January 2022 - Daz 3D New User Challenge - Composition, Instancing, & Duplication

New User's Challenge - January 2022

Sponsored by DAZ 3D

Are you new to the 3D World? Are you at the beginning stages of learning 3D rendering? Have you been around for a little bit but feel you could benefit from some feedback or instruction? Have you been around awhile and would like to help other members start their creative journey? Well then come and join the fun as we host our newest render challenge!

Back by popular demand (or well because we think it went well LOL), we are breaking down each month into 2 different challenges:
A Beginner Challenge and then also an Intermediate Challenge.

So which "Challenge" should you choose?

Follow the Beginner Challenge if you are:

  • New to the New User Challenges
  • New to Daz Studio
  • Newer to 3D Rendering in General
  • Or if you have not participated in the January Composition Challenge

Follow the Intermediate Challenge if you have:

  • Participated in the New User Challenge for awhile
  • Know the basics of Daz Studio and would like to learn more in depth topics
  • Been using 3D Rendering Applications for awhile and feel comfortable with learning Intermediate Topics
  • Or if you have all ready been spotlighted in the January Composition Challenge

*Please be sure to list in your post which Challenge you are participating in

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Comments

  • DAZ_ann0314DAZ_ann0314 Posts: 2,783
    edited December 2021

    Beginner Challenge:
    "Composition"

    This is a general render challenge with the focus on how you compose your image. We are providing you with lots of great links on Composition from a variety of sources. Composition is key to pulling a viewer into your image and leading their eye to where you want them to see things. It is a fundamental skill that we, as artists, not only need to learn, but will continue to hone over the years. Read about and look at the examples, in these articles, for how composition works and how artists, from the Masters to people like you and me, put these compositional guidelines to use to make our pieces more appealing and invite the viewer to look around your image as you intended.



    General Composition Rules:
    http://design.tutsplus.com/articles/5-fundamental-skills-every-artist-should-master--psd-28054

    The Golden Ratio:
    https://designschool.canva.com/blog/what-is-the-golden-ratio/
    http://www.hongkiat.com/blog/golden-ratio-in-moden-designs/
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8A3JnWzgXGk

    Some Tools for DS and Bryce:
    Golden Rules Camera Prop v1.5 by Jaderail
    Golden Rules Composition Helpers for Bryce by David Brinnen and Horo


    Artists, filmmakers and photographers share similar traits in how we present our work, so you will find that a study of the art of photography will help, which is why you see various links to photographic articles included.

    Photography Composition:
    http://digital-photography-school.com/5-elements-of-composition-in-photography/
    http://digital-photography-school.com/5-more-elements-of-composition-in-photography/
     



    Color can be used as a compositional element, especially when you have color contrast. Here are some fundamentals on color:

    Color Fundamentals:
    https://99designs.com/blog/tips/the-7-step-guide-to-understanding-color-theory/

    Other Types of Contrast:
    http://photoinf.com/General/NAVY/Contrast_and_Framing.htm

    Examples of Composition:
    http://www.cybercollege.com/comp_ex.htm
    http://www.cybercollege.com/comp_ex2.htm
    http://www.pinterest.com/dawnshiree/rules-of-composition/

    Examples from Netflix's The Queens Gambit (The Director of this series did an EXCEPTIONAL job applying the Rules of Composition):
    Composition of The Queen's Gambit (You may need a Facebook Account for this link which directs to a post - be sure to scroll through the pictures as there are TONS of excellent examples)

     


     

    This is a bit of a long read but offers excellent examples of different kinds of composition and camera angles.

    The Cinematography of "The Incredibles"
     


     

    Prior Composition Challenges:

    January, 2021

    January, 2020

    January, 2019

    January, 2018

    January, 2017

    January, 2016

    January, 2015

     


     

    Daz Tutorials

    Getting Started with Daz Studio

     



    I will be checking in as will the rest of the Community Volunteers to try and help with anything you all may need.


    For a list of the current challenge rules, please see this thread : Challenge Rules
     


    Closing Date: January 31st 2022

    Post edited by DAZ_ann0314 on
  • DAZ_ann0314DAZ_ann0314 Posts: 2,783

    Intermediate Challenge:
    "Instancing and Creating Duplicates"

    This is a general render challenge with the focus on using Instancing and Duplication within a scene. We are providing you with some links on the topics from a variety of sources. Utilizinging Instancing and Duplication well is key to creating intricate scenes while saving on file sizes and processing power. It is a fundamental skill for those wishing to do large battle scenes, those wishing to create their own worlds, or those wishing to create an environment that seems full and complex.

