NEW! Novica & Invited Guest Contributors Tips & Product Reviews Pt 5
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Payments are down
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/51734/
And now fixed
Invited Guest Contributor
SG HeadDresses for Genesis - http://www.daz3d.com/sg-headdresses-for-genesis
I haven't had time to redo this bigger, but here's something I picked up in the Genesis sale last week. This handy product by smay isn't expensive even at full price though, and has a lot in it. It includes the 2 styles of scarf seen here, an over-the-head shawl, goggles (pictured), a flat cap, a knitted hat, 2 over the nose masks (think Ninja), and a bandana.
My toons wanted to model these... as you can hopefully tell, they will be great for realistic characters too. I was pleased that I could adjust them to fit these non-standard shapes, and they have fits for the standard ones plus of course Mavka and the Chibi Boy and Girl.
There are lots of texture choices but you can also tweak these to work with your choice of outfit, which is what I've done here.
Ooooh... you should illustrate a book with these two! I really love the lighting too. You did a marvelous job with the fit- kudos!
Cara HD For Victoria 6 (Raiya)
Cyra Hair For Genesis 2 Female(s) (Nikisatez)
Fayre for Genesis Female(s)
Road To Drengallen (Predatron)
http://www.daz3d.com/cara-hd-for-victoria-6
http://www.daz3d.com/cyra-hair-for-genesis-2-female-s
http://www.daz3d.com/fayre-for-genesis-female-s
http://www.daz3d.com/road-to-drengallen
Raiya hit a home run with Cara, she's stunning. Easy to light and features are quite pretty from different angles, without any tweaking at all.
Cyra Hair renders slowly, it's rather an overnighter type of hair if you're doing shading rates of .20 or .30 (this is .20) and large renders. I have a closeup in progress for you and it will be tonight before it's done. The full length one below took 6 hours plus, I left it and went to snooze. (Large render of 1600 pixels)
Lighting: Kept it simple. 4 distant lights. 3 blue-grays, 1 mauve.
Really happy with the Depth of Field- see the rock bottom left corner? :) Got the foreground and background fuzzed out. Whee!
The Fayre outfit has such beautiful flow, and quite a few adjustments. Wish the outer see through overlay on the skirt had more than five options though. (Five or so, rendering the closeup so can't check at the moment.)
If you don't have Road To Drengallen, wishlist it. It has so many options with changing the camera view- you can rotate around and really get a different feel of things. Try putting someone under the bridge, by the arch of the hole, or over by the rocks. And hint, Bay Bushes look really good with this scene too, I plopped some in front of the rocks to get more vegetation and tested in a small render. (Took out for this one so you'd see what the actual set looks like.)
So will add the closeup of the face/hair later today/this evening. 35 minutes and only 15%, barely started on the hair.
LARGE RENDER- click to enlarge/click again. Look at the pattern on the dress, very pretty.
EDIT: The closeup is only at 18% after 3 hours. EDIT: I canceled it- it was at 23% after 5 hours. it's slowing down other things that I need to do on my computer, aka, file work and videos. Can't devote anymore time to it.
I haven't bought it yet (budget already blown for this month) but I am impressed with Mystics. The makeup options really appeal to me and the skin texture and eyebrows (of course) look very natural. So this one for me is a "hit." Thumbs up.
http://www.daz3d.com/mystics-for-genesis-2-female-s
Now to broach a question, as a variety of opinions are always good. Do you like the larger jawbone areas/angles, and wider cheek areas on some of these newer females? (And yes, we all know that they can be changed with morphs- I'm talking out of the box.)
I rarely have a reaction of "This one seems out of proportion to me." But IMO I don't think there's enough chin to pull this off without tweaking it with morphs. The mouth is lower and there's not much chin to speak of. What is your reaction to this one?
http://www.daz3d.com/eliza-for-genesis-2-female-s
For comparison- Trying to find an example of more jaw/cheeks- this one to me has the right balance. The rounded, more pointed chin makes the jaw work. The mouth is up a bit further.
http://www.daz3d.com/hedvig
This has the larger jaw, though not as much as Eliza- and the chin balances it better IMO. The cheeks are pronounced. Some of the promos look better than others. The mouth is up further, so there is more chin.
http://www.daz3d.com/ivanna-for-genesis-2-female-s
Does anyone have Eliza, Hedvig, or Ivanna? Have you applied morphs? Would love to see different angles of them. And do you like their styles?
