    Post edited by Tarina Kivi on
  • NovicaNovica Posts: 23,895
    edited December 1969

    Tarina Kivi said:
    @Novica: I really like the surfing Jaina image. The water look very good.

    Thanks. The Oasis (Easy Environments) quickly became my "Gotta remember that for water" when it worked like that out of the box with the lighting that was included.

  • ZarconDeeGrissomZarconDeeGrissom Posts: 5,412
    edited June 2014

    Tarina Kivi said:
    @Novica: I really like the surfing Jaina image. The water look very good.

    @zarcondeegrissom: I like the second render better. Phoebe looks very nice in it.


    Thanks as well, I just wish I didn't have that shadow across her face from her nose. Part of the reason I'm taking that Uber light course, lol.
    I've done all I can with can lights (spot), and need to graduate on.
    (edit)
    The different light renders do show how she reacts to low, and bright lights.
    Post edited by ZarconDeeGrissom on
  • NovicaNovica Posts: 23,895
    edited June 2014

    I'm doing something more with the oasis, as I didn't give that one a good showcase. It was just the water. So I'm doing more of a panoramic for you, with the gal swimming and in the water. You'll see how pretty the sky is, and it comes with a tent that I made sure to include in the scene. Will take awhile- starting the render then out the door for awhile.

    EDIT: 46% at an hour and a half. Looking good.

    Post edited by Novica on
  • ZarconDeeGrissomZarconDeeGrissom Posts: 5,412
    edited June 2014

    Check your e-mail before you make a purchase, unlike I just did. Douh!

    Some are getting a cool chair set with purchases. Otherwise it costs to get something to sit and rest on.
    http://www.daz3d.com/the-chair-collection

    I just picked up Shape Shift for G2F
    http://www.daz3d.com/shape-shift-for-genesis2-female-base-and-v6
    And that cool chair set. That also dose it for the rest of the month, everything else in my wishlist will have to wait.

    I chose that Morph pack, because, Unlike all the others that just show you an example of the end result, the morph pack from Zev0 actually has a Video to show you what morph sliders you get. Proof that the Morph pack is not just a small sample of non-adjustable presets.

    Post edited by ZarconDeeGrissom on
  • NovicaNovica Posts: 23,895
    edited June 2014

    zarcondeegrissom said:
    Check your e-mail before you make a purchase, unlike I just did. Douh!

    Some are getting a cool chair set with purchases. Otherwise it costs to get something to sit and rest on.
    http://www.daz3d.com/the-chair-collection

    Free for PC members apparently. Although the PC discount isn't right, it's the full amount.

    discount.jpg
    1200 x 517 - 57K
    Post edited by Novica on
  • fixmypcmikefixmypcmike Posts: 19,585
    edited December 1969

    Novica said:
    zarcondeegrissom said:
    Check your e-mail before you make a purchase, unlike I just did. Douh!

    Some are getting a cool chair set with purchases. Otherwise it costs to get something to sit and rest on.
    http://www.daz3d.com/the-chair-collection

    Free for PC members apparently. Although the PC discount isn't right, it's the full amount.

    No, as Jared explained, non-PC members get the 30% intro discount, so they would only pay $6.27.

  • NovicaNovica Posts: 23,895
    edited June 2014

    Yep, I was going to post that but just got back home. :)

    Here's a shot showing The Oasis with a bit of postwork. Lights aren't quite the default set, I used a bit more blue. Surface setting on the water was taken off the darker gray to a lighter blue.

    Took over 3 hours to render. CLICK TO ENLARGE.

    oasis1.jpg
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    oasis2brite2.jpg
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    Post edited by Novica on
  • NovicaNovica Posts: 23,895
    edited June 2014

    Tested Keshi again, didn't use Advanced Ambient lights and just added a spotlight to compensate for it, all the shadows had the .25 shadow bias in Parameters>Shadows, the shading rate is .20, the surfaces all match for leg and hip, etc. There is no reason for those bands. Anyway, glad the rest of you aren't getting the banding and not going to worry about it. Moving on :)

    EDIT: Tested another light set, same one used for The Oasis, and still have same area of banding/splotching. Now I'm done testing. I'll just make sure the thighs are covered.

    legs2.jpg
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    legs.jpg
    614 x 900 - 135K
    Post edited by Novica on
  • NovicaNovica Posts: 23,895
    edited June 2014

    Thought I'd share the fun I had playing around with Foto Sketcher.

    Click to enlarge- all are 2,000 pixels.

    oasis2brite2Pt5Watr.jpg
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    oasis2brite2Cart1.jpg
    2000 x 1116 - 597K
    oasis2brite2EdgeDark.jpg
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    oasis2brite2Pencil5.jpg
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    oasis2brite2Antique.jpg
    2000 x 1116 - 481K
    Post edited by Novica on
  • IndigoJansonIndigoJanson Posts: 1,100
    edited December 1969

    I love what you've done with that post-work on The Oasis. I especially like the first one (looks stormy and moody) and the last.

    Foto Sketcher looks fun, I'm going to have to look that one out, thanks Novica for bringing it to my attention.

  • IndigoJansonIndigoJanson Posts: 1,100
    edited December 1969

    Novica said:
    Tested Keshi again, didn't use Advanced Ambient lights and just added a spotlight to compensate for it, all the shadows had the .25 shadow bias in Parameters>Shadows, the shading rate is .20, the surfaces all match for leg and hip, etc. There is no reason for those bands. Anyway, glad the rest of you aren't getting the banding and not going to worry about it. Moving on :)

    EDIT: Tested another light set, same one used for The Oasis, and still have same area of banding/splotching. Now I'm done testing. I'll just make sure the thighs are covered.

    I missed this discussion earlier but I've also see banding on Olympia and other G2F with the skin SSS on, and yes it's especially noticeable on the thighs.

  • NovicaNovica Posts: 23,895
    edited December 1969

    Jindi said:
    I love what you've done with that post-work on The Oasis. I especially like the first one (looks stormy and moody) and the last. Foto Sketcher looks fun, I'm going to have to look that one out, thanks Novica for bringing it to my attention.

    FotoSketcher is a safe download and FREE :) That first one is called something like "vintage" I think. It's funny that you chose that one because it's my favorite of the group. There are sliders where you can determine the amount of the effect, which I love.

    Thought I would feature DAZ stuff so you can use your coupons if you like the products.

    Lotus (DAZ3D / Silver / Countess)
    Romance Hair (DAZ3D)
    Peplum Dress and Blossom Shoes for Genesis 2 Female(s) (DAZ 3D / Bobbie25 / Sarsa)

    http://www.daz3d.com/lotus
    http://www.daz3d.com/romance-hair
    http://www.daz3d.com/peplum-dress-and-blossom-shoes-for-genesis-2-female-s

    Here's my test render of the Aiko 6 figure Lotus, but done on Genesis 2 Female as I don't have Aiko 6. The eyebrows are a bit cartoonish, not as realistic as the eyebrows I normally buy, but the figure would be acceptable in a crowd/distance render and she is very easy to light. Again, she's one of the PC+ store vendors and I got her for slightly over $2 with the summer promo stacking.

    If you have Jepes Rodan, try those lights for a portrait, change the shadows to raytrace, and add one distant light from the front and start at about 28%. I only added that one light, and it did fine. http://www.daz3d.com/jepes-rodan-m4

    Lotus.jpg
    513 x 826 - 280K
This discussion has been closed.