Anyone Know How to Use: Easy Light and Render - Silhouettes

Fauvist

Anyone Know How to Use:  Easy Light and Render - Silhouettes https://www.daz3d.com/easy-light-and-render--silhouettes

Except for a couple of "tips", there's no instructions or tutorial.  There's a ton of settings.  I've tried experimenting with it, but I can't figure out how to get it to work.

Thanks

Linwelly

basically you set up the scene as usual but then you choose the parts in your scene you want to have the same silhouette colour in the surfaces tab and click on the respective shader preset from that product, best be used with one of the HDRI from that product but it works with others as well. there is also some of those shaders which will make them sort of see through like a ghost shader but without showing the internal surfaces. You can as well decide if you want those props/figueres completely as silhouette or if some of the original texture should remain.

There are some pose presets included for typical silhouettes but there is no need to apply them and then I think there are those frames? I don't have it open and available right now so I don't remember all of that

It's a lot of testing what looks good in which combination but the reuslts are very cool

Fauvist

I'm supoosed to be getting a plain white bakground and I'm getting a transparent background.  I've turned the dome visible, and turned it invisible and it doesn't make any difference.

Okay, I clicked on a lot of settings and finally got some kind of background.  But I clicked for the GROUND to be off, and I render it, and the ground is on.  It doesn't make any sense.

Linwelly

I believe you need to put the background settings to type: Backdrop to see those, I will test that tomorrow

how to find that setting is described in this thread, because that's a different Environment pane than the one in render settings

https://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/110746/how-do-i-add-background-images

 

Fauvist

Linwelly said:

I believe you need to put the background settings to type: Backdrop to see those, I will test that tomorrow

how to find that setting is described in this thread, because that's a different Environment pane than the one in render settings

https://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/110746/how-do-i-add-background-images

 

Thank you for helping me.  I followed your links and was able to open the Environments pane, but when I click the icon for the background I want from this Silhouettes product, nothing happens.  The background doesn't load anything.

Fauvist

I checked to make sure DIM loaded the files in the correct folders, and it did.  So I looked in the Textures folder for the product.  There are only 6 textures for the product, and they all have the file extension .hdr, so I manually loaded the white texture .hdr into the ENVIRONMENT MAP slider in the RENDER pane, and it worked.  I was able to render the figure with a plain white background.------BUT, none of the other clickable setting do anything.  They don't change the color of the background.   In the SCENE PANE, I don't know what I'm supposed to have selected when I click on any of the settings.  The ENVIRONMENT OPTIONS that I loaded have nothing of any use.  I don't know what's supposed to be in there, but there isn't anything except generic Transforms and Display options, which don't do anything.  THIS PRODUCT REALLY NEEDS INSTRUCTIONS OR A TUTORIAL.  It's really really frustrating.

 

Linwelly

so what I told you about the Background was nonsense, sorry about that

when I click on the background settings of the tool (here I used H) those appear in the environment map (setting on Dome and Scene here and Dome on)

see screenshots attached.  these are not visible in the preview to me

So I'm not sure why it's not working with you, which version of DAZ do you use? I am currently on 4.20 but it worked on the previouse official as well

Fauvist

Linwelly said:

 

So I'm not sure why it's not working with you, which version of DAZ do you use? I am currently on 4.20 but it worked on the previouse official as well

I'm using DAZ Studio 4.12.1 Public Build BETA.  Upgrading DAZ Studio causes problems.  The last time I tried to upgrade, GenX wouldn't work.  This Silhouette product seems simple enough, I don't see why it would need the latest DS version.  I'm sort of done with upgrading computers and graphic cards and memory just for DS.  I'll check when I bought this Silhouette product and return it if I can.   

Fauvist

Yeah, I can return it.

Linwelly

I can realte to not wanting the constant press on the hardware that comes with new software updates. In this case I believe there was a change in iray shader processing in one of the later updates, which might cause this for you to be troublesome, but then the shader itself seemed to work, it was the use of the Environment that messed up.

Sorry that I couldn't be of any real help though

Fauvist

Linwelly said:

I can realte to not wanting the constant press on the hardware that comes with new software updates. In this case I believe there was a change in iray shader processing in one of the later updates, which might cause this for you to be troublesome, but then the shader itself seemed to work, it was the use of the Environment that messed up.

