Novica & Serene Night’s Renders, Tips, Tutorials & Product Reviews PART 2

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Comments

  • Scott LivingstonScott Livingston Posts: 4,340
    edited November 2013

    Yeah, seems like there have been so many deals flying around that it's hard to keep track of them all. I'm very happy with my purchases, freebies, and rewards from the PC sale--but I realized that I'd forgotten to spend my two $2 tier one coupons that expired on Sunday. Whoops.

    Novica said:
    I wonder if DAZ is feeling the heat from the "mega prize" from quite a few people and due to the backlash is making it worthwhile to have achieved the tiers.

    Probably it's because they know people are trying to save up for M6, so to increase sales in the meantime they want to offer some "irresistible" deals. Worked for me, at least... Though on the other hand, the PAs themselves usually have some say on when their stuff goes on sale. Stonemason is probably running this sale in order to drum up publicity for his StreetWear brand.

    ('Course this is just speculation...)

    Post edited by Scott Livingston on
  • NovicaNovica Posts: 23,887
    edited December 1969

    I'm sure you're not alone in the "oops forgot to use" category. I'm glad there is auto fill in the shopping cart because at least that helps you see if the code has been used.

    I would love to get the $60 bundle that would be $30 but it's just not something that I would use that much (future urban) and that money needs to go to M6. It absolutely boggles the mind to have a $120 product by such a good artist for $30 and yet to pass on it because the entire store is 75% off for me.

    And then every day you wonder if some of the PAs in the promo are having sales and I just can't check every one every day!

  • Serene NightSerene Night Posts: 17,651
    edited December 1969

    I think coupon codes that you are eligible for should appear as an option during checkout.

    If a coupon is a multi-use coupon off of a pa, then it should auto-apply when a pa with the qualifying sale item's content is in the cart.

    Single use coupons should be user selected of course..

    I've found certain sets by stonemason I use more than others. I tend to use Sector 15 a lot. This set has a nice medical lab, and is a wee bit more than an empty interior building. I also really like Utopia Labs.

  • anikadanikad Posts: 1,919
    edited December 1969

    In case anyone hasn't seen it there is a $5 discount on orders of $30 or more. Automatically applied so it will stack with the Mega-PA coupon. There are also November Door Busters - spend $10 or more and get one of these items free: http://www.daz3d.com/november-door-busters. All items must be in the cart and anything on that order is not eligible for return.

  • NovicaNovica Posts: 23,887
    edited December 1969

    Unless I'm misunderstanding what you're saying- It can't stack with the Mega PA discount because only one code can be used at a time :) I had to make a choice between getting 50% off the 50% or get $5 off each $30.00 order- so obviously I went with the 75% off. That's what SereneNight is saying- the discounts should stack themselves in the cart, when we have to use codes only one can be used.

    It does stack with the products already marked 50%- but if you're tier 2, use the PA discount code.

  • anikadanikad Posts: 1,919
    edited December 1969

    Sorry, there is no code. The $5 is automatically taken off in the cart once you hit the $30 threshold. You can then use your MEGA PA ccoupon.

  • anikadanikad Posts: 1,919
    edited December 1969

    Here is two screenshots of my cart. The first is at $30, notice the $5 discounts without me putting in a code. The second is using the PA code in conjunction with the auto discount.

    megapa.JPG
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    autodiscount.JPG
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  • Serene NightSerene Night Posts: 17,651
    edited December 1969

    Thanks for the tips Anikad. Having the coupie auto apply is really good, and a step in the right direction.

    I think those doorbusters are mostly PC items. I probably have- and do not use- many of them. Interesting what gets cycled around.

  • Serene NightSerene Night Posts: 17,651
    edited December 1969

    Anikad: Novica wanted me to post that when she first used the couple it did not auto apply, but when she tried the second time it worked. She reordered everything.

  • anikadanikad Posts: 1,919
    edited December 1969

    Glad to hear it's working for her. However just to warn you Daz just questioned one of my refund requests and I've read elsewhere that they've been refusing refunds because coupons have been used. I wonder if the 30 day MBG is about to go by the wayside.

