In fact, I've just started a new thread: Regarding Simulations.... with a demo video of the animations the above images were illustrating. Check it out!
Also started a Physics & Particles page as a resource for us all to learn from. As I explain, I'm fairly new to Physics and Particles in Carrara, so I put in what I know about as far as things to learn from. If you think I'm missing something, please let me know.
I think I like the layout and organization so far - let me know what you think. It's hard to tell when it's my own, and I'm staring at it for long periods - and seeing it on my screen. If any of you have any advice, please feel free to let me know!
I'll be expanding a lot on Dynamic Hair and will be adding Cloth Simulations and adding a bunch to it in the near future, along with video tutorials and demonstrations. Looking forward to that! :)
Did a Lot of work on Fenric's page and updated some things throughout the Plugins pages, including adding a link to Fractal Dimensia's PySwarm
Added a page to host and organize the wonderful video tutorials by my friend, GKDantas (Marcello Teixeira): GKDantas' Carrara Training Videos, but isn't finished yet
Reorganized parts of Carrara Info for better flow - though I think I need to do more. We'll see. I do like how this particular page is turning out, however. Bummer that SciFi Funk's videos have all been taken down. I was going to remove the post links, but plan to see if I can get ahold of the videos through Steve - see if I could possibly host them?
Bummer that SciFi Funk's videos have all been taken down. I was going to remove the post links, but plan to see if I can get ahold of the videos through Steve - see if I could possibly host them?
wish people wouldn't do that, it costs nothing to leave stuff up on YouTube
mind you I get a lot of flack and feedback for removing my seriously crappy stuff
Bummer that SciFi Funk's videos have all been taken down. I was going to remove the post links, but plan to see if I can get ahold of the videos through Steve - see if I could possibly host them?
wish people wouldn't do that, it costs nothing to leave stuff up on YouTube
Yeah, I don't know why he did that. He put all of his energy (which was Awesome Energy!!!) into producing those and his episodes. Bummer.
Bummer that SciFi Funk's videos have all been taken down. I was going to remove the post links, but plan to see if I can get ahold of the videos through Steve - see if I could possibly host them?
Rosie looks lovely in her scifi suit
Thanks! I really like it too! My foxy little Liquid Knight!
Since there were still a Lot more videos to post to the page, I went back to the Index style of 'link to video' instead of posting each video as an asset of the page, which was already making the page too heavy. So here's the revised GKDantas' Carrara Training Videos page.
As always, let me know if you have any comments, suggestions, etc.,
Thinking about changing the title of this thread to "Dartanbeck.com" or something similar(?)
Waiting for renders, I did some more tweaks for readability - I hope folks like how it's turning out.
At the same time I've added link cues to some of GKDantas' Carrara Training Videos in the Help Links section, like I did with Cripeman's. I think this will make it a Lot easier for folks to be able to self-help themselves through their questions about using Carrara - as well as give the guardians of the Carrara Discussion Forum some easier methods to help folks out. To help with all of this, I made it so that each of the main categories in the Help section have hyperlink functionality (hover around the right side of the subheading, right-click > copy link address) - so we can send folks directly to where they need to go. It's still in experimental phase so we'll see how it works out. Always happy to make changes when needed!
Getting closer to launching more tutorial and demonstration videos, I also added (reluctantly) a small Donate page. I don't really have a facility to accept direct donations, so the page has ideas on how to show appreciation, for those who feel compelled.
I hope it doesn't come across as sounding awkward. I tried not to! Several of my dear friends have been asking me to do something like this, so I hope it's as subtle as I wanted it to be. If you care to have a look, I'd appreciate any feedback on it - layout, wording, am I doing the right thing by having this?, etc.,
New cover page image will be updated with the new Rosie soon
So here on October 14th of 2020, this is how far Dartanbeck.com has come. I never imagined it would grow this big this quickly, but it still has a l o n g way to go to fulfill my original intention of being a CG Filmmaker's complete(ish) resource - mostly geared toward using Carrara, but with hopes that it'll also inspire users of other software as well. It's amazing what can be done with little time - It's often difficult for me to get to a computer for any length of time.