Sorry that I couldn't be of any real help though

@Linwelly  I've being trying to get it to work, and I've managed to get a lot of the functionality to work.  I can't do the main thing, which is click the icon and have an hdr load, but I can do that manually.   Some of the stuff just doesn't work, but I can get the contrast, bloom, and background colour to work.  Thank you.  I'm not going to return it.  Without your help, I would have just instantly asked for a refund.  But I can get enough of it to work to make it worth keeping.

3Diva

Fauvist said:

Linwelly said:

I can realte to not wanting the constant press on the hardware that comes with new software updates. In this case I believe there was a change in iray shader processing in one of the later updates, which might cause this for you to be troublesome, but then the shader itself seemed to work, it was the use of the Environment that messed up.

Sorry that I couldn't be of any real help though

@Linwelly  I've being trying to get it to work, and I've managed to get a lot of the functionality to work.  I can't do the main thing, which is click the icon and have an hdr load, but I can do that manually.   Some of the stuff just doesn't work, but I can get the contrast, bloom, and background colour to work.  Thank you.  I'm not going to return it.  Without your help, I would have just instantly asked for a refund.  But I can get enough of it to work to make it worth keeping.

Hi! This thread was just brought to my attention. I see the issue with 4.12. Daz Studio has changed a bit since that version, and some functionality of how the render settings (environment options and tone mapping especially) are different in how they work and operate in newer versions of Daz Studio. So some of the settings for the latest versions of Daz Studio aren't available in some of the older versions. As a content creator for Daz3D, I have to create and test my products to be compatible with the latest versions of Daz Studio, so sadly some of the settings might need to be manually applied for versions of Daz Studio that are quite a bit older.

I do still have an older version (version 4.12.0.85) of Daz Studio installed on my computer, so if you'd like I can attempt to set up some of the render settings (like the HDRI loading) that could be compatible with that older version of Daz Studio and send those settings to you. Let me know. :)

3Diva

Linwelly said:

I can realte to not wanting the constant press on the hardware that comes with new software updates. In this case I believe there was a change in iray shader processing in one of the later updates, which might cause this for you to be troublesome, but then the shader itself seemed to work, it was the use of the Environment that messed up.

Sorry that I couldn't be of any real help though

This thread was just brought to my attention, so I wasn't able to respond until now. Thank you SO MUCH for helping out! I really appreciate you taking the time to help out Fauvist!

You're right, the Environment options are different in the older versions of Daz Studio than they are now. The newer versions of Daz Studio have the Environment Options and Tone Mapping Options set up differently. So some of the settings might need to be manually applied (like the HDRIs) if one is using an older version of Daz Studio.

Thank you again for your help! You're a sweetheart! 

3Diva

Fauvist said:

Linwelly said:

I can realte to not wanting the constant press on the hardware that comes with new software updates. In this case I believe there was a change in iray shader processing in one of the later updates, which might cause this for you to be troublesome, but then the shader itself seemed to work, it was the use of the Environment that messed up.

Sorry that I couldn't be of any real help though

@Linwelly  I've being trying to get it to work, and I've managed to get a lot of the functionality to work.  I can't do the main thing, which is click the icon and have an hdr load, but I can do that manually.   Some of the stuff just doesn't work, but I can get the contrast, bloom, and background colour to work.  Thank you.  I'm not going to return it.  Without your help, I would have just instantly asked for a refund.  But I can get enough of it to work to make it worth keeping.

Here are some settings (attached as a ZIP) that should load the HDRIs and put them in the right positions for your version of Daz Studio. Let me know if you have any trouble with them and if there are any other settings that aren't working with your version of Daz Studio and I'll see what I can do. :)

Unzip it, open the "Content" folder, and then drop the "Light Presets" folder into your Daz Studio Library. You should then be able to find the new settings under "Light Presets" within the "Easy Light and Render - Silhouettes" product folder.

Fauvist

Hi 3Diva, thank you for responding personally.  My problem with the product is my own fault because I don't have the latest version of DS installed - but all DAZ content says the only compatible version is 4.2 - even content that's 10 years old - so it creates absolute chaos.  One of my family died and a lot of them are in Ukraine so a large part of my frustration is just my own grief and worrying.  I'll try again tomorrow with the silhouette product and the new file you gave me - or I may find a way to install the latest DAZ STUDIO version along with the one I already have.  I'll repost after I try.  Thanks again.