I bought Hedvig, although I haven't used her yet. I have noticed the differences in facial structure, but I usually chalk it up to the Vendor's personal style. For example, Emma and Jordi characters tend to have larger eyes.
The size of the chin, length of the jaw can have a lot to do with whether a character looks younger or more feminine. As an example of a character with a more prominent jaw/chin:
http://www.daz3d.com/heroine-for-genesis-2-female
Thanks Novica, those two are fun to work with! I did a fair bit of postwork to get the look I was after though.
Cara is one gorgeous model and looks like she has some personality too. Nice work with your depth of field too. I've had Road To Drengallen on the wishlist a while, and it survived the recent pruning so I definitely plan to get it one of these days. :)
I'm not much of a fan of pointy or non-existent chins on realistic female characters. I like stronger faces that have character, rather than baby faces on women's bodies. (I make exceptions for faeries.) But beauty comes in all shapes and sizes so I guess we're fortunate to have a choice of vendors with different styles.
Hedvig struck me as a classic Hollywood beauty, the new Ivanna is striking and I could see her as a superheroine, with Eliza I got the catwalk model vibe and that's OK too. However, I still like Olympia best out of the G2F family for an attractive real-world woman.
Yeah, this one struck me as very masculine, but that's an opinion only. :)
Agree- it's good to have a variety. Would be boring if they were all botox babes or chiseled warriors.
Would love to see Hedvig when/if you get her rendered.
I agree with most of that Jindi, and very nice render (even tho mentioned that elsewhere already, lol). I have not looked at that set yet, thanks Novica.
Cara, I have her somewhere, and have not rendered her yet for some reason, probably in the mountain of stuff I've yet to un-wrap the past two months. :red:
The only one I have in my wishlist from your list Novica is Ivanna (new PA for me). Mystics has escaped my attention, tho I have other gypsyangel figures (Adrianna, Parisa, Malakai -lee6). "O" she is new, and I thought she was a different type of product, that's why, lol. btw, Izarra is in my will-buy list (nice face shape and makeup options).
I opted for "Emma Lee" over Eliza in my wishlist. Emma looks a tad more human then fay, and Emma reminds me of "Kalini for Mei Lin 6" that I already have. not a complete dislike, I just have other 'needs' at the moment for my fledgling collection.
Hedvig strikes me as a doll or a Barby of sorts. My apologies, not exactly my style.
tjohn; I thoroughly agree. As fond as I am of EJ quality and attention to details. Unless I put the makeup on, and/or name them in the scene tab, I can not tell the six of there figures I have apart in the View-field. There all incredibly good, and quite similar.
Looking at the flood of recent figures, I almost feel as if a comment I made months ago, was misunderstood. I like Olympia allot, and especially the six add-on figures. A chin and nose shape that has somewhat been ignored since. Heroine is close, tho the head is a tad thin, and the body&head; proportions just seams off for my tastes. I may still dabble with that entire bundle tho.
I ironically spent the last of my play funds this month on Cassia's hair used in a few promos. Something I must finish porting to Studio some day (thanks DestinysGarden). http://www.daz3d.com/forums/viewreply/743736/
Invited Guest Contributor
I've not been by for a while, so I thought I'd make a post with a bit of a Fisty-fest.
I picked up the Aelflaed's Fancy Shaders a couple of days ago and this is my first look. The dress uses one of the brocade shader presets and the drapery one of the matching sheers. I've also used some of the leather presets on the gloves and the beads and strings of the dress. I love this set of shaders and I'm sure I'll get a lot of use out of them - I have nearly all of Fisty's shader products and use them a lot. I also used some of the trusty go-to Gemologica shader presets by Fisty/Marieah on the necklace - I click on those icons so often I'm surprised they haven't worn out!
The dress is Corvidae a PC Product by Mada/Sarsa. The necklace is from Medieval Fantasy Accessories for G2F and the gloves from Evening Gown for G2F both PC Products from Ravenhair. The character is a modified FW Monie a DO by FWArt - modified in that I've de-Girl'd the settings a bit. The hair is Riva Updo Hair with Riva Updo Hair Color by SWAM - I finally picked up the Glamorous Riva Bundle in the Avalanche of Savings deal with the Aeflaed Shaders. The backdrop and lighting are from Photo Studio by InaneGlory - I think I may have the lights a little too bright for the skin, but I was more interested in showing off the shaders on the clothing.
