Daz 3D is part of 
Connect
DAZ Productions, Inc.
7533 S Center View Ct #4664
West Jordan, UT 84084
Licensing Agreement | Terms of Service | Privacy Policy | EULA
© 2024 Daz Productions Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Comments
Many thanks for your kind words.
I'm glad that the things I picked up in this forum and through tutorials helped. :-)
Best wishes
Sigrid
LOL, I learned how to read in school and I simply read through the first post in this thread. Not very complicated. But I know what you mean.
I was not sure if the size of the picture is acceptable because it doesn't say in the rule. So I had a look at the other entries and noticed that they are very different. I had a smaller render as well but it didn't look as good as the big one. So I decided to enter with this version.
I worked hard on the picture. The camera angle and the lighting gave me trouble. So I am glad it is done now.
You are very encouraging.
Best wishes
Sigrid
Thank you, Dana.
The building is only a wall with a window (and on top of that rotated 180° because the window was too low originally). It's the first link, I believe, the one from Morphography. The site is great. There is also a basic box in the scene where the basketball hoop is but you cannot see it in the render so I removed the link to that.
Sigrid
Well, we check out by noon, so this will be my last visit today until either late tonight or tomorrow.
Behave! :roll:
Dana
You really do great, Selias19, and we all mean it. I hope it's your first, but not last time to play with us. The entry award should be issued soon. Have fun!
It's quiet in here ... too quiet ...
(sets a booby-trapped pie for the next person in)
ARGHHH>............ ya got me rob......resets for the next sucker and runs off to take a shower.
Black Brandy ignored the hints of hidden treasure written in her grandfather's journal until she found a hidden note tucked into the cover with a clue to its location. Once she saw what was on that scrap of paper nothing could slow her down – not a hook hand, not the band of rival pirates trying to steal the book from her, not even the conveniently missing page from the journal were going to stop her from finding that treasure.
Freebies:
1. Kiko (I only used the texture) - http://rendercandy.com/product_info.php/products_id/132?osCsid=9eadfea2869c22004de7814d4115fdd2
2. Hook Hand is part of the “Bucklin Gear” freebie set - http://www.runtimedna.com/newsletter/2011_09_23/index.html
3. **Autum Hair - http://3druntime.com/forum/index.php?topic=235.0
4. **Salem Hair (I only used the bangs) - http://3druntime.com/forum/index.php?topic=229.0
5. **Salem Outfit - http://3druntime.com/forum/index.php?topic=228.0
6. **Skull Necklace, Armbands, and Leather Choker are from “UG” - http://www.3duniverse.co.za/store/product/?UG
7. **Table and Chairs - http://www.renderosity.com/mod/freestuff/details.php?item_id=55921
8. **Coins on table - http://www.3duniverse.co.za/store/product/?Piggy-Bank
9. **Sword is from “Dennis Props” - http://www.3duniverse.co.za/store/product/?Dennis-Props
10. **Telescope - http://www.renderosity.com/mod/freestuff/details.php?item_id=61208
11. Metal Stein - http://www.ageofarmour.com/3d/free/steins.php
12. **Journal - http://www.sharecg.com/v/66786/view/11/Poser/20-Page-Poseable-Book
13. **Texture used on Journal - http://www.sharecg.com/v/66921/
14. **Hourglass - http://forum.runtimedna.com/downloads.php?do=file&id=20
15. Paper (by the sword) and Green Bottle (standing up) are from the “Garbage” set. Scroll down to 2009 - http://forum.runtimedna.com/content.php?49-Shocktober-2010
16. **Hidden Note (on her hook) is the Paper Bag resized - http://www.sharecg.com/v/23918/related/11/Poser/Plain-Paper-Bag
17. Long Piece of Paper (partway under book) - http://www.runtimedna.com/newsletter/2012_11_02/index.html
18. Rope (wrapped around the base of the hourglass) - http://www.runtimedna.com/newsletter/2013_04_26/index.html
19. Dried Flowers (sitting on the journal) - http://www.runtimedna.com/newsletter/2013_03_08/index.html
20. Coin Pouch - http://www.runtimedna.com/newsletter/2013_05_10/index.html
21. **Green Bottle (on its side) - http://www.sharecg.com/v/36510
22. **Candle (plus candle holder and matches) - http://www.sharecg.com/v/25595/browse/11/Poser/Candle-Set
** Free Registration Required
Paid Items:
1. The Girl 4 - http://www.daz3d.com/the-girl-4-base
2. Victoria 4.2 Morphs ++ - http://www.daz3d.com/victoria-4-2-morphs
3. Scull Cove Pirate Ship - http://www.daz3d.com/skull-cove-pirate-ship
No Count Items:
Victoria 4.2 Base (needed for “The Girl 4”)
DAZ Primitives (free with DAZ Studio - made tiny and put where her hook goes through the paper)
Rendered in DAZ Studio 4.6 - No Postwork
Hope I did this right :)
I wanted to do so much more, but this month sort of got away from me. I tend to lose track of days so I figured if I tried to work on it any longer next thing I know it'd be December.