Linwelly

My condolences! I'm sorry to hear you're directly affected by the war, I hope everybody can get to safety! if you need somewhere to vent, or talk, feel free to send me a message

3Diva

Fauvist said:

Hi 3Diva, thank you for responding personally.  My problem with the product is my own fault because I don't have the latest version of DS installed - but all DAZ content says the only compatible version is 4.2 - even content that's 10 years old - so it creates absolute chaos.  One of my family died and a lot of them are in Ukraine so a large part of my frustration is just my own grief and worrying.  I'll try again tomorrow with the silhouette product and the new file you gave me - or I may find a way to install the latest DAZ STUDIO version along with the one I already have.  I'll repost after I try.  Thanks again.

I'm so sorry for the loss of your family member. I know how incredibly hard that is. And the fact that you have family in a war zone now, I can only imagine what you must be going through. You and the people of Ukraine are in my prayers. I pray that this madness ends soon and that a peaceful end can be brought about. 

Take care of yourself, as the mental and physical stress can be a lot. I hope you take some "you time" to destress and give yourself a lot of self-care. *big hugs*

Fauvist

Linwelly said:

My condolences! I'm sorry to hear you're directly affected by the war, I hope everybody can get to safety! if you need somewhere to vent, or talk, feel free to send me a message

Thank you @Linwelly, that's so good of you. I won't burden you with messages.  I've decided to just stop watching any news for a while. 

Fauvist

3Diva said:

Fauvist said:

Linwelly said:

I can realte to not wanting the constant press on the hardware that comes with new software updates. In this case I believe there was a change in iray shader processing in one of the later updates, which might cause this for you to be troublesome, but then the shader itself seemed to work, it was the use of the Environment that messed up.

Sorry that I couldn't be of any real help though

@Linwelly  I've being trying to get it to work, and I've managed to get a lot of the functionality to work.  I can't do the main thing, which is click the icon and have an hdr load, but I can do that manually.   Some of the stuff just doesn't work, but I can get the contrast, bloom, and background colour to work.  Thank you.  I'm not going to return it.  Without your help, I would have just instantly asked for a refund.  But I can get enough of it to work to make it worth keeping.

Here are some settings (attached as a ZIP) that should load the HDRIs and put them in the right positions for your version of Daz Studio. Let me know if you have any trouble with them and if there are any other settings that aren't working with your version of Daz Studio and I'll see what I can do. :)

Unzip it, open the "Content" folder, and then drop the "Light Presets" folder into your Daz Studio Library. You should then be able to find the new settings under "Light Presets" within the "Easy Light and Render - Silhouettes" product folder.

I really appreciate you doing this.  It didn't work, but it's okay. I'll work around the limitations or update my version of DS.  Don't spend any more time or effort on trying to get it to work for me. You've gone above and beyond already!  Many thanks.

3Diva

Fauvist said:

3Diva said:

Fauvist said:

Linwelly said:

I can realte to not wanting the constant press on the hardware that comes with new software updates. In this case I believe there was a change in iray shader processing in one of the later updates, which might cause this for you to be troublesome, but then the shader itself seemed to work, it was the use of the Environment that messed up.

Sorry that I couldn't be of any real help though

@Linwelly  I've being trying to get it to work, and I've managed to get a lot of the functionality to work.  I can't do the main thing, which is click the icon and have an hdr load, but I can do that manually.   Some of the stuff just doesn't work, but I can get the contrast, bloom, and background colour to work.  Thank you.  I'm not going to return it.  Without your help, I would have just instantly asked for a refund.  But I can get enough of it to work to make it worth keeping.

Here are some settings (attached as a ZIP) that should load the HDRIs and put them in the right positions for your version of Daz Studio. Let me know if you have any trouble with them and if there are any other settings that aren't working with your version of Daz Studio and I'll see what I can do. :)

Unzip it, open the "Content" folder, and then drop the "Light Presets" folder into your Daz Studio Library. You should then be able to find the new settings under "Light Presets" within the "Easy Light and Render - Silhouettes" product folder.