Dartanbeck.com
Dartanbeck.com Home - Kind of a blog of what's inside with recent events toward the top of the page, under the initial greeting
Carrara Zone
Carrara Zone - Currently mostly a landing page to hold all of the Carrara oriented pages, but will eventually also serve as a more Carrara-centric blog
Carrara Info - A new Index for Carrara Information - features, guides, video links... this is meant to become a more cleanly placed and organized ►►► Carrara Information Manual ◄◄◄ sort of thing. It now houses a new Forum Help!!! Links index, but this time with Carrara Training videos from Cripeman and GKDantas, and will include my own as well.
Installing Carrara - Just some important tips to get all you deserve from this incredible software. I'll be expanding this page soon
Custom Browser - Still needs support images to guide the text, but this is part of what keeps Carrara very efficient for me to work in
Carrara Plugins - An edited and updated version of Jay Nola's FAQ, this page also expands to several others filled with information, links and demonstrations. BrianOrca's Ocean, YaToons and more are on this main page within Jay's FAQ
Scene (stage) Setup - Currently only has one offering: Volumetric Lighting, which is an early hybrid video/written article. It doesn't have much of a written version yet - but does include a Base Scene Download
Character Setup - This seems to be my main interest lately, as it has quite a few articles. Don't worry, I'll be getting on to other stuff soon!
Introducing Rosie 5 - I needed to get something started to find a focus toward developing this web site. This was it
Making Rosie 5 - Developmental information on creating my main protagonist - to be developed further
Using Genesis in Carrara - A work in progress that will explore many ways to use various Genesis generations within Carrara
Genesis Morph Reduction - My method of not only reducing the weight of a Genesis figure, but also the number of available sliders in the Parameters tab
Dynamic Hair - One of the parts of the Hybrid Video/Written article for Introducing Rosie 5
EYEdeas 3+ - A look at using Arki's amazing 3D eyeballs! Another part of Introducing Rosie 5
Millennium Teeth - Using third-party teeth to get what my character (Rosie 5) needed to complete her ultimate look. Another part of Introducing Rosie 5
Character Transfer using NLA - I often like to update/upgrade my character to a fresh base figure with a different set of morphs (often when I buy new ones) - here's how I transfer the shape over
Character Design - With its Character Template Scene download, this video/article demonstrates how I build each of my characters, monsters, animals, etc., It also covers the basics of creating shaders for Genesis (or any other figure, for that matter)
Modeling for Genesis - A fresh look, rejuvenating an article I wrote here quite some time ago. The video I made then is still helpful in how to send models from Carrara into Daz Studio, rig them to conform to the intended figure, and save back into the library.
Production Phase
Animating - This is where my animation articles will continue. I placed some useful info in here to get it started
Hybrid aniMation - another hybrid article I'm working on now. Currently contains much of the info from aniMating in Carrara
aniMate 2 - Daz Studio comes with a free version, but when we buy the full version we get some really great bonus features!
DAZ ZONE
DAZ ZONE - This is an exciting page full of my love for Daz 3D with a stroll back in time to when Genesis came out and then even further down is this wonderful video I posted years ago - Daz 3D as it was when I was an aspiring young PA here! (the face you see there is Kevin, who was my boss! :) )
Daz 3D Bundles - A look at the amazing wealth of content to be found in Bundles at Huge savings
Genesis 1 ROCKS!!! - I really dig into what I love about this amazing figure generation
Victoria 4 - A look at what is still (by far) the absolute Most Supported 3D articulate human figure on the planet
Some Personal Favorites - Kind of the opposite of "Buy something that doesn't work", this is stuff that I love, and it does work! I'll be adding a LOT more to this one as I've only just begun
Carrara 8.5 Pro Content - This page shows the massive bundle that comes with Carrara 8.5 Pro. The price of Pro includes all of this plus Carrara Pro? Very Cool!
Daz Studio - I've started this page to help gather information towards learning this amazing suite called Daz Studio. As I learn I'll be expanding this whole section, but I like this page now already. I update it when I can - several times so far.
Content Creation Tools - Oh Yeah! This is what I mostly use DS for now - and even in that I've only been scratching the surface!
