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My Very First Character / Render Attempt

NovicaNovica Posts: 23,887
edited February 2013 in New Users

Okay, as mentioned in my other thread when I TRIED to start working in the Studio, it crashed twice when I tried using the Surfaces / diffuse. So, I decided to create a character (took me hours, don't laugh) and then decided to gingerly try to put clothes on and hair (and see if I would get another crash.)

This is the Pyrit hair and look what it did to her face! ARRRRRGH.

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Comments

  • NovicaNovica Posts: 23,887
    edited December 1969

    Here's a closeup.

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  • NovicaNovica Posts: 23,887
    edited December 1969

    Well, at least I like my character :)

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  • Tramp GraphicsTramp Graphics Posts: 2,412
    edited December 1969

    Apply a smoothing modifier to the hair and then, in the Parameters tab, set Collision Iteration ON, and set the hair's collision to collide with the figure (I presume it's Genesis). I also typically set Smoothing to 1 instead of the default 20.

  • NovicaNovica Posts: 23,887
    edited February 2013

    Thanks for the help- can we start with this- I have no clue what a smoothing modifier is- where is that?
    EDIT- I cant find the other stuff either, I am aimlessly opening everything in Parameters. A clue perhaps? (I have to get to bed, it's 5:15am and I've been up all night, so that isn't helping. Sorry!) Can you guide me step by step here? Appreciate it!

    Cathie

    Post edited by Novica on
  • NovicaNovica Posts: 23,887
    edited February 2013

    For smoothing modifier, do you mean in Surfaces (Color) where it says Smoothing? (With Pyrit Hair selected) It already says ON. I went to each section though and made sure.

    All were already ON. Note this still doesnt highlight that splotch to the far right.

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    Post edited by Novica on
  • Tramp GraphicsTramp Graphics Posts: 2,412
    edited December 1969

    In your scene tab, (it should be on the right hand side of the screen, along with Parameer, Content Library, and Tool Settings) select the hair, then click on the "Disply Active Scene Tab options, icon in the top left corner, drop down to Edit>Apply Smoothing Modifier. This will apply the Smoothing modifier to the hair. Then click on your Parameters tab, click on the General drop down menu and select Mesh Smoothing. This will open up your Smoothing options. Then follow my previous instructions.

  • NovicaNovica Posts: 23,887
    edited December 1969

    Hang on a second, I am already in Parameters / Already Used / can see Enable Smoothing (which was OFF just turned it on) Back in a minute or two...

  • NovicaNovica Posts: 23,887
    edited December 1969

    Let me read your post and reply, but here's the photo- that icon in the top left corner didnt give me that display option you mentioned, (see expanded dropdown in photo) I went into parameters and under Currently Used, found this. Is this where I am supposed to be? (Appreciate your help, btw)
    Cathie

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  • Tramp GraphicsTramp Graphics Posts: 2,412
    edited December 1969

    Novica said:
    Let me read your post and reply, but here's the photo- that icon in the top left corner didnt give me that display option you mentioned, (see expanded dropdown in photo) I went into parameters and under Currently Used, found this. Is this where I am supposed to be? (Appreciate your help, btw)
    Cathie
    That's because the "Edit>Apply Smoothing Modifier" option is in the Scene tab's display options, not the Parameter tab's. It's moot anyway since you already had a Smoothing modifier applied, it was just not enabled.
  • NovicaNovica Posts: 23,887
    edited February 2013

    Is having a higher number for the smoothing iterations a bad thing? Hang on a second, let me show you what this ended up doing-
    it took a 14. Let me get the screenshot, then will edit this and add it. (then go to bed!)

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    Post edited by Novica on
  • kitakoredazkitakoredaz Posts: 3,526
    edited December 1969

    http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/14436/

    Hi,, :) smoothing modifier sometimes effect bad about hair. (but not so hard,, I think,,)

    but auto-follow morhp which generated to the hair, cahnge hair shape much too.
    if your part of hair are bury in forhead,,
    I think it is because auto-follow eye lush morph effect.

    if your character use eye lush layer morph, it move back part of eye lush into head and invisible.
    so you may check auto generated morph about hair.

  • Tramp GraphicsTramp Graphics Posts: 2,412
    edited December 1969

    Novica said:
    Is having a higher number for the smoothing iterations a bad thing? Hang on a second, let me show you what this ended up doing-
    it took a 14. Let me get the screenshot, then will edit this and add it. (then go to bed!)
    Not necessarily. It depends upon how "Smooth" you want it, or how detailed. I prefer more detail, and only raise the smoothing higher when absolutely necessary.
  • NovicaNovica Posts: 23,887
    edited December 1969

    Thanks, I'll read the thread after I get some sleep.
    I'll have to continue this later, it's now 6am and I have to stop before I keel over. Appreciate everyone's help- and that thread looks interesting.

  • NovicaNovica Posts: 23,887
    edited December 1969

    One more thing- what is the collision iteration? What should that be set on?

  • Tramp GraphicsTramp Graphics Posts: 2,412
    edited December 1969

    Novica said:
    One more thing- what is the collision iteration? What should that be set on?
    Collision Iteration is what determines the level of collision and how far from the object being collided with, the mesh collides. The smaller the number, the less collision.
  • NovicaNovica Posts: 23,887
    edited December 1969

    And is collision equivalent to the amount of area that the two surfaces touch? So a low amount of collision would be less contact?

