first rigg in daz

1234MATT

Hi, this is my first rigg in daz, 4.9 using only the video tutorials,,,,,its been along time getting here.,,lolahah

i really doesnt work well. Howevedr i diduse every joint slection available. Shouldnt have done that but i got it yeeeeeepeeee.

Think i could be a 3d content creator? haha

Thomas Windar

This is not considered a figure, so you will not be able to weight map this. 

Generally you would want to go through a different process when rigging something. I personally suggest to people to first import an .OBJ file and create surfaces and face groups for the model. Then use Figure setup to create their figure and modify the rig from there. It's the safest way to do it, cause it avoids errors.

Well.... that might not tell you much what I just said. Then again - explaining the whole rigging process requires a LOT more text.

1234MATT

not considered afigure because it has no corersponding template rig?

Thomas Windar

1234MATT said:

not considered afigure because it has no corersponding template rig?

No. 

DAZ Studio recognizes things as "props" or "figures". A "Figure" has a rigginf type, like TriAx Weight Mapping, General Weight Mapping or Parametric Joint Parameters. 

In simpler words - if you want to paint Weight maps on a 3D object (and you need them to MOVE the figure), it needs to be a FIGURE and not a PROP. 

A Prop can be rigged, but you will still need weight maps or it won't move. Weight Maps control which faces will bend and how much will they be affected, to control how the mesh distorts.

1234MATT

ok, i saw another tut that showed where the temeplate are. the work flow in any tut has not suggested that the surfaces be done 2nd or as you discribe but i will do that and see where it goes. the model is out of light wave and i used selection set to define " bone zones" i would call it.

iam not sure how to access the weight map featureor its specific manipulation controls. thanks 

 

Thomas Windar

Template? For what? The only thing I would consider a template there is using Transfer Utility when making clothes. However when creating a standalone object - you don't use Transfer Utility... 

Look - first go to "Window -> Panes(Tabs) -> Tool Settings". You will need to have this open to access certain settings from the Geometry Editor, Node Weight Map brush and Joint Editor. Yes - you need these 3 tools to create a functioning rig.

In Tool Seetings, you can select your tool or simply go to "Tools -> Joint Editor" or other required tool.

Geometry Editor will let you assign Face groups, Surfaces, Selection sets, etc. You will need to assign Face Groups that are the polygons you want to move.

Joint Editor will let you create bones, adjust them and memorize figure rigging once its done.

Node Weight Map Brush will let you paint weight maps. You have different options for weight maps there. Remember that every weight map is specific to each chosen bone.

....to be honest, describing this process requires a whole guide and not just a forum post. 

1234MATT

thanks for the help. that over view of work flow was simple and concise.

just wondering my modle has groups already assigned by when imported, and when the joint editor was used in the tutorial  the groups were used to label bones, ... 

at this point  does the geomitry editor recognize my imported obj groups.? if you could recomend a a guide I will buy it  i  have to,hahalolo i need all i can get thanks.

Thomas Windar

Hard to say - the last guides to rigging I've checked are kinda outdated right now. I know there are some new guides that just came out for rigging but I have not purchased them. You will have to ask someone else about a good rigging guide. I'm in the middle of writing a guide for rigging tools, but I have no idea how long it will take to complete. 

Also - you are asking questions kind of "from the middle". As if the figure you are trying to rig is half-ready for the rigging process. The process for rigging generally would look something like this:

1) Create the Mesh of the 3D object. 
2) Export it as an .OBJ file. 
3) Import the .OBJ file into DAZ Studio.
4) Use the Geometry Editor tool to assign Face Groups that will be used for rigging. You can assign your surface now as well if you wish. (this is a big step btw and will require that you understand how to choose these groups.) If your modelling app has this function, you can assign surface groups in it instead, but DAZ Studio would be prefered, as it causes the least amount of problems on import.
5) Export the .OBJ file of the figure, now with its Face Groups.
6) Open the Figure Setup tool and import the Geometry of your .OBJ file in it.
7) Assign Face Groups as your "bones" in the correct order to create your starting Bone Hierarchy. (This is a big step btw - but using the Figure Setup you will have less trouble and work to deal with)
8) Create the new Figure. It should now have bones in it that will require tweaking and aligning. That is intended. 
9) Add or edit bones with the Joint Editor now. (This is a big step).
10) Once all joints are aligned correctly, Memorize Figure Rigging. Remember to save often to not lose your work.
11) In the Node Weight Map Brush you will have to choose whether you wish to use TriAx weight mapping or General Weights for the figure. 
12) Paint weight maps for every bone in the figure. (This is again a big step)
13) You will now need to bend the figure joints and see if the geometry is deformed correctly. You will have to tweak your maps in this step.
14) After all that is done, save your figure. You should now have a working 3D model that can be posed. 

This is of course just a process overview. You will need to study what the tools DO and not what option to just use. Otherwise you will run into weird errors, like why is a joint not bending when it is weight mapped or why are maps receiving weight painting while you don't have them selected at all. 

 

 

1234MATT

i would like to say thank you very much this gwork flow guide will help a lot. Howeveri think the best thing to do is to go ahead and purchse onr of the guides you spoke of.

So, yes the model is over half done. and kinda sorry about how i got those questions out . I can rigg pretty good in Light wave , Daz is a total different story, but i really want to conqure Daz. Daz was the first3d program i had, and back then it was easy enough to learn with just a strong desire to get in and run with it. Most of the people i knew wanted me to keep going. I never could quite get it and i didnt know much about modeling so i bought carrara and then modeling really took off and rendering and everything you could do with Carrara. I got busey away for afew years but recently i checked in a few artist that i was familiar with from back then and saw thier sales....needless to say i decided that it wasnt going to get drop dead rich but over time it would or could generate a nice bundle to put back for retirement. So , thats what i am doing. thanks