    *If participating in this Challenge, please be sure to list what item(s) within your scene you have instanced or duplicated*



    General Instancing and Duplicate Creation Information:

    Node Instances

    1. Click on the item in the scene you wish to Instance
    2. Go to Create - New Node Instance (Good for Singular Instances)
     
    or

    1. Click on the item in the scene you wish to Instance
    2. Go to Create - New Node Instances (Good for adding Multiple Instances at once)

    Pluses:

    Doesn't use as many computer resources as loading in the items again (So it won't show as more Geometry Loaded in if you look at the Scene Info Tab)
    Great for filling in a scene with items that are going to look identical while keeping the computer strain down.
    Can Populate a scene fairly quickly

    Minuses:

    All the items will share the textures of the original item.
    Node Instances are an exact copy of the original, they cannot be morphed or posed separately
     

    Duplicate Nodes

    1. Click on the Item in the Scene you with to Duplicate
    2. Go to Edit - Duplicate - Duplicate Node(s)

    Pluses:

    Creates a copy of the Selected Item
    You are able to change textures, manipulate, repose etc as if you added in a new copy

    Minuses:

    Doesn't Save on Computer Resources since it is basically the same as loading in a second exact copy (Rig, Bones, and All)

    *Duplicate Node Hierarchies * 
    (Duplicates the entire node tree below the Selected Node)
    Example: If you select Genesis 8 that has clothing and hair attached then it will Duplicate Genesis 8 as well as the attached hair and clothing.

    1. Click on the Item in the Scene you wish to Duplicate
    2. Go to Edit - Duplicate - Duplicate Node Hierarchies

    Pluses:

    Creates a copy of the Selected Item and all items attached to it. (Great for creating a copy of a Figure with included clothing, accessories etc)
    You are able to change textures, manipulate, repose etc as if you added in a new copy

    Minuses:

    Doesn't Save on Computer Resources since it is basically the same as loading in a second exact copy (Rig, Bones, and All)


    Generally you want to use Duplicates or regular full figures with varying poses etc in the forground of the scene and then use the instances more in the background or as scene filler where it will be less likely to notice they are the same (especially useful when using Depth of Field etc) It can also be used to help cut down computer load when you actually want or need to identical things (props etc) in the scene..such as two chairs in a livingroom, two tanks (or 20 tanks) on a battlefield, multiple candles in a scene that are all the same color, books placed on shelves, potion bottles that can be moved to various places across the scene, or things like trees and grass.



    Examples of Using Instances and/or Duplication within Daz Studio:

    Instances used for the Spectres that are Attacking Ater Eterwood
    (Special Thanks to Totte - Code 66 for the Example)

    Instances used for the Crates and Barrels. Barrels were rotated to avoid the repeated look.
    (Special Thanks to Totte - Code 66 for the Example)


    Instances used to add more Patrons to the tavern
    (Special Thanks to Totte - Code 66 for the Example)


    Instances used to add more snakes to the image
    (Special Thanks to Totte - Code 66 for the Example)


    Instances used to add more Vikings at the feast
    (Special Thanks to Totte - Code 66 for the Example)

    Instances created Using UltraScatter on the to create a ball of Skeletons as a trap in the tunnel
    (Special Thanks to Totte - Code 66 for the Example)

    Instances created Using Stack'Em Up on the Containers
    (Special Thanks to Totte - Code 66 for the Example)


    Handy Products to Use while Instancing:

    Stack'Em Up
    UltraScatter Advanced Instancing for Daz Studio
    UltraScatter Pro
    Instances Plus+ for Daz Studio
     


    Prior Composition Challenges:

    January, 2021

    January, 2020

    January, 2019

    January, 2018

    January, 2017

    January, 2016

    January, 2015

     



    I will be checking in as will the rest of the Community Volunteers to try and help with anything you all may need.


    For a list of the current challenge rules, please see this thread : Challenge Rules
     


    Closing Date: January 31st 2022

  • Here's my start this month.  Happy new year everybody.

    jan2022a.png
    1300 x 731 - 2M
  • Already have version B here.

    I moved my first charcacter more in the direction of the camera because it turned out that his foot was sticking into the tire behind him. He also has an ally who's reloading their own firearm while the two of them are under fire from the hostile that I've added.

     

    I've also done some texture work on the vehicle they are taking cover behind.

