Essential Products (in your view)
davidjones8418
Posts: 167
Obviously this is going to differ from person to person, but some products are absolute game changers.Scene Optimizer was one. The SY Clothing Fit Helpers were another (d-formers ugh!). I would like to think I have the main game changers but that is probably naive. Am I missing anything super obvious? I usually render indoor scenes, 2-3 characters, a few props, Genesis 8. Still scenes only.
I have (alphabetically):
1. Aging Morphs (M/F) and Aging Face Details (M/F)
2. Altern8
3. ManFridays Render Queue
4. Mesh Grabber
5. Scene Optimizer
6. SY Clothing Fit Helper Male/Female
These were all revolutionary for me. Obviously models, shaders, props etc but they do not impact every scene. I use these in every scene I do. Well, the render queue when I have a few stacked up.
If there is there anything not there that makes you think "My God, how is he getting along without that?", it would be super helpful to know what that is in your view! I am enjoying Daz a lot and learning loads but constantly finding I don't know what I don't know!
All suggestions gratefully received.
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Comments
I would add
Look at me II Pose Control
Make Me Punk Shaders and Decals
Make Me Punk doesn't seem obvious but I use it so much. I wish I understood when I was a beginner the importance and power of shaders. I wasted hundreds of dollars on products when all I needed was a few shaders. Oh well, live and learn.
Look at me II is one you'll say how did I get along without this. Same with Eye Clock, which is similar.
Also Rauko's YouTube vidoes have been extremely helpful, much more so than some tutorials I purchased in the Daz store.
It is astonishing how incredibly bad the search is in the Daz store. I just searched for "Look at me" and "Make Me Punk" with no results. How does this happen? I write SQL in Hadoop, SQL Server, and Oracle all day. Maybe Daz needs to hire me, this is ridiculous. If I find the links I will paste them.
One thing I sometimes forget is that it auto-hides what you own.
Thank you, that is super helpful.
I guess Daz staff can't really weigh in on this, so it is good to get some insight on it. Of all the Daz stuff I have bought, it is utilities like these that have made the biggest difference.
I will check out the videos you mention too.
I was able to scan thru all my content in Daz Central and find them. I bought Eye Clock before I found Look at me II, you probably don't need Eye Clock if you have Look at me II, but both are good. Look at me II is gold. I'm a big fan of Riversoft Art. Light probes is excellent. I'm sure you can use point lights instead of buying this, and I'm sure you can use a screwdriver to pound a nail too. It just makes it easier. Skin builder is indispensable. And Biscuits Jam hair might not be a game changer utility, however, it is extremely versatile and replaced several other hairs I had (and wasted money on). Wish I'd found it before I bought them.
https://www.daz3d.com/look-at-me-ii-pose-control
https://www.daz3d.com/eye-clock-pose-control-for-genesis-3-and-8-male-s-and-female-s
https://www.daz3d.com/colorwerks-hair-shaders-for-iray
https://www.daz3d.com/iray-light-probe-kit
https://www.daz3d.com/skin-builder-8-for-genesis-8-females
https://www.daz3d.com/biscuits-jam-hair-with-dforce-for-genesis-8-females
In reading this thread it's very obvious everyone has their own choices/needs. Personally I have no use for the SY Clothing Fit Helper, ManFridays Render Queue or aging morphs. I do agree on Altern8 though, very useful. I do use scene optimizer, but only when I need to which isn't that often. Same with Skin Builder 8, great tool, but something I don't use often. Many of the programs and plugins in the store are things that make it easier to use what is already built into DS. I tend to use the tools in DS first (when I can) and create presets or shortcuts rather than spending money to have someone else do it.
for me, all of Mec4ds PBR shader packs are a must. All of Linday's dforce hairs are a must have and pretty much all I ever use. Both female 3rd party genitals at renderotica are essential. genX and Xtransfer are both essential for transferring morphs across generations. Soto's breast utilities for GF8 are essential for me. And of course the base morph packs so I can tweak/create my own shapes..
oh, and any and every high heel I can find in any 3Dshop, LOL
Why do you say you have no use for ManFridays Render queue? After I found that I was able to get a full night sleep instead of waking up in the middle of the night to kick off the next render. Is there something better?
Different uses, I have no need to do one render after another. I guess it's a good tool for those doing comics or VNs, but for single renders, I can't see a use.
Thanks for the links and the tips.
I see a 70% discount today on any 5 (non sale, non new) items. Just the ticket for this !
I would say that every beginner should start with
growing up if they plan to use younger characters.
some face and body morph pack for example from Rarestone or other
Something to scale down textures likes cene optimizer
and finally Zbrush (some will complain that it is expensive but ... ;) for quick fixing things as it is much better than using Mesh Grabber and SY Clothing Fit Helper. sometimes it may be even preferable over other products as you can quickly adjust breast size and form fix poke through or improper bending. and it may be even used for some limited sculpting when you need to modify body shape. what pretty much eliminated the need for many other products. Without ZBrush it will not be possible to do any more advanced stuff than simple standing poses.