Platinum Club + Experience - It's amazing how much value we can get from this service if we check in often! Even with little internet time I've been able to really fill up my library over the years - and the yearly membership cost is tiny comparatively
PC+ Cloth Frenzy - I've only just started this page. Since I started using VWD and removing rigging from figures so that I can add/delete polygons, change domains, etc., stuff in the low-price range in the PC+ catalog looks great and is fun to model with! I am working on a tutorial on how I make the clothing into static prop objects and then model them to fit the morphed figure, then run them through VWD as if using them as conforming clothes. It's really neat!
Do It In Post
VFX Zone > Fusion - Movie Magic at its Finest! Hollywood-grade compositing software
Editing Zone > DaVinci Resolve - This page contains the Resolve Training materials I'm using to learn this Hollywood-grade Non-Linear Editor - and the free version also includes Fusion, built right in! (along with Fairlight Audio and Resolve's high-end color corrector)
A Quick Look - This is my short demonstration of some of the techniques I used to create the "Introducing Rosie 5" video
Gallery
Gallery - This landing page also has a carousel of some of my images you've all seen before. The Still Images and Video pages are very much incomplete still
The Software - I've included most of what I'm currently using and more. I still have plenty of stuff to add though. HitFilm will be coming to this page, and getting its own but I haven't used in yet in my current workflow - but its coming! Some software is just linked to from this page, others have their own as well:
Cyberlink Software - Great setups for video production and a lot more. Philip Staiger (PD Howler) uses this to make his awesome videos
Autodesk - With as little time as I have to use software, this high-end stuff isn't the practical choice. But when you want to go pro....
PD Howler - Oh yeah!!! My favorite image editor to date!
Particle Illusion - amazing particle effects simulator/recorder, now from Boris
Whew! So that's the current list of pages. While a few of them are rather bare, currently just containers or landing pages, they have a lot of content in the works for them and the other pages are looking pretty cool, I think.
...and some of my Carrara forum friends have asked my to put up a "Donate" button of some sort, so I reluctantly made a Donate page. I don't really have a method for taking donations, as such, so I offer some examples there ;)
As you all know, apart from using it to help get things set up for use in Carrara, I am still relatively naive to Daz Studio. So I've been building the initial pages for Daz Studio to help myself and others to learn great ways to make use of this extraordinary suite we have before us. Since the main Studio page has grown so much, I've made a mini map to get directly to certain parts quickly:
see my PC+ Cloth Frenzy - buying clothes has never been so affordable - or nearly as versatile!
I've also updated the Daz Studio page with the new Unity Bridge and added a really cool video I found of my friend, Solomon trying out the new updated Daz to Blender Bridge and just loving it - which is very refreshing and cool since he's just starting out in Blender!
I might just have to sneak in some time to have a new look (again) at Blender. Not to switch or anything...!
It'll be fun! It's just Badlands with Etaiji Pass plunked in and optimized. Then drive the B.A.W. in there at a pretty good clip, to keep up with Rosie and Xerr, bring it al to a rest and render the frame that works for me! ;)
Site is looking great Dartanbeck. Thanks again for your tireless cataloguing of all these information resources for Carrara and all your own contributions and explanations. Great way to spend a Sunday afternoon!
Site is looking great Dartanbeck. Thanks again for your tireless cataloguing of all these information resources for Carrara and all your own contributions and explanations. Great way to spend a Sunday afternoon!
Thanks DesertDude! It feels great to be appreciated!
gah you been super busy - I missed so much - looking forward to saturating myself with this thread and your site
Me too! I try to play catch-up when I can, but so much of what's been going on in this forum has slipped by.
I am starting to get times when I can actually delve in now, so I'm digging deeper and exploring what I've been missing out on. It's going to be a lot of fun updating the new Forum Help Links with newer subjects - and newer actually goes back quite a ways! LOL
I still have tweaking to do on this - especially the articles and wb layout, but there's also a lot more topics to come!
Introducing Rosie 5
This is the project, whose completion gave me the material and inspiration to finally launch this site!