     

    jan2022b.png
    1300 x 731 - 2M
  • DAZ_ann0314DAZ_ann0314 Posts: 2,783
    edited January 2022

    Shinji Ikari 9th said:

    Already have version B here.

    I moved my first charcacter more in the direction of the camera because it turned out that his foot was sticking into the tire behind him. He also has an ally who's reloading their own firearm while the two of them are under fire from the hostile that I've added.

     

    I've also done some texture work on the vehicle they are taking cover behind.

     

    Very nice! I really like version B heart

    Be sure when you post your final that you say which part of the challenging you are working on ok (I assume this is Composition)  heart

    Post edited by DAZ_ann0314 on
  • HLEET_3DHLEET_3D Posts: 172
    edited January 2022

    Beginner Challenge: Composition

    Title : "Hawaiian Hula Girl on the beach" (...) 

    Softwares used : daz3D ; affinity photo 

    Background photo from pexels.com (free to use) : building-beside-shore-412681

     

    hleet_3D_0017.jpg
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    Post edited by HLEET_3D on
  • Don't know if I'll think of anything to add to this, but here's and example of using instancing to have a lot of dancing skelitons.

    jan2022-2a.png
    1300 x 731 - 1M
  • HLEET_3DHLEET_3D Posts: 172

    Shinji Ikari 9th said:

    Don't know if I'll think of anything to add to this, but here's and example of using instancing to have a lot of dancing skelitons.

    Cool, but it's a bit too dark to see. Maybe you could add some more light on it ? 

    It looks like the dance of "thriller" with michael jackson :D 

  • DAZ_ann0314DAZ_ann0314 Posts: 2,783

    HLEET_3D said:

    Beginner Challenge: Composition

    Title : "Hawaiian Hula Girl on the beach" (...) 

    Softwares used : daz3D ; affinity photo 

    Background photo from pexels.com (free to use) : building-beside-shore-412681

     

    Really nicely done and I can see the rule of thirds going on there really well heart Looks really lovely! smiley 

  • DarkSoulDarkSoul Posts: 21
    edited January 2022

    Title: Siren Song

    Intermediate challenge


    Used duplicates for splash against rock

     

    Mermaid.jpg
    2048 x 1152 - 1M
    Post edited by DarkSoul on
  • StargazeyStargazey Posts: 238

    frodopoes said:

    Title: Siren Song

    Intermediate challenge


    Used duplicates for splash against rock

    Really nice! I love the muted colours.

  • Stargazey said:

    frodopoes said:

    Title: Siren Song

    Intermediate challenge


    Used duplicates for splash against rock

    Really nice! I love the muted colours.

    Thanks,

    It's just the start 

  • frodopoes said:

    Title: Siren Song

    Intermediate challenge


    Used duplicates for splash against rock

     

    Awesome image!  Great job 

  • charlescharles Posts: 775

    DAZ_ann0314 said:

    HLEET_3D said:

    Beginner Challenge: Composition

    Title : "Hawaiian Hula Girl on the beach" (...) 

    Softwares used : daz3D ; affinity photo 

    Background photo from pexels.com (free to use) : building-beside-shore-412681

     

    Really nicely done and I can see the rule of thirds going on there really well heart Looks really lovely! smiley 

    Good work on the background splicing.

     

  • charlescharles Posts: 775

    frodopoes said:

    Title: Siren Song

    Intermediate challenge


    Used duplicates for splash against rock

     

    Great picture, good use of tones, composition and expression. 

  • Title: Here We Go Again!

    Contest: Composition

     

    Imagine that you've just arived at the bottem of a barely working elivator only to see this when the doors open.

     

    This is version A of a new idea that hit me tonight.  The walls need retexturing, and some other tweeks, but here's the start.

     

    I was timpted to have a name that I would have to censore but held back.

    jan2022-3a.png
    800 x 494 - 580K
  • HLEET_3DHLEET_3D Posts: 172
    edited January 2022

    Title: "Love at Second sight"

    Contest Intermediate challenge - Instancing and Creating Duplicates

    Duplicated item : surfboard

    Software used : daz3D

    Love at Second sight

    hleet_3D_0022.jpg
    3840 x 2160 - 6M
    Post edited by HLEET_3D on
  • HLEET_3D said:

    Beginner Challenge: Composition

    Title : "Hawaiian Hula Girl on the beach" (...) 

    Softwares used : daz3D ; affinity photo 

    Background photo from pexels.com (free to use) : building-beside-shore-412681

     

    Nice image but if I make a remark. the lighting is off. It is coming from the wrong ditection. If you look at the background photo it from the back left (where the sunset is. 
    This means you should actually see a rimlight on her.