I really appreciate you doing this.  It didn't work, but it's okay. I'll work around the limitations or update my version of DS.  Don't spend any more time or effort on trying to get it to work for me. You've gone above and beyond already!  Many thanks.

Did you try the settings in the new folder named "1.5 HDRI Settings for DS 4.12 - ELR Silhouettes"?

Fauvist

3Diva said:

Fauvist said:

3Diva said:

Fauvist said:

Linwelly said:

I can realte to not wanting the constant press on the hardware that comes with new software updates. In this case I believe there was a change in iray shader processing in one of the later updates, which might cause this for you to be troublesome, but then the shader itself seemed to work, it was the use of the Environment that messed up.

Sorry that I couldn't be of any real help though

@Linwelly  I've being trying to get it to work, and I've managed to get a lot of the functionality to work.  I can't do the main thing, which is click the icon and have an hdr load, but I can do that manually.   Some of the stuff just doesn't work, but I can get the contrast, bloom, and background colour to work.  Thank you.  I'm not going to return it.  Without your help, I would have just instantly asked for a refund.  But I can get enough of it to work to make it worth keeping.

Here are some settings (attached as a ZIP) that should load the HDRIs and put them in the right positions for your version of Daz Studio. Let me know if you have any trouble with them and if there are any other settings that aren't working with your version of Daz Studio and I'll see what I can do. :)

Unzip it, open the "Content" folder, and then drop the "Light Presets" folder into your Daz Studio Library. You should then be able to find the new settings under "Light Presets" within the "Easy Light and Render - Silhouettes" product folder.

I really appreciate you doing this.  It didn't work, but it's okay. I'll work around the limitations or update my version of DS.  Don't spend any more time or effort on trying to get it to work for me. You've gone above and beyond already!  Many thanks.

Did you try the settings in the new folder named "1.5 HDRI Settings for DS 4.12 - ELR Silhouettes"?

It works now.  Maybe it was just a matter of restarting the computer before it would work.  The only thing that doesn't work is the fog settings.  Also, in the SCENE PANE there is loaded TONEMAPPER OPTIONS and ENVIRONMENT OPTIONS.  They don't seem to do anything, or else, I don't know what to adjust to make something happen.

Linwelly

The fog settings have been introduced to DS in a later edition than the 4.12, so that's probably why there is nothing they can work on, The TONEMAPPER OPTIONS and ENVIRONMENT OPTIONS are something that as well got introduced later but seem to come now with the addon 3Diva made, These actually allow you to safe a scene without the Environmental settings or a scene subset with them, you can ignore them and let them sit in your scene tab for the most part (they mean no harm )

jtorres19749

Hello!  I have the same opinion that Fauvist, there is not enough documentation to really be stress saver and  time less consuming.Even I try to get the same effect of the examples but I can't. I attach the example of the angel with Background L and Shader Ghost 4 and don't get the same result.

Could you give more examples of simple documents a little more?. Please. I also want the Christmas tree effect, how can I achieve it?

note: the blog does not let me attach the file, sorry

 

 

vindazi

Is it possible to get an upddate on how to use the plugin in that justbworks like it is intended? It is kinda frustratng to figure out from this thread how to make it work.

hammerbros2004

I'm agree with windazi, did domeone have a video tutorial for this? i Try some settings and i just got strange result ^^'

drawflesh

@3Diva, I am understanding that you created the Easy Light and Render - Silhouettes asset?
Could you create a simple manual going through the steps to setup a scene. I have the same as all the others (I am on DS4.22), Just a white background, but no ability to set the shaders correctly on the character. That becomes very frustrating and NOT easy.

Basically all other products that use the 'hint' dsa's actually have a message with some information to it. This one doesn't and this makes it totally NOT easy to use. I can't make head nor tails from the options I should use: I got an HDRI loaded, I got the render settings to say: Boom white out....but which ever option I put on my figure, not the figure, nor the hair or clothing will change. I tried to play with the tonemapper and camera settings, but if that is required...why would I need the product? Feeling a lot like Fauvist...(Except for the horendous pain of loss of his family members and the fear and anger over Ukrain's situation, which reminds me of 1938 when Europe was indecisive, when I wasn't born yet, but anyway) to return the product.

Hope you can help out.

Regards,

Mark