__________*UPDATE*__________
Changed a few things based on suggestions :)
1. Fixed the shading and got rid of the 'speckled' shadows.
2. Fixed a couple of collision issues.
3. Improved the bump on ropes, table, and chairs.
4. Got rid of the “plastic” setting on the table and chairs.
5. Created a shadow of her hook on the paper she's holding. (I couldn't get it with the lighting so I made a second instance of the same hook, changed the color to black, and turned down the opacity.)
6. Added some tiny DAZ Studio primitives around the hook where it's poking through the paper, to give it more depth.
Good job! Looks like a woman on a mission!
Dana
very nice MegonNoel. and welcome, I don't recall seeing you in here before. I like your sexy bada$$ pirate girl. good lighting and great realism. again I'll let music or the other judges check links. I'm still on the recovery list for a few more weeks.
Welcome MegonNoel,
I am the judge jeeperz was hunting for. I just got back to civilization today. Was in the wilds of Alaska for a bit. So as a judge I am suppose to provide a small critique of your render. This is my set of opinions and should only be considered if you find them helpful.
Technical
Your links check out and you have identified the sites that require registration. You also have the requisite number of freebies and have not exceeded the number of paid fors. You have a mighty fine list there. I have all sorts of goodies to play with. I thank you for that. So based upon my findings your render meets the qualifications but it is the host that must accept your render and I am sure he will.
Composition and Artistic
You have a lovely render. I like the way you have framed Girl (and it is so nice to see her) with the structure of the ship and the light and dark areas. You have a nice sense of lighting and because of this you have developed a nice depth of field that adds interest to the render. I also like your attention to detail and I can see that you have put a lot of work in creating you composite image with the use of multiple instances of objects arranged in a pleasing manner and the significant modification of the models to make them work for you.
It looks like you have used Uber lights in the image. I love these lights they can make DAZ do wonderful things. One thing about Uber lights is that when using them, playing around with the quality of the Uber light is important to getting the best quality for ambient occlusion or the subtle shadows in the render. I usually play around with the Occlusion Samples and the Shading Rate. The higher the number the finer the rendering is. So for instance the spots you see on Girl's shoulders would become less distinct and a more even tone would be achieved. Upping these numbers does require more render time.
Uber lighting also lets you make glass sparkle so that the green bottle would have some caustic effects. This is done by changing the render settings. You can find these under the Render Settings tab. The two most important settings are the Max Ray Trace Depth and the Shading Rate. Max Ray Trace Depth should be less than 2 and the Shading Rate should be around 0.10, These settings are what should be used on the final render because they will make the runtime of your render much longer. I found that adamr001 has a nice set of scripts that will set up your render for various types of qualities. It is here. Another important thing to remember is that the glass needs to have something to reflect. In other words light bounced off of objects in the scene hit the glass and bounce back to the camera to give a reflection. What I have found works for me is to always add a dome, sky or IBL, to the scene so that I have sources of surfaces that let light bounce around and I don't have big black spaces where the light has gone out of the scene never to return.
Another thing I would consider doing to the render is to play with the bump settings on the ship's rope and wood stairs and the table and chairs surfaces. I find that the setting that DAZ understands from the Poser files just doesn't translate like it should. Sometimes the bump images don't even get loaded. I find that if I add the bump image and set the bump to 100% and the negative value to -.15 and the positive value to .15 I am happier with the result. This goes for even the DAZ material files, sometimes. I guess my eyes or my monitor just need that extra little nudge.