  • Serene NightSerene Night Posts: 17,651
    edited November 2013

    Someone was asking about Crazy Locks Male hair so I am posting some renders. This reminds me a lot of elements hair. There is some deforming around the bangs area-often when adjustments made which aren't to my taste, which make it look 'bendy.' Perhaps someone has some suggestions about this? There are a LOT of adjustments though, Perhaps this will suit someone else's tastes. It doesn't look good to me.

    Hair23.jpg
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    Hair2.jpg
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    crazy-locks.jpg
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    Post edited by Serene Night on
  • Serene NightSerene Night Posts: 17,651
    edited December 1969

    anikad said:
    Glad to hear it's working for her. However just to warn you Daz just questioned one of my refund requests and I've read elsewhere that they've been refusing refunds because coupons have been used. I wonder if the 30 day MBG is about to go by the wayside.

    I'll let her know. =-)

  • barbultbarbult Posts: 24,245
    edited December 1969

    Someone was asking about Crazy Locks Male hair so I am posting some renders. This reminds me a lot of elements hair. There is some deforming around the bangs area-often when adjustments made which aren't to my taste, which make it look 'bendy.' Perhaps someone has some suggestions about this? There are a LOT of adjustments though, Perhaps this will suit someone else's tastes.

    Thanks for posting the renders. I'll skip this product. I need to be more selective and less seduced by price. I suggest you return it, if you don't like it. If we buy and keep stuff like this, they'll keep giving us more of it.
  • John SimsJohn Sims Posts: 360
    edited December 1969

    Someone was asking about Crazy Locks Male hair so I am posting some renders. This reminds me a lot of elements hair. There is some deforming around the bangs area-often when adjustments made which aren't to my taste, which make it look 'bendy.' Perhaps someone has some suggestions about this? There are a LOT of adjustments though, Perhaps this will suit someone else's tastes.

    It just looks strange. Why would hair be long at the front but have a short clump over the left eye (unless it had been caught in a machine). I' m after some cheap Genesis male hair but this isnt it.

    Thanks for the renders they confirmed my initial suspicions - it looks ridiculous.

  • barbultbarbult Posts: 24,245
    edited December 1969

    Timeless Male Hair http://www.daz3d.com/timeless-male-hair-for-genesis is a nice one if you want the clean cut look.
    K-Nicky http://www.daz3d.com/k-nicky-hair-for-genesis is nice, too.

  • IndigoJansonIndigoJanson Posts: 1,100
    edited December 1969

    Thanks for the previews, Serene Night. I have this one in my basket as male hair doesn't come along at this price often. It does look a bit too solid though. I won't rush in just yet, now we're not getting a discount price on day of release.

  • NovicaNovica Posts: 23,887
    edited December 1969

    Well after SEVEN HOURS of Cloud Fare in Miami not being able to connect to DAZ (and I am demanding that for my last order they take $5 off as I could NOT get through to order during the promotion- I am TIRED OF THIS) I can finally get back onto the site. That's why SereneNight had to post for me, we were emailing back and forth. I wish to thank Anikad for telling us the $5 was automatic in the cart.

    I've got to cancel the order where I repurchased everything (not a return) as that wasn't working for me in the cart (giving me a $5 discount.) So poor Britney would have had to figure out what could be put together to best get me as many $30 groups as possible, so I didn't want to take the new mom. :)

    Sometimes when the hair is wonky, doing windswept with the hair will straighten out the kinks if that is one of the morph options. Make them blow to the sides. There's too many hairs that are kinky nowadays. I can do the artwork and fix them but geez.

  • Serene NightSerene Night Posts: 17,651
    edited December 1969

    barbult said:
    Timeless Male Hair http://www.daz3d.com/timeless-male-hair-for-genesis is a nice one if you want the clean cut look.
    K-Nicky http://www.daz3d.com/k-nicky-hair-for-genesis is nice, too.

    Yes. Both of those hairs are some of my favorites! Thanks for posting those links!

  • Serene NightSerene Night Posts: 17,651
    edited November 2013

    I admit I was disappointed in the way the hair rendered on genesis. It may be a hair that doesn't stand closeup work too well and looks better for distant work. .