  • Tramp GraphicsTramp Graphics Posts: 2,412
    edited December 1969

    Not quite. The lower the collision iteration, the more the meshes will pass through one another, and, thus, the more "poke-through".

  • NovicaNovica Posts: 23,887
    edited February 2013

    I got it down to 12 in the smoothing iterations, when I went lower, some of the strands were acting weird. Could probably take it down to 10 or so. Not seeing much difference when I did.

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    Post edited by Novica on
  • Tramp GraphicsTramp Graphics Posts: 2,412
    edited December 1969

    Novica said:
    I got it down to 12 in the smoothing iterations, when I went lower, some of the strands were acting weird. Could probably take it down to 10 or so. Not seeing much difference when I did.
    Looks good to me.
  • NovicaNovica Posts: 23,887
    edited December 1969

    Tramp Graphics said:
    Novica said:
    I got it down to 12 in the smoothing iterations, when I went lower, some of the strands were acting weird. Could probably take it down to 10 or so. Not seeing much difference when I did.
    Looks good to me.

    Thank you!
    So is 16 a high or a low number for the collision iterations? I havent a clue what I'm doing.

  • NovicaNovica Posts: 23,887
    edited February 2013

    Tramp Graphics- appreciate you very much, just wanted to repeat that. This hasn't been the most fun for a first render, but having you help has made all the difference in throwing in the towel or trying to get it solved. And I'm thinking this will help a lot of other newbies.
    Cathie

    Post edited by Novica on
  • Tramp GraphicsTramp Graphics Posts: 2,412
    edited December 1969

    It's moderate. The base line minimum is typically 3. On occasion, I've gone as high as 100 collision iterations.

  • NovicaNovica Posts: 23,887
    edited December 1969

    How can you tell what the collision iterations are doing when you change the slider? I'm not seeing anything. Also, is there supposed to be a huge lag between the times you move the slider, is that normal? )Or could it be my computer, or Studio getting ready to crash on me again?

  • Tramp GraphicsTramp Graphics Posts: 2,412
    edited December 1969

    I typically don't use the slider. I type in the number I want. I could,t tell you about the lag time. Could be using too much RAM.

  • NovicaNovica Posts: 23,887
    edited December 1969

    Thanks so much. Signing off for now, trying to figure out hair morphs but am exhausted. I found them but not sure what all the abbreviations are, and I have a LOT of lag. I did move her bangs over to the left (as you look at it) and shortened them. This is a fun hairstyle! (Pyrit hair, for anyone who is interested.) Lots of color choices and morphs.

    Cathie

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  • Scott LivingstonScott Livingston Posts: 4,340
    edited December 1969

    Hi Novica, I like the look of your character!

    The lag you are experiencing is probably due to the smoothing modifier...it means the computer has to make lots of calculations every time you change something. Some people like to turn smoothing off until the scene is ready to render...obviously that's probably not the best option in this particular example since smoothing seems to be essential to what you're trying to get the hair to do. But do take a look at that link that kitakoredaz posted...itmight be a way to solve your problem without using the smoothing modifier so much.

    In case you haven't seen it, I thought I'd provide a link to my tutorial on hair: http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/5646/ There's a surprising amount of stuff to learn when it comes to hair...the tutorial doesn't cover everything, but I hope you find it useful. I certainly learned a lot just in the process of putting it together.

  • KharmaKharma Posts: 3,214
    edited December 1969

    OMG Novica, I love your character!!! Who is it...she looks like Ashley Judd :))

  • NovicaNovica Posts: 23,887
    edited December 1969

    Thank you :) I made changes, turned her in all directions, more slider work, turned her, more slider, turned her...for several hours- and that was just the face. It was because it was so much FUN! I didnt want a drop dead gorgeous model, I tried for a pretty gal. She looks good from all angles. Haven't started really messing with the hair morphs yet. Just got a couple strands out of the eyes.

    I just got up at 2pm (six hours of sleep) so I can pour over this thread. I do have one thing that I found- this was on the right side of the page, not left- that's why I couldn't find it when it was mentioned. (Not complaining, really appreciate the help.) Thought I would show that so other newbies would know.

    Another thing (can you tell training was my profession?) to remember, that little box up there changes, depending on what is selected. If you have Scene, it gives you different options than if Parameters is selected. I know, common sense would tell you that, but not necessarily for noobs.

    Will check out the videos and tutorials now.
    (In this view, the smoothing iterations and the collision are both on 9)

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  • NovicaNovica Posts: 23,887
    edited February 2013

    Thought I would also share this- the model I used is below. I'm using Genesis. Here ya go: (love her!)
    http://www.daz3d.com/caitlyn-for-victoria-42-genesis


    A few adjustments but not many. The shirt can be had for $1.99 and is Casual 1950 For Genesis Female. Here's a closeup of my figure wearing it. You can also compare her more easily to Caitlyn, in a front view.

    Love the texture. I also like that it shows a lot of skin, but is definitely family friendly. Can't go wrong for 1.99. (If you're new and haven't joined the Platinum Club, consider doing so. You'll easily save the initial cost of signing up (if it's still what, $30?) in what you save on items. You can do the monthly and stock up, and quit at any time. Ok, off my soapbox.)

    http://www.daz3d.com/casual-1950-for-genesis-female

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  • KharmaKharma Posts: 3,214
    edited December 1969

    Added Caitlyn to my wishlist :) holding back on shopping till march madness, still need to install all my products with DIM.

    That was good info on the smoothing modifier, haven't used it so when I need to I will at least know where it is

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