All of these changes are very subtle but by considering them, a layer of detail is added that makes the eye and the brain sit up and take notice. As always, these are my opinions. If you are happy with your work then I am happy. You can choose to play and explore or not to. It is your choice.
Welcome Sigrid,
It is most wonderful that you are willing to participate in the contest.
Technical
Your links check out and you have identified the sites that require registration. You also have the requisite number of freebies and have no paid fors. Based upon my findings your render meets the qualifications but it is the host that must accept your render and I am sure he will.
Composition and Artistic
You have a charming render. You need to sign your work. There is very nice lighting with some interesting shadows going on in the render. The poses of the children are convincing. I especially like the expressions on the faces of the children. It is one of the areas that I have the most difficulty in getting right. I like the way you have layered your scene with the wall and then the trees. You then echo the lines with the sidewalk joints. A nice way to make the eye travel through the render. I think though that the basketball is trying to steal the show. It has been placed right in the middle of the render and happens to be a color that pulls the ball even more forward. The title of the piece indicates that the focus of the render is to be the children so maybe what is needed is to pull the camera in more tightly on the children to make them bigger. I would also make the ball less bright orange. I would try and make it scuffed up and faded to help play down its strong presence.
As always, these are just ideas to play with, to see what else can be done with a render and to learn from. If you are happy with the render then I am happy.
Alaska?... *jealous* One day I WILL go there (preferable in time to see Iditarod) Alaska is on the list, and so is Yukon.. and a few other places in US and Canada :)
Anyhow Dolly, welcome back to civilization :)
glad to see you back dollygirl, lucky you, went to Alaska. My husband's home state. I've never been though. His family came over in the late 1800's and taught the Eskimo's how to be reindeer herders. They still have property in Unalakleet.
hands judging staff back over to you.
Hello, and welcome! It looks like you did things right... ;-)
Being the last judge in gives me very little to critique that hasn't already been said. The composition and the artistic merit of your render are both good. On the technical side, one thing you might want to double-check is the surfaces - have you set the lighting model of the props to metallic or matte (as appropriate) instead of plastic? The sword and the candle look a bit off to me; that might be because of the Uber light you used, or it might be because of the lighting model, or it might be because of my monitor.
Thanks everybody. Going to Alaska was a bucket list item for my husband. It was fun seeing him act like a kid in a candy store on this trip. Alaska is a wonderful place to experience. We took lots of pictures so you might see some of them in my work. You just can't beat what nature gives up for stunning and majestic scenery.
MegonNoel, it's the first render in the thread using G4, but you definitely brought out her bit-of-a-pesky, wacky side! The style is rather toon, but this time it really doesn't matter. She doesn't mind her hook or whatever, it's only her and the treasure. I like the claustrophobia I get from seeing that cramped ship - there is no place to swing a cat, but she somehow works there perfectly. It must be the chanting of coins that's singing her a lullaby, so to speak :P.
You made a good use of freebies, didn't exceed the paid-for items' limit and even remembered to identify registration-requiring sites. I enjoy that you took Autumn Hair and fitted it to G4 - this updo hair shows her mischievous side. She resembles a charlatan of some sort and I like that look, it's not easy to get! Lighting seems correct. I agree with my interlocutors that you can make some nice effects on the bottle, but it may be omitted if you say you did it on purpose - to exaggerate the toon looks of the pirate. G4 is such an exaggerated character and just like with 3D Universe's items, the environment must correspond with that look. The necklace is such a sweet little detail there! What I strongly recommend you to change is the shader of that candle. It looks a bit unnatural for my taste, but it's up to you. So, to sum it up, good job and welcome!
Dana & Jeeperz – Thanks for the welcome, this was lots of fun! I have participated once before, and swore I'd be back... It just took me longer than I'd hoped :)
Yep, you were right. I completely missed switching from “plastic” on a handful of items. For me the most noticeable was the weird shine on the chair behind her. Weirdly, the candle refused the change no matter what I did to it.
Thanks Cecilia! I played around with the bottle effects and I got some really amazing results. But once rendered, the bottle ended up taking too much attention away from the Girl. I completely agree with you on the candle – I tried a lot of settings and nothing changed it. I'm thinking that I'll probably make my own texture for it for future renders.
