question about Rarestone
wmiller314
Posts: 184
My question is how rarestone acheives the very unique and specific look of all his/her/they/whatever renders. They all have this unique sort of dreamy quality, almost like their is a film over the lens of the camera. I'm not even sure how to describe it, but if you look at any rarestone products you'll see instantly what I mean. They all look almost washed out. Grrrrr. Again, I can't describe it, but I'd like to know how that is done. Anyone know? And can they tell me how to acheive a similar look, or point me to a youtube video that teaches this method? Thanks.
Nam is a good example: https://www.daz3d.com/nam-terror-set-for-genesis-8-female
This pose pack is an even better example: https://www.daz3d.com/all-sweet-poses-4th-youth-collection
Here's another: https://www.daz3d.com/hd-kayla-remake-and-kayla-hair-for-genesis-8-female-
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Yeh I know what you mean. Some of the images seem to have been layered in PS, so in a sense they do have a layer over them.
There are many ways to accomplish the types of output that Rarestone achieves. While I'm not sure exactly what software they're using or the exact process, I am relatively sure that it includes a healthy dose of post (in the form of color grading, LUTs, or something similar). I also wouldn't be surprised if they render out 32-bit EXR files for higher dynamic range (Iray canvases).
What 2d image editing software do you use? I don't know if you picked up the Nik Collection from Google while it was still free, but I think using those tools to process HDR output from DS might be a good place to start.
- Greg
As an example, here's a promo I did for the European Apartment set showing the output straight from DS (just a tonemapped EXR) and the corresponding final image processed using the Nik Tools (as a plugin to Photoshop):
It's not exactly like Rarestone's images, but it does show you what's possible with an actual before/after, and there's tons of options and control. Anyway, hope this gives you some terms to google more info about.
- Greg
Can confirm the Nik Collection is great for getting that kind of look. I abuse the heck out of the analog camera presets, which have stuff like light leaks, matte filters, film grain, and bokeh. The regular filter list also includes classical soft focus, which automatically gives images that kind of dreamy, gauzy halo.
It's a super flexible plugin and amazing for postwork, but the current version is eyewateringly expensive.I think DxO raised the price recently, because I remember getting it for $60-something on sale when it was usually $70ish.
Searching for analog or vintage presets/overlays/actions on a site like Creative Market should pull up a ton of individual resources for this kind of postwork. Sometimes you'll find templates that are 100% set up and all you have to do is insert your image and then adjust the layers, but it comes down to whether you like to play with the cool toys yourself.
Yeah I know the feeling, but is obvious that is 70% Artistical merit and 30% Photoshop mastery,
I had the same feeling when I traveled to Japan, they do a render standard that is identical in many videogame companies and some japanese business that never got right recreating equally on my daz environment:
when you visit Kabukicho there is a render girl in some business that uses this same render preset.
Here are a couple of the Nik Analog Camera effects similar to Rarestone's promos. The first one is Classic Camera 7, which I use probably more than anything else (compare it to the second terror poses promo for Nam). The second image is a combination of one of the film grain presets and classical soft focus. I almost never use them at full strength and usually combine two or three (or ten...).
Long story short: image editing is fun. :D (And @algovincian I love the promo renders for that set, they nailed exactly what my brain thinks is happening behind me every time I watch a horror movie.)
i use free NIK but, hopefully not straying too far off topic, when I load it, I get a box stating there is an update.. I'm not too inclined to do it as the free version has become pay for ... thinking it might update to new version and I will be forced to pay for it. Probably wroth it as the filters are awesome good, bit moeny is always tight.
I've found free PSD Actions that, in some way, can enhance your renders, they're on dA, just look for "PSD Actions"
my examples, the lower right got me speechless...better than my original image!
Yeah, if you have the free version the upgrade is probably to v3. I don't think it'll auto update, but I don't believe any of the previous updates to the older version are available anymore either.
For those of us following along at home....
"About" the Nik Collection
Homepage for Nik Collection Spoiler Alert- its $149
maybe try this
1. duplicate the layer in photoshop
2. gaussian blur it
3. desaturate it
4. screen it over the other layer
5. add film grain to liking
Alternatively, turn on bloom for soft / pastel effect if the lighting is right.
yea, or just render with bloom and desaturate it a little bit afterwards. also use large pixel filter radius and low contrast. I like to use the blackman-haris pixel filter (daz doesn't have but blender does) for film-like effects.
I think you can still get the old, free version of Nik Collection here:
https://nikcollection.dxo.com/nik-collection-2012/
Lots of Photoshop actions and other stuff here:
https://www.photowhoa.com/product-category/photoshop-bundle/?orderby=date
If you use Light Room, go to the presets and there's some that give a very, very similar look to Rarestone's promos.
Have you bought anything through them? I was looking at picking up their LUT bundle.
Wow! You this community is so excellent. Thanks for all the tips and tricks. You've given me a lot to Google. Thanks especially to Algovincian for the tip on Nik software and to Apocalypse_Cow ( I love the smell of napalm in the morning - if I had a nickle for everytime my boyfriend made me watch that movie!) for the tip on the free version. It does still work for anyone interested. I just downloaded the free older version and maganed to get it installed after some trial and error. I'll upload a quck render I did and I'd appreciate your feedback. Let me know what you think.
Yes, the Mood Effects bundle (60 actions), I am planning on buying some others too.
Here are some test samples I once made from Mood Effects, first image is the original render: https://taosoft.dk/temp/Moods/index.htm
Another thing to try is playing with contrast. Try making the blacks not so dark, and then test what happens if you brighten the highlights or dim them. This can be achieved somewhat in Daz, if you look under the Tonemapper options. Look for the "Burn Highlights" area, and test having the shadows section set lower than what it defaults to.
Cool - thanks for sharing! I like that one too - might get them both :)
Thanks for showing what the mood effects filters/scripts can do @taoz. I just grabbed it. There are also a lot of good photoshop actions that are sold individually at graphicriver
Interesting thread. After all of those years, I am still a newbie at postprocessing techniques for renders.
Thanks @taoz. I've been playing with LUTs lately and will give that a go.
I can second GraphicRiver @WorldsEdge. I've had good luck using them.
Another is CreativeMarket (creativemarket.com). They seem to run a little more expensive than others, but do have some unique actions and other add-ons.
Thanks @Worlds_Edge and @Umi no Senshi no Ishi, I can see I already have a freebie from GraphicsRiver which I picked up at Envato once, but their own site has some interesting things I haven't seen before. I'm definitely going to get that Paper Sketch action.
I use CreativeMarket a lot. They offer a rotating weeklyselection of free products, and if you spend a certain amount of money it unlocks more free products. I've gotten some really nice stuff I couldn't have afforded to spring for that way. Many creators will offer their work at multiple sites, though, so if you see something that catches your eye it's always a good idea to search for it and see if they priced it differently on another marketplace.
For what it's worth, I use Alien Skin for a lot of my postprocessing as well as Nik. I usually process my EXR files to get a flat base exposure, similar to how you would when using real film, then I add a little detail with Nik (detail extractor), make some curve adjustments and finish with toning in Alien Skin and possibly a LUT if the image needs it.
Anyone having issue with Nam Terror Set? Looks like the categorization is broken. Can't find it on the Smart Content under figures.
Alien Skin Software's filters are great — they rebranded as Exposure Software — and Exposure X6 and Snap Art 4 are great Photoshop filters to apply on Daz Studio renders.
The only problem I've encountered seems to be that there's no "remove" option for the Terror Teeth shape.