And to wade in on the chins question: I'd not noticed that until you mentioned it, but I'm not too keen on those low-set mouths - makes them look a bit miserable to me. I haven't got any of the ones you mentioned - I'm an Olympia fan too thugh.
Invited Guest Contributor
Speaking of recent sales, here are a couple of pics of other recent acquisitions I'd not got round to posting before.
I picked up the Elemental Jewelry by EmmaAndJordi in the Ironclad sale - here are a couple of the elements: fire and water with some of the texture variants.
The character is FWSA Riva by FWArt/Sabby with Riva Updo hair as in my last post (proceeds of the Avalanche sale). I removed the front ringlets to make the earrings clearer - the hair has some handy morphs for restyling. The dress is Superdress and Leggings for G2F by Dogz, which I finally picked up last month after a long spell wishlisted. The backdrop is from Photo Studio by InaneGlory but this time I used Age of Armour's Advanced Distant Light (for a quicker render option).
I really like the hair- it flows very nicely and I like your lighting too.
Melanie- I got those shaders too- haven't had a chance to play. (As we speak, I am climbing up and down a ladder, still painting the house! You folks are making it hard to concentrate on what I'm doing- these renders are fun!!) Did the Riva Hair take awhile for you? I think I remember when I did it, it seemed pretty slow. But I'm not sure as it was over six months ago I think. I love the details in it, quite stunning. And that jewelry- love love love it. I haven't used that yet either. I can't decide what my favorite piece is, all of it is delightful. Anyone who hasn't bothered checking out the promos really should do so, to see the variety in the set. Thanks for posting that. :)
I love the gloves with Corvidae. Great kit bashing! :)
Well, here's a piece I did just last week with the Sapping Asian Interiors set. This is my first completed piece using this set, and the set not only makes up the interior of the building, but also exterior, I did end up making some columns out of cube primitives, and "borrowed" a roof from another set, but overall, the dojo came out nearly perfect, and really goes to show just how versatile this set can be.
@Novica - when you're finished painting your house, can you come and do mine? (I used to LOVE interior decorating but the "gloss" has worn off for me now - our place is desperately in need of a re-paint! We employ decorators for the outside so at least that does get done fairly regularly)
The render with Photo Studio lighting took quite a long time (over 30 minutes - which being an impatient person I consider "quite long") but with Advanced Distants it was pretty quick actually - I've just run the Aelflaed scene again with one Advanced Distant light and it only took 4 minutes 11 seconds - so the hair seems to be OK (I did no surface flagging or anything, just let it run).
@Tramp Graphics - thanks for showing those Snapping pieces - I was really tempted to grab them when they first came out but had already blown my budget - wishlisted for "one day"!
Female characters tend to have a similar look to me. Adult bodies with baby-faced female heads and large eyes. Not my cuppa. It is almost over done to me especially since it just doesn't look believable to me. But apparently they sell like hotcakes so just don't get it. =-)
Eliza is beautiful to me because she breaks the mold. Plus she looks like someone I might actually see walking down the street. I think she looks quite feminine to me. =-) But as they say looks are in the eyes of the beholder. =-)
I too was tempted by the Mystics . Those skins are lovely. But the truth is I have so many unused Caucasian female skins, I haven't used yet I'm not buying female figures unless there is something really unique there.
LOL- yeah, I think you and I could easily populate a football stadium with all the characters we have already. :)
And I don't think you'd like the style I'm about to adopt Melanie- I'm about to take the lid off a can of paint and THROW it at the wall, I'm so tired of this :)
I guess next week must be the new female character's debut week. :) wasn't there an ad about buying something in a sale and getting the figure at discount? Only one more week this is is possible to make it this month...
Thanks MelanieL, those are two of my favorites from the set. =)
And yeah, Riva hair takes a good while to render with all the curls, I think it's my favorite from SWAM though, and I have easily over 50 of her hair models.
It probably seems ironic that I agree with you, considering my avatar! LOL. I've always made a distinction though between toon-style dolls and 'real women', and I've never been comfortable with the overly doll-like women. They need to be one or the other for me.
@MelanieL, shaders are looking great on that dress, somehow I was sure you would have picked these ones up! I couldn't resist them either. I've used them in my render for Llola Lane's 'Blue' challenge: http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/50455/P15/
@Tramp Graphics, that does look like a versatile set, I like the Japanese style interiors that were released and hope to get them one of these days.