Question - I've updated my render based on suggestions. Do I just edit my original entry post and replace the picture with the new one?
It's up to you, both options are equally allowed (based off previous editions of the contest). I'm glad if my tip helped you. If you like, you can insert your own texture via Shaders Tab. There are free shaders too (Wilmap has a few nice sets). My advice is to find an unrestricted wax texture, possibly a seamless one, and apply it as a shader. Good places to find such files include DeviantArt, MS Office cliparts (if you have MS Office, you're free to download them) or ShareCG. Teknology3D also has free textures.
You can then change the diffuse colour. When you go to Shaders Tab, click onto your candle so that it highlights and then - that gray box. You should get a few options like "Browse to texture" and "None". First choose "None" (you'll get an untextured prop) and then "Browse to texture" - locate your graphic file and choose "Open". You should get it wrapped around the candle. Finally, if you like, try to play around with colours, especially diffuse ones. Hope that helps!
Well, it took me a bit longer than expected, but I think my entry is finally ready (well, as ready as it's probably gonna be...judges, be gentle :P )
UPDATED AUGUST 28TH, MORE FREEBIES ADDED, WATER IMPROVED (and thanks to Dollygirl for giving me some nice suggestions on how to improve the render!)
Title: I Can Still Have Fun
"Just because I only have one leg doesn't mean I can't have fun posing for pictures on the beach! Though it would be nice if you took the pictures quickly, balancing on one leg isn't as easy as I make it look, you know...
Freebie Items
1) Satsuki for A4 (Face Morph) - http://www.renderosity.com/mod/freestuff/details.php?item_id=58496 (requires registration)
2) Far East Girls Collection II for A4 (Skin Texture Only) - http://www.sharecg.com/v/62353/browse/11/Poser/Far-East-Girls-Collection-II-for-A4 (requires registration)
3) Tofu's Skin Presets for DAZ Default Shader (Skin shader used on main character) - http://tofusan.cocolog-nifty.com/blog/freebies2.html
4) Nene Hair - http://redviper.spirit5.com/download/ (6th link from the top)
5) Sunglasses - http://www.renderosity.com/mod/freestuff/details.php?item_id=61337 (registration required)
6) Textures for Sunny Bikini - http://www.renderosity.com/mod/freestuff/details.php?item_id=64264 (registration required)
7) Dr. Wiz's Magic (Amputation) Magnets for V4 - http://ampgfx.net/props/model.htm
8) AX Beach - http://www.renderosity.com/mod/freestuff/details.php?item_id=57065 (registration required)
9) AX Beach Expansion - http://www.renderosity.com/mod/freestuff/details.php?item_id=57116 (registration required)
10) Glass Shaders (used on the lenses of the sunglasses) - http://morganrlewis.deviantart.com/art/Glass-Shader-Presets-for-DS-86711865
11) Sunny Backyard (Beach Ring and Beach Ball props) - http://redviper.spirit5.com/download/ (last item on list)
12) Cara for V4 (MATs on background character) - http://www.renderosity.com/mod/freestuff/details.php?item_id=64311 (registration required)
13) Carrie for V4 (Head Morph for background character) - http://www.sharecg.com/v/49417/gallery/21/DAZ-Studio/Carrie-for-v4 (registration required)
14) Felicity Hair (Hair on background character) - http://www.morphography.uk.vu/dlfelicity.html
15) Swimsuit for V4 (Clothing on background character) - http://www.renderosity.com/mod/freestuff/details.php?item_id=55038 (registration required)
16) EvilInnocence's Swimsuit Texture Pack (MAT for clothing on background character) - http://www.renderosity.com/mod/freestuff/details.php?item_id=57985 (registration required)
17) K4 Swimmers (Clothing on background child) - http://www.faeriedreams.com/store/index.php?main_page=page_3&zenid=54dceea6bbb6cbf071b4ea5137e603ce
18) Koz's Pony Tail (Hair on background child) - http://digitalbabes.jp/dload/Koz'sPony.html
19) Clara for K4 by Anat Dayag (MATs for background child - thanks to cecilia.robinson for finding the link!) - http://forum.runtimedna.com/content.php?91-RDNA-s-13-Days-of-the-Nutcracker-Christmas-Day-10
Paid Items
Aiko 4 Base (DAZ)
Perfect V4 Complete (Renderosity)
Predatron's Essential Lights & Skies (DAZ)
Uncounted Items
Victoria 4.2 Base (DAZ)
Kids 4 Base (DAZ)
Sunny Bikini by Bucketload3D (freebie apparently no longer available)
Sophie K4 by Lully (Head Morph for background child - freebie apparently longer available)
As Cecilia says you may update your render or submit it as a second entry. If you do update the original post then add a new post telling everyone what you did. This way our hosts for our gallery will know to update your entry.