This is the beginning of an experiment I'm conducting for a hybrid video/written article system to help folks along in a more relaxed, interactive kind of way.
Instead of a single support article for this video, there's a whole list of them - so you can explore as much or as little as you'd like!
Now let's take a look at how I always begin my characters in Carrara.
This lesson isn't about picking out shapes or styles. It all begins with a Character Template scene that I use so the lighting is the same for every character or creature that I create.
It all follows these same simple steps in the beginning, and then we tweak them until we've got it just right!
Less than a minute, this video simply compiles a few simulation tests using Carrara 8.5 Pro's Dynamic Hair and VWD Cloth and Hair software for the clothing dynamics.
I have been rather busy and have not been having much time for any computer work un less Im at Work so it has been wonderful to see the energy that you are putting back into this now that you are back.
I have been rather busy and have not been having much time for any computer work un less Im at Work so it has been wonderful to see the energy that you are putting back into this now that you are back.
Thanks Man! How's your daughter doing in her studies, or is that a career now?
For anyone who just has a terrible time getting shaders working on your figures, I've written an entry-level shaders course for Carrara - based on very basic figure shaders.
I'll be following up on this one getting a bit more advanced. I figured that a series of digestable articles is better than trying to get someone new to the game into all that Carrara's Texture Room has to offer in one go.
For those who may need help before this is all written, my Character Design Course takes us further into material options and setting along with lights and other considerations. As always, if you have any immediate issue that I might be able to help with, let me know!
It can be frustrating trying to improve dynamic hair results with only a few short hours per week. Looking forward to one of my longer weeks coming up soon here.
So here's an older version of the hair that I really liked. I'm a little on-the-fence about going back to this style
Comments
Did a bunch of editing and additions to the site lately. Just tonight added a new video.
Dartanbeck.com
In fact, I've just started a new thread: Regarding Simulations.... with a demo video of the animations the above images were illustrating. Check it out!
I've done a Lot of work on the Carrara Info page
► Forum Help Links now also includes links to categories of Cripeman's Videos within Cripeman's Memorial
Also started a Physics & Particles page as a resource for us all to learn from. As I explain, I'm fairly new to Physics and Particles in Carrara, so I put in what I know about as far as things to learn from. If you think I'm missing something, please let me know.
I think I like the layout and organization so far - let me know what you think. It's hard to tell when it's my own, and I'm staring at it for long periods - and seeing it on my screen. If any of you have any advice, please feel free to let me know!
I'll be expanding a lot on Dynamic Hair and will be adding Cloth Simulations and adding a bunch to it in the near future, along with video tutorials and demonstrations. Looking forward to that! :)
Did a Lot of work on Fenric's page and updated some things throughout the Plugins pages, including adding a link to Fractal Dimensia's PySwarm
Added a page to host and organize the wonderful video tutorials by my friend, GKDantas (Marcello Teixeira): GKDantas' Carrara Training Videos, but isn't finished yet
Reorganized parts of Carrara Info for better flow - though I think I need to do more. We'll see. I do like how this particular page is turning out, however. Bummer that SciFi Funk's videos have all been taken down. I was going to remove the post links, but plan to see if I can get ahold of the videos through Steve - see if I could possibly host them?
wish people wouldn't do that, it costs nothing to leave stuff up on YouTube
mind you I get a lot of flack and feedback for removing my seriously crappy stuff
Rosie looks lovely in her scifi suit
Yeah, I don't know why he did that. He put all of his energy (which was Awesome Energy!!!) into producing those and his episodes. Bummer.
Thanks! I really like it too! My foxy little Liquid Knight!
Since there were still a Lot more videos to post to the page, I went back to the Index style of 'link to video' instead of posting each video as an asset of the page, which was already making the page too heavy. So here's the revised GKDantas' Carrara Training Videos page.
As always, let me know if you have any comments, suggestions, etc.,
Thinking about changing the title of this thread to "Dartanbeck.com" or something similar(?)
Waiting for renders, I did some more tweaks for readability - I hope folks like how it's turning out.