    Move the key light more to the left and make it less bright. It would improve the image a lot

  • DarkSoulDarkSoul Posts: 21
    edited January 2022

    Version 2.0
     

    Update of previous posted entry

    Title: Siren Song
    Challenge: Intermediate Duplicates/Instances

    Ducplicate items: Splashes against rock


    Changes from previous version.
    -Improved ocean (created in Cinema 4d, textured with Iray in Daz Studio)
    -Added more spray and increased detail
    - Wet skin with water droplets on mermaid
    - changed hair color on mermaid
    - Matted wet hair  that clings to skin on mermaid 
    -  pose correction
    - Improved lighting
    - added seaguls

     

    Siren Song

    Siren Song.jpg
    2560 x 1440 - 2M
    Post edited by DarkSoul on
  • HLEET_3DHLEET_3D Posts: 172

    @frodopoes thanks for your feedback, I appreciate  :)

    Let's say it has some kind of "photo flash/bounce" that occured lol.

    But yeah, lightning is tricky, I'm still learning how to do it right.

  • Title: Here We Go Again!

    Contest: Composition

     

    Version B here with some texture work done, some tweeking of the hostile's legware, and adding an additional light source just out of view.

    jan2022-3b.png
    800 x 494 - 592K
  • frodopoes said:

    Version 2.0
     

    Update of previous posted entry

    Title: Siren Song
    Challenge: Intermediate Duplicates/Instances

    Ducplicate items: Splashes against rock
     

    Gorgeous work  frodopoes! Lovely muted color palette, wonderful detail and textures. Love the ocean and splash work too. Really great!

  • Shinji Ikari 9th said:

    Already have version B here.

    I moved my first charcacter more in the direction of the camera because it turned out that his foot was sticking into the tire behind him. He also has an ally who's reloading their own firearm while the two of them are under fire from the hostile that I've added.

    I've also done some texture work on the vehicle they are taking cover behind.

    Great work on the detail, posing and composition!  

  • Thanks for all the links on composition and instancing. I learned some new things about composition, and only now learned we can duplicate nodes! Wow, that makes things so much easier! For this render, I used duplication and instancing to create all the glass tiles (just flattened primitive cubes) and also used duplication with the character, to create an artsy render.

    "In Triplicate" (Intermediate Challenge)

    LI - Color Glass Instancing.jpg
    1400 x 1050 - 1M
  • DarkSoulDarkSoul Posts: 21
    edited January 2022

    My 2nd entry for this month's challenge

    Title: Let me pet it too please!
    Challenge: Intermediate - Instancing and duplication
    Duplicates: Trees
    Instances: Various plants and grasses

    Let me pet it too please!

    Let me pet it too please.jpg
    2000 x 1125 - 2M
    Post edited by DarkSoul on
  • vamokvamok Posts: 238

    At the Diner

    Intermediate Challenge

    The waitress has been instanced twice. The girl in the pink sweater is a duplicate of the woman in the car. The cook and the guy in the leather jacket are duplicates of the guy in the car.

    at the diner.png
    1920 x 1080 - 3M
  • vamokvamok Posts: 238

    Delivery

    Intermediate Challenge - 2nd Entry

    The taped boxes in the truck are instances and the birds on the ledge are all instances with the exception of one duplicated bird.

    Delivery.png
    1920 x 1080 - 3M
  • katywhitekatywhite Posts: 412
    edited January 2022

    Title: Visitors at Night

    Caption: The spirits hovered around him, curious what was keeping him up at such a later hour, and wondering if they could shine a light upon his gloomy thoughts

    Software: Daz 3D

    Challenge: Intermediate

    Feedback is appreciated! (instances & duplicates are of the little spirits)

    Visitors at Night.png
    2000 x 2000 - 3M
    Post edited by katywhite on
  • katywhitekatywhite Posts: 412
    edited January 2022

    Title: Her Worship

    Software: Daz 3D

    Challenge: Intermediate

    Second Entry! Feedback appreciated. Instances are the bowing demons

     

    Her Worship Newest Lighting.png
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    Post edited by katywhite on
  • katywhite said:

    Title: Her Worship

    Great render! The use of instances works really well, love the idea and all the detail. If I were to suggest anything, it'd be to brighten up the render a little as it takes a moment to see everything. Wonderful work! Oh, and love those adorable spirits in your first render! : )

     

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