CHB Philippa
alienarea
Posts: 526
in The Commons
Unfortunately, I'm very disappointed with https://www.daz3d.com/chb-phillippa-for-genesis-9
Not sure if something is missing, but my manual installation does not have anatomical elements material and only LIE brows.
Is this how she is meant to be?
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Comments
there is only L.I.E. Eyebrows and no anatomical textures listed in the description. This is how she is meant to be. There are dozens of brows in the Genesis 9 Starter Essentials and the Starter Essentials Expansion....
The anatomical elements are part of Genesis 9 Starter Essentials, so there should be a texture, shouldn't it?
Yes, I know the Starter Essentials have many brows. But Genesis 9 and painted brows feels ... clumsy?
The anatomy is there but it is at the discretion of the artist to make a custom texture for them; some artists make textures for both the male and female anatomical elements and some don't make any. As for the brows, the brows are of two kinds: cards (like most non fiber mesh hair pre-genesis 3) or fiber mesh. It actually is a pretty nice selection.
Starter Essentials Expansion, not Starter Essentials, in any event - an add-on product.
A while back, I created UVs that add basic support for the G9 torso UVs to the Daz Anatomical Elements. They might stretch textures (well, they definitely will in the case of the male anatomical elements), there's no overlays, no extra detail, just a new UV option that will allow the torso materials to function without massive seams, but they may be useful. (Vendors are not obliged to provide materials for the anatomical elements, by any means).
https://www.mediafire.com/file/8bg0k5kkuao3vd1/G9F_Genitals_Torso_UVs_20230722.zip
https://www.mediafire.com/file/f0jsj3th9sogvl5/G9M_Genitals_Torso_UVs_20230927.zip
One use case is using Map Transfer to put the textures on the standard genitals UV, from which you can then use an image editor to combine this with another character's anatomical textures. (Using the border of the transferred texture to match the main character skin, then blending into the detailed elements of another character's textures).
I can use another skin on her, no problem. I just feel cheated, that's all.
For the most part, the store works as what is included in the written description is what you get with nothing more and nothing less. The words to look for are "anatomical element textures." It is not a default that they are included and never for characters that are supposed to be minors.
If you look at a product like TMA Kade https://www.daz3d.com/tma-kade-genesis-9, it says in the description that there are brows, stubble, and beard included for example. Additional information is included in the read-me: just so you know, there is a product # on every product page which can be used to reference the readme's on the help page so you can read it before you buy.
As some others pointed out, offering textures for the AE or addons like fiber mesh brows, other body hair etc. is up to the PA. So better check the product description or even the file list linked to the readme to make absolutely sure that you get what you expect. Not getting a complete texture set is something which prevents me from purchasing some characters. On the other hand there are products for G9 which are IMO better then the standard AE included. And those include options to copy the relevant material. So maybe you should take a look if you do not own them already.
Yes, I get it. I decided to cancel my Daz+ a while ago and this was my last purchase order.
To point out again, a character is "complete" without anatomical elements- those are optional. Some PAs add them, or add more than one, and some not at all. It's optional, like the amount of makeup or the type of brows, or whether the PA uses the Daz eyes or makes their own, and so on.
The store page should always list what is included, anatomical elements or not, and I think brow type is usually noted (I always note if its fibermesh or not). There's so many brow add ons I don't think any particular char is limited to a type of brow anymore.
Anyway, the character mentioned is lovely, and it's a disservice to imply it's not complete, or that a buyer is "cheated" if they buy it. If it's not what you wanted/didn't read the extras on the store description page, you can of course get a refund, but the character and the PA who made it was completely honest in its description and its quality.
That is why I use 3rd party gens so I don't have to complain when a character I purchase is incomplete. Different perspectives. I "expect" a character to have textures for the gens. If a PA can't be bothered to create them or is prudish about adding them, then maybe they should stop creating human characters and try something else for the store.
Or maybe everyone needs to concede that the store doesn't entirely revolve around what they personally want.
You might consider a character incomplete without anatomical maps. I consider car or gun props far more incomplete if they don't at least all moving parts you'd be able to see in standard day-to-day operation, because while lack of anatomical maps can be addressed in a few clicks by third-party products, I often have to do extensive remodelling in other applications to fix props that won't move, if I can use them at all. The number of cars I've had to swap out of a scene because their boots ("trunks" to the colonials) are welded shut. I mean, yes, I'll accept that modelling a complete engine to go in the front would massively increase the time and effort required, but opening the rear isn't significantly less important to the functionality of a vehicle prop than the doors opening or the wheels steering.
But apparently enough users are willing to accept that and buy the products anyway to make them viable for both Daz and the vendors, so it's not my call.
As far as shifting to different content types, making different varieties of content can be very different skill sets. Just because someone is a capable character artist doesn't mean that they will be able to sidestep equally competently into making houses or clothes. I speak with quite a few PAs regularly over Discord, and even though many of them are capable character artists, several of them are on record as saying they would have very little idea where to start with a dress.
@alienarea: I always check the forum on products that are in my cart, and without this thread I would have totally missed the LIE brows part, having no fibre-mesh brows is a deal-breaker for me. So I am grateful you started this thread, I always asume characters come with fibre mesh brows these days, apparently was wrong.
@FSMCDesigns: Anatomical elements are not a requirement for me, if they were a requirement in the Daz store, I might have missed some of my favourite characters.
Can you just add anatomical elements from the you know where website?