    I tend to purchase only the hair the first time around, and if I like it then I buy the color pack. I won't be buying the color pack. It reminds me somewhat of this hair. Elements Hair, which has the same kind of over-the-eye hair lock design

    01_elementshairgen_mainpromo.jpg
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    Post edited by Serene Night on
  • NovicaNovica Posts: 23,887
    edited December 1969

    The top knot reminds me of satin ribbon, not hair. With some brush work it could be interesting but I'd have to take the time to do it and I don't always want to do that.

    Going to point out something that I had passed over many times
    http://www.daz3d.com/boudoir-bundle

    That has SO much in it that it isn't even funny. The backdrops (TEN) and chaise lounger (with multiple colors) are nice, and the poses can be used as a good starting point to adjust for other poses. Think rotating too- if a figure is lying down, what would that same pose look like when rotated? Some goodies there. The lingerie could actually be layered under another top and you'd have a modern hit the street look instead of underwear.

    You get lighting props and different lighting. It's the entire ball of wax, so take a peak. If you are tier 2, you're getting this $65 bundle (with FIVE other products, not just 2 or 3) for $25.98 then half of that- $12.99

  • Serene NightSerene Night Posts: 17,651
    edited December 1969

    I'd be curious what you can do with that Novica. =-) But I know how busy you are.

    Dreamlight's store is at 75% right now, AND it stacks with the coupon from the PA sale for even deeper discounts.

    While I admit, I no longer buy dreamlight's lights- they seem too bright to me, there are a number of interesting sets in his store at steep discounts and I did pick up one of their training modules

  • Serene NightSerene Night Posts: 17,651
    edited November 2013

    Starship Corridor
    http://www.daz3d.com/starship-corridor-a1-for-ds

    Todays review is: Starship Corridor

    Starship Corridor is a smallscale environment which loads with floor, surrounding walls, pipes etc, grouped but capable of being hidden. Lights are included and a single camera, which has depth of field on. The scene loads without any fanfare and renders well. Considering it is 75% off and I ended up getting it for less than the cost of a PC item- $2.00 with my mega coupon it is a very nice bargain, I am quite happy with it. About the only thing I don’t personally care for is the neon bright buttons. I’m not a fan of bright blocky buttons in my Science Fiction renders. It gives the image a dated Original Trek look. However, in this case, there aren’t too many and you can remove them from the scene if they bug you.

    This will be useful for the inevitable scene where the character must climb up into a maintenance shaft and perhaps encounters a critter…. =-) That huge old-fashioned fan certainly gives the impression that this is an out-of-the-way cubbyhole.

    Images:

    1. The corridor
    2. Close-up view of the fan.


    Edited to add: The set includes instructions on how to achieve a glow effect with the lights in photoshop. I may try that if I get time.

    starshipcor2.jpg
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    starshipcoor1.jpg
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    Post edited by Serene Night on
  • NovicaNovica Posts: 23,887
    edited November 2013

    I'm shopping and getting these for props that are hard to find:

    http://www.daz3d.com/hot-uniforms-soldier look at those military props! includes a pants, top, belt, boots, necklace, holster, beret, glasses pistol and rifle

    http://www.daz3d.com/hi-fantasy-cowgirl-for-v4 for the gunbelt, cowboy hat, etc- BOOTS WITHOUT A TALL HEEL!

    Yes, it's also in the PA sale for the tiers. It's flash right now.
    So 60% plus I get 50%. I've got 4 things for about $15
    Going to be trying that bodysuit under some of these, that's for sure, lol. But some of these pieces would be great layered under other pieces of clothing. Take a look at the morphs too- the clothing can be made more family friendly.

    EDIT: one of the other ones is http://www.daz3d.com/moonlight-shadow
    I don't know why I like that top, but I do. That's what I am thinking about layering with another shirt.

