Timeline and keyframe frustration

TheKD

OK, I am trying to do a dforce animation sequnce. On keyframe 0, zero pose, floating above the seat object dforce static object, create keyframe. Move timeline to frame 20, use a pose preset that I want, create a keyframe. Move to frame 30, move the figure to just above but not intersecting object, create a keyframe. Put animation frames 1 - 31 in simulation tab. Hit simulate, figure is not in zero pose on frame 0 anymore, it's in the pose from frame 20 keyframe. What is going on? Why is daz studio changing my set keyframes? That is just the latest one, it messed up keyframes somehow in previous attempts too.

TheKD

Well, I think I may have figured it out, if anyone else has keyframes mysteriously changing on you for no reason you can decipher, check to make sure the box right next to the create keyframe button says "node recursive" in it and not just "node".

Flortale

I'm wondering if there is a better animation solution for DAZ assets, perhaps something similar to Source Film Maker?  It's hard to make animations in DAZ and IRAY renders for animation take FOREVER, especially if you want 60fps. 

edit: It looks like the new version of DAZ has updated animation tools. I'm currently looking for at tutorial that showcases these updates, but can't find one.  Here is the new DAZ video show casing the new animation updates: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=USST-RIuxoc

TheKD

Yeah, I don't render animations, that would take Forevaaaaaaaaaa lol. Even on my 2080 super, unless it's an outdoor scene with an hdri, each render is taking at least 30 mins to render. Last one was almost 2 hours, hate indoor renders lol.

chorse

TheKD said:

OK, I am trying to do a dforce animation sequnce. On keyframe 0, zero pose, floating above the seat object dforce static object, create keyframe. Move timeline to frame 20, use a pose preset that I want, create a keyframe. Move to frame 30, move the figure to just above but not intersecting object, create a keyframe. Put animation frames 1 - 31 in simulation tab. Hit simulate, figure is not in zero pose on frame 0 anymore, it's in the pose from frame 20 keyframe. What is going on? Why is daz studio changing my set keyframes? That is just the latest one, it messed up keyframes somehow in previous attempts too.

Make sure everything is keyframed on frist frame.  It should already be done, but to make sure; Select all objects in the scene (CTL+A} and manually keyframe them on frame 0.  Also I would have "object" selected selected not "node".  in addition, between major keyframes, I would double click the object or character to chose the top level object and manually add keyframe.  This will keyframe all bones and properties selected under type in the new timeline. For adjustment  to the in-betweens (frames between keyframes); you can use the defualt key frame action, which is automatically keyframe the nodes that have chaged.   The reason you keyframe all bones and properties between major poses, is so you can make changes or adjustment to the tweens, without effecting the object or characters poses out side the keyframes.

TheKD

Appreciate the tips, I am really not an animation guy, but some poses you kinda have to animate it to get it to look decent. I don't use dforce clothes too often, I would rather make my own stuff and simulate in MD, I just wanted to make some "quick art" for once, and not take a month of production doing it lol.

Silver Dolphin

Iclone has Iray animations. It works OK, way better than studio but you have to use 3dexchange to get things into Iclone. Oh it is a extra paid for plugins for both 3dexchange and Iray inside Iclone 7. They are expensive, but if you have deep pockets it works well. If you want to go a cheaper route use diffomatic plugin and do your animations in Blender with evee. If you are a Iray diehard you can use free Otoy Octain for Blender render engine.