At the same time I've added link cues to some of GKDantas' Carrara Training Videos in the Help Links section, like I did with Cripeman's. I think this will make it a Lot easier for folks to be able to self-help themselves through their questions about using Carrara - as well as give the guardians of the Carrara Discussion Forum some easier methods to help folks out. To help with all of this, I made it so that each of the main categories in the Help section have hyperlink functionality (hover around the right side of the subheading, right-click > copy link address) - so we can send folks directly to where they need to go. It's still in experimental phase so we'll see how it works out. Always happy to make changes when needed!
Getting closer to launching more tutorial and demonstration videos, I also added (reluctantly) a small Donate page. I don't really have a facility to accept direct donations, so the page has ideas on how to show appreciation, for those who feel compelled.
I hope it doesn't come across as sounding awkward. I tried not to! Several of my dear friends have been asking me to do something like this, so I hope it's as subtle as I wanted it to be. If you care to have a look, I'd appreciate any feedback on it - layout, wording, am I doing the right thing by having this?, etc.,
New cover page image will be updated with the new Rosie soon
Testing...
This Link should take us to the Carrara Features section in a new window
Edit: Yep. Takes us right there! :)
So here on October 14th of 2020, this is how far Dartanbeck.com has come. I never imagined it would grow this big this quickly, but it still has a l o n g way to go to fulfill my original intention of being a CG Filmmaker's complete(ish) resource - mostly geared toward using Carrara, but with hopes that it'll also inspire users of other software as well. It's amazing what can be done with little time - It's often difficult for me to get to a computer for any length of time.
Dartanbeck.com
Dartanbeck.com Home - Kind of a blog of what's inside with recent events toward the top of the page, under the initial greeting
Carrara Zone
Carrara Zone - Currently mostly a landing page to hold all of the Carrara oriented pages, but will eventually also serve as a more Carrara-centric blog
Carrara Info - A new Index for Carrara Information - features, guides, video links... this is meant to become a more cleanly placed and organized ►►► Carrara Information Manual ◄◄◄ sort of thing. It now houses a new Forum Help!!! Links index, but this time with Carrara Training videos from Cripeman and GKDantas, and will include my own as well.
Carrara CG Workshop - In addition to being a landing page for all of the pages within, this page also explains the goal for this section
Pre-Production Phase
Pre-Production Phase - The things we do to prepare for Production
Scene (stage) Setup - Currently only has one offering: Volumetric Lighting, which is an early hybrid video/written article. It doesn't have much of a written version yet - but does include a Base Scene Download
Character Setup - This seems to be my main interest lately, as it has quite a few articles. Don't worry, I'll be getting on to other stuff soon!
Production Phase
Animating - This is where my animation articles will continue. I placed some useful info in here to get it started
DAZ ZONE
DAZ ZONE - This is an exciting page full of my love for Daz 3D with a stroll back in time to when Genesis came out and then even further down is this wonderful video I posted years ago - Daz 3D as it was when I was an aspiring young PA here! (the face you see there is Kevin, who was my boss! :) )
Daz 3D Content - Mainly just a container/landing page
Daz Studio - I've started this page to help gather information towards learning this amazing suite called Daz Studio. As I learn I'll be expanding this whole section, but I like this page now already. I update it when I can - several times so far.
Platinum Club + Experience - It's amazing how much value we can get from this service if we check in often! Even with little internet time I've been able to really fill up my library over the years - and the yearly membership cost is tiny comparatively
Do It In Post
VFX Zone > Fusion - Movie Magic at its Finest! Hollywood-grade compositing software
Editing Zone > DaVinci Resolve - This page contains the Resolve Training materials I'm using to learn this Hollywood-grade Non-Linear Editor - and the free version also includes Fusion, built right in! (along with Fairlight Audio and Resolve's high-end color corrector)
Gallery
Gallery - This landing page also has a carousel of some of my images you've all seen before. The Still Images and Video pages are very much incomplete still
Videos
Still Images
Inspiration
Downloads
Carrara EnvironKits
Base Scenes
The Software
The Software - I've included most of what I'm currently using and more. I still have plenty of stuff to add though. HitFilm will be coming to this page, and getting its own but I haven't used in yet in my current workflow - but its coming! Some software is just linked to from this page, others have their own as well:
Whew! So that's the current list of pages. While a few of them are rather bare, currently just containers or landing pages, they have a lot of content in the works for them and the other pages are looking pretty cool, I think.