    Post edited by Novica on
  • Tramp GraphicsTramp Graphics Posts: 2,411
    edited December 1969

    Novica said:
    I'm shopping and getting these for props that are hard to find:

    http://www.daz3d.com/hot-uniforms-soldier look at those military props! includes a pants, top, belt, boots, necklace, holster, beret, glasses pistol and rifle

    http://www.daz3d.com/hi-fantasy-cowgirl-for-v4 for the gunbelt, cowboy hat, etc- BOOTS WITHOUT A TALL HEEL!

    Yes, it's also in the PA sale for the tiers. It's flash right now.
    So 60% plus I get 50%. I've got 4 things for about $15
    Going to be trying that bodysuit under some of these, that's for sure, lol. But some of these pieces would be great layered under other pieces of clothing. Take a look at the morphs too- the clothing can be made more family friendly.

    EDIT: one of the other ones is http://www.daz3d.com/moonlight-shadow
    I don't know why I like that top, but I do. That's what I am thinking about layering with another shirt.

    While the weapons and boots are cool, everything else about that V4 "military Uniform" set is completely wrong, and I can say that with absolute confidence as a Veteran of the US Army. BDU pants don't have drawstrings at the waist, soldiers don't wear tank tops. Dog tags hang from two chains (one directly from the main neck chain and the second from a smaller chain hanging from the main chain). The beret is unshaped, and missing the unit flash and crest. And the belt is wrong too. A standard uniform web belt doesn't have the grommets running the length of the belt, only the LBE belt does. The LBE belt doesn't have a brass buckle, the dress belt (which is black) does. It's fine for "mercenary" characters, but not for actual soldiers in a modern setting. I'll pass.
  • NovicaNovica Posts: 23,887
    edited December 1969

    LOL- I was an Army officer- I have no intention of using the props as real-life examples (and the uniform, not at all.)

  • Serene NightSerene Night Posts: 17,651
    edited December 1969

    Something tells me Pretty3d's content is all about the fantasy and far less to do with reality. =-)

    What's up with fastgrab? Still only the two items all week? Thats sad. Novica and I love fast grab.

    I see there is a new Everyday food but the bundles are broken. Will wait for that to get fixed.

  • NovicaNovica Posts: 23,887
    edited December 1969

    I was beginning to think my cache just wasn't clearing for that Fast Grab page!

    Did you notice the Everyday Food was out?
    I had to do a double take at the way the promo was set up. I thought you had to choose from only those five items to make a bundle when I first saw it. The only thing I want is the food, lol.

  • KharmaKharma Posts: 3,214
    edited December 1969

    I'd be curious what you can do with that Novica. =-) But I know how busy you are.

    Dreamlight's store is at 75% right now, AND it stacks with the coupon from the PA sale for even deeper discounts.

    While I admit, I no longer buy dreamlight's lights- they seem too bright to me, there are a number of interesting sets in his store at steep discounts and I did pick up one of their training modules

    If I could have gotten his new fantasy art tutorial, I would have but no new releases of course. I have several of his tutorials but I find he rambles on and on instead of just getting on with the lesson and alot of his work seems to focus more on lightwave than DS

  • Serene NightSerene Night Posts: 17,651
    edited November 2013

    Kharma said:
    If I could have gotten his new fantasy art tutorial, I would have but no new releases of course. I have several of his tutorials but I find he rambles on and on instead of just getting on with the lesson and alot of his work seems to focus more on lightwave than DS[/quote

    Thanks for the feedback. I haven't had a chance to use it yet, but it will be disappointing if it isn't more focused on daz. Would be great if the lightwave stuff was in one tutorial and DS in another. =-) Busy this week, but I liked the space 'backdrops' included in the bundle.

    I also picked up his cloud pictures. I tend to do a lot of sky renders and a hundred commercial use photos of sky may come in handy at some point.

    Post edited by Serene Night on
  • Serene NightSerene Night Posts: 17,651
    edited December 1969

    Novica said:
    I was beginning to think my cache just wasn't clearing for that Fast Grab page!

    Did you notice the Everyday Food was out?
    I had to do a double take at the way the promo was set up. I thought you had to choose from only those five items to make a bundle when I first saw it. The only thing I want is the food, lol.

    Yep, Everday food looks like it will need to make a nice thanksgiving table render puzzle... If I have the time. =-)

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