As for the tips your welcome, anytime.
Welcome Cyonix,
I will try to be very gentle. It is Monday after all so we need to start out easy.
Technical
All of your links check out and you have identified the sites that require registration. Your list of freebies are what I call a compendium of workhorses. Features that should be in everyone's bag of tools. A very nice list. I thank you for pointing the way to them. Based upon my review you have met the requirements of the challenge. The host will have to give the final say so but I believe that he will.
Composition and Artistic
You have accomplished in a very simple manner the essence of the challenge. Nicely done. You have made water which is not easy to do in DAZ. I like your DOF as well, it adds interest to the render. Your pose is believable too. You need to sign your work. You did a nice job.
The following are my opinions and as such you can take them as you will. So the first thing I noticed about your render was the purple water so I did some playing in Paintshop Pro to see what was going on. I found that if I changed the purple hue color just a little bit more to bright blue then what I get is a more blue color with a red/purple sun reflection. So I would change the diffuse color to a bright blue which might give a more blue water look. If that doesn't work then I would look at the specular color and the ambient color but change only the colors and nothing else. You have amazing water, it is just the lighting and color combo that I would want to adjusted.
Although I said that I like the simplicity of the render for my personal tastes I would add just a few more details, a rock or two or a strand of seaweed on the beach and under the water would add just a little more detail and keep the eye on the render a little more longer. I might add some people playing in the background to emphasize that she is not letting her disability stop her from enjoying life. I would keep all of the beach detail, rocks, seaweed and people in the same coordinates as the palms, this way the focal point is still her and that nice DOF is kept.
As always, these are just ideas, what you have is very nice. You do not have to incorporate any of the comments, if you are happy with your render then I am happy.
Very well done! I like the colors, I like the calm but still moving water, I like the depth of field effect.
Dana
Made some changes to my entry and updated my original post (with the new picture and a list of changes).
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/26505/P330/#413358
Thanks so much for the suggestions! Still haven't found a texture that I like for the candle, so I'll proabably end up making my own for future renders :)
I don't know whether I'm going to have time to do another render this month, and if I do it probably won't need a wheelchair... so I thought I'd point out this one that isn't from Ziggy's Model Emporium in case somebody else wants to use it.
http://ni-in-bdx.cocolog-nifty.com/blog/2012/09/post-c2ad.html
Where is the man? I was hoping to drop a Few GC's but I only found one accepted so far. I'll get you done tonight little one I've not forgot you. Its just easier to do many at once IF I can.
Welcome Sigrid. Thanks for entering. This is a wonderful entry. It covers everything. Good render, good theme coverage, good lighting, good freebies. All complete. Jeeperz is right, you do get the rules...lol. Thanks.
A few things here though....the first link takes you to the Morphography free stuff download page. I do not know what for, so we can not count that one. Also, the second link is a direct link (may not be allowed by the site!) to some kind of window. I did not download it because I don't download direct links, too dangerous. I will assume you mean the windows on the building, so if so...please change it to a regular download so we can see the item before we download it. No direct linking if possible. That's it, all else is good.
ENTRY ACCEPTED.
Nice pirate scene Alexa. I went ahead and added the other two links for the M4 Nicholus skin texture you used, just in case someone wants the entire character and all his parts. All looks good here. Nice wood shader...no link?
ENTRY ACCEPTED.
There is something about this render that I really like. It is the way you craddled the scene in. Everything you need to see is right there. It reminds me of a Disney scene...no kidding! Just quaint and complete. The only thing I would have done differently is I would have put some much rougher dirtier looking clothes on her. She looks like she is going to a ball in that outfit...lol. But all in all, a super render. Thanks for entering.
ENTRY ACCEPTED.
:-)