@ZDG, thanks, and you did a good job with Cassia's hair. Have you noticed though how very dark, shiny hair will sometimes look like it has strands of silver through it?
MelanieL, I really like that render, looks good. nice balance between the figure and the background, choice of colors, and all. :-)
Jindi, that is simply how Studio tries to interpret the Poser surface textures. It's not enough to just save it as a DUF, the settings are completely different. It is part of what I still need to do to port the hair to Studio, and then from V4 to G2F. I still can't figure out why the re-saved DUF colors are not showing up in the smart tab when the hair is selected, and I've been a tad buisy with many projects at once.
RRRR, today I think is the final day to vote. :coolsmile:
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/51271/
Ah, OK. The style looks really good on Cassia. What lovely eyes that character has.
@Fisty - no, thank YOU! As I said I have and regularly use a lot of your stuff - I still love the Sparkles shaders from way back, and I all your jewellery.
@Jindi - ah, I just saw that one in Llola Lane's thread - looking nice! No I can barely resist a set of shaders or jewels!
@zarcondeegrissom - thanks. I've noticed how busy you've been on many other threads..
@Novica - well, throwing paint at the wall - maybe I could try that?! It would solve my time constraints :)
You could call it the "Pollock decor" style, lol.
(edit)
I like Cassia for way more then just her eyes, tho I think they have already been covered before my time. Mouth, chin, nose, etc.
It probably seems ironic that I agree with you, considering my avatar! LOL. I've always made a distinction though between toon-style dolls and 'real women', and I've never been comfortable with the overly doll-like women. They need to be one or the other for me.
Agreed. But don't feel it too ironic, You are absolutely right. . Toons are toons, and their features are intentionally exaggerated. But so many female characters here are done fusion-style, it is boilerplate now.. I haven't seen a female character with say....narrow more mature eyes made in some time. =-)
Invited Guest Contributor
Hedvig
http://www.daz3d.com/hedvig
Hedvig has a "SuperModel" style body (large bust, long legs) so if you plan to use her as is, you may need to have this product in your arsenal for some upper body clothing to get a good fit:
Clothing Breast Fixes For Genesis 2 Female
http://www.daz3d.com/clothing-breast-fixes-for-genesis-2-female
The head and body morphs can be used separately, so any body type can be substituted, if desired.
Below are 3 different takes on the character "out of the box" to give some idea of versatility.
Also used:
Cici Hair for Genesis 2 Female(s)
http://www.daz3d.com/cici-hair-for-genesis-2-female-s
Allure Dress for Genesis 2 Female(s)
http://www.daz3d.com/allure-dress-for-genesis-2-female-s
Pump It Up
http://www.daz3d.com/pump-it-up
Boudoir Photo Studio and Lights
http://www.daz3d.com/boudoir-photo-studio-and-lights
'Perfect 10' Sitting Poses for Genesis 2 Female(s)
http://www.daz3d.com/perfect-10-sitting-poses-for-genesis-2-female-s
Be Pacific
http://www.daz3d.com/be-pacific
Sultry Hair for Genesis and Genesis 2 Females
http://www.daz3d.com/sultry-hair-for-genesis-and-genesis-2-females
Micah Hair
http://www.daz3d.com/micah-hair
Casual Jeans and T-Shirt for Genesis and Genesis 2 Female(s)
http://www.daz3d.com/casual-jeans-and-t-shirt-for-genesis-2-female-s
All lighting is AOA Advanced Lights
Advanced DAZ Studio Light Bundle
http://www.daz3d.com/advanced-daz-studio-light-bundle
John
@TJohn. Nice images, and clothing choices, and I love the lighting. Great work! =-)
Thanks!
I think she's very attractive, seeing your renders. Has a strong personality given her body build, but still retains that sensuality due to the curves. I'll reduce the bust whenever I purchase her, but love the long legs and the calves are very nicely done.
I've always thought the name for the Sultry Hair was weird. I think of that as coming sexily over the eye, like a peek-a-boo style. The upswept seems more sophisticated. I bet it's hard naming hair though- so many names, obvious ones, already taken. Hey, how about
Tjohn Tresses
Jindis Juxtaposed Hair or Jindis Jubilee
SereneNights Saucy Strands
Melanies Masterful Mop (LOL)
Novicas Narcotic Nightmare Hair (think of a tye-dye frizzy mess)