...and some of my Carrara forum friends have asked my to put up a "Donate" button of some sort, so I reluctantly made a Donate page. I don't really have a method for taking donations, as such, so I offer some examples there ;)
As you all know, apart from using it to help get things set up for use in Carrara, I am still relatively naive to Daz Studio. So I've been building the initial pages for Daz Studio to help myself and others to learn great ways to make use of this extraordinary suite we have before us. Since the main Studio page has grown so much, I've made a mini map to get directly to certain parts quickly:
Daz Studio Page Quick Map
What is Daz Studio?
Master Daz Studio
Daz Bridges - Maya, Blender, C4D, 3ds Max, Unreal and Unity
Daz Bridges How To - Steph, from Daz 3D, shows you how to use them
dForce and New Animation Tools Demos
I also have a special page for using Daz Studio for creating content: Content Creation Tools
Also check out my Modeling for Genesis page
see my PC+ Cloth Frenzy - buying clothes has never been so affordable - or nearly as versatile!
I've also updated the Daz Studio page with the new Unity Bridge and added a really cool video I found of my friend, Solomon trying out the new updated Daz to Blender Bridge and just loving it - which is very refreshing and cool since he's just starting out in Blender!
I might just have to sneak in some time to have a new look (again) at Blender. Not to switch or anything...!
It looks like I'll be starting from scratch as this scene appears to be missing (transferring to new computer)
No biggie. I'll make it better this time!
Starting from scratch = Ouch.
But any excuse to prod you to use more Xerr!
It'll be fun! It's just Badlands with Etaiji Pass plunked in and optimized. Then drive the B.A.W. in there at a pretty good clip, to keep up with Rosie and Xerr, bring it al to a rest and render the frame that works for me! ;)
Site is looking great Dartanbeck. Thanks again for your tireless cataloguing of all these information resources for Carrara and all your own contributions and explanations. Great way to spend a Sunday afternoon!
Thanks DesertDude! It feels great to be appreciated!
gah you been super busy - I missed so much - looking forward to saturating myself with this thread and your site
Me too! I try to play catch-up when I can, but so much of what's been going on in this forum has slipped by.
I am starting to get times when I can actually delve in now, so I'm digging deeper and exploring what I've been missing out on. It's going to be a lot of fun updating the new Forum Help Links with newer subjects - and newer actually goes back quite a ways! LOL
So far, beyond the main pages
I still have tweaking to do on this - especially the articles and wb layout, but there's also a lot more topics to come!
Much much more to come!
See the full current site map Here, or simply use the navigation menu to explore!
Wow, Dart, your page rocks!
Thanks, my friend! It's an honor to hear that!
I have been rather busy and have not been having much time for any computer work un less Im at Work so it has been wonderful to see the energy that you are putting back into this now that you are back.
Thanks Man! How's your daughter doing in her studies, or is that a career now?
I always go to your site before I come here now. It's full of treasures!
bravo,
--ms
MS, Thank you so much! Very much appreciated!!!
For anyone who just has a terrible time getting shaders working on your figures, I've written an entry-level shaders course for Carrara - based on very basic figure shaders.
Character Shader Basics
I'll be following up on this one getting a bit more advanced. I figured that a series of digestable articles is better than trying to get someone new to the game into all that Carrara's Texture Room has to offer in one go.
For those who may need help before this is all written, my Character Design Course takes us further into material options and setting along with lights and other considerations. As always, if you have any immediate issue that I might be able to help with, let me know!
Character Design in Carrara 01
Here's the video portion
It can be frustrating trying to improve dynamic hair results with only a few short hours per week. Looking forward to one of my longer weeks coming up soon here.
So here's an older version of the hair that I really liked. I'm a little on-the-fence about going back to this style
...and here's a version of the latest changes on a newer design
The newer one has a lot more potential for realism, but I'm still not sure if 'realism' is what I want. Hmmm....