I would say that every beginner should start with
growing up- if they plan to use younger characters.
some face morph pack for example from Rarestone or other
Zbrush (some will complain that it is expensive but ... ;) for quick fixing things as it is much better than using Mesh Grabber and SY Clothing Fit Helper Male/Female. sometimes it may be even preferable over other products as you can quickly adjust breast size and form fix poke through or improper bending. and it may be even used for some limited sculpting when you need to modify body shape. what pretty much eliminated the need for many other products.
If I were a newbie I would suggest other products too, like ghost light set and hdri toolkit but all that can be done without any extra product.
Some products I use a lot with an eye towards utilities rather than specific characters/hairs/outfits/sets... still obviously very subjective:
XTransfer: https://www.daz3d.com/xtransfer--genesis-3-to-genesis-8-converter
200+ Head and Face Morphs: https://www.daz3d.com/200-plus-head-and-face-morphs-bundle-for-genesis-8-female-s-and-male-s
SWOLE: https://www.daz3d.com/swole-for-genesis-8-male
Grungy Threads: https://www.daz3d.com/ptf-grungy-threads
Fit Control: https://www.daz3d.com/fit-control-bundle-for-genesis-8-females-and-males
Might be redundant if you have SY Clothing Fit Helper (which I don't have), but I'm getting the impression that Fit Control can do more.
V4 & M4 Clones for G8: https://www.daz3d.com/sy-victoria-4-and-michael-4-clones-for-genesis-8
Legacy UVs for G8
https://www.daz3d.com/legacy-uvs-for-genesis-8-victoria-4
https://www.daz3d.com/legacy-uvs-for-genesis-8-michael-4
https://www.daz3d.com/legacy-uvs-for-genesis-8-genesis-2-male-michael-5-and-michael-6
IRAY Converter for Genesis & Generation 4: https://www.daz3d.com/iray-converter-for-genesis-and-generation-4-bundle
I hear there's better options out there by now... but what can I say, I get great results with this.
GenX
https://www.daz3d.com/genesis-generation-x2
https://www.daz3d.com/genx2-addon-for-genesis-2
https://www.daz3d.com/genx2-addon-for-genesis-3
A big, clunky old-timer on its last legs... and yet, I'm putting it on this list.
IRAY Light probe Kit: https://www.daz3d.com/iray-light-probe-kit
Terradome 3: https://www.daz3d.com/terradome-3-iray
DForce Slime & Goo: https://www.daz3d.com/dforce-slime-and-goo
Bodyhair Project 78: https://www.daz3d.com/jepes-bodyhair-project-78
Best male bodyhair I know of.
100 Ultimate Superhero Poses: https://www.daz3d.com/100-ultimate-superhero-poses-for-genesis-8
Fight Lab: https://www.daz3d.com/fight-lab-poses-and-expressions-for-genesis-8-male
These two pose sets just offer incredible value for money.
dForce Magnet: https://www.daz3d.com/dforce-magnet
To be honest I'm using this less than I thought I would... but it's still useful to have.
Anagenessis 2: https://www.daz3d.com/n-g-s-anagenessis-2-revolution
I don't use this all that often, but I got it for very cheap and it's nice to have more option for the skins that you have.
Ultra Genesis Studio Vol. 1: https://www.daz3d.com/ultra-genesis-studio-vol-1-iray-box-lights
This is frequently available for free. I didn't expect much but I use it surprisingly often.
RenderStudio Modular 13 - Lens Flares And Light Beams: https://www.daz3d.com/renderstudio-modular-13-lens-flares-and-light-beams
Another product that's worth grabbing when it's available for free.
Genesis Supersuit: https://www.daz3d.com/supersuit-pro-bundle
This product is obviously rather dated (and it doesn't play well with Smoothing Modifier)... but I got it for very cheap, and I think it's a lot of fun to play around with.
Some free utilities that I consider essential:
SY 200 Morphs for G8: https://sharecg.com/v/91888/gallery/21/DAZ-Studio/SY-200-Morphs-for-Genesis-8-Head-and-Body
Pose Converters:
https://www.sharecg.com/v/89846/browse/8/Script/Daz3d-Pose-Converter-Standalone
https://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/109961/pose-and-animation-conversion-for-multiple-generations-of-daz-figures/p1
https://www.deviantart.com/agentunawares/art/G3M-to-G8M-World-s-Greatest-Pose-Converter-709731867
https://www.deviantart.com/agentunawares/art/G3F-to-G8F-World-s-Greatest-Pose-Converter-709591348
Versatile Tentacle: https://www.sharecg.com/v/63819/related/11/Poser/Versatile-Tentacle-Figure
EasyPose Chain: https://www.sharecg.com/v/54375/gallery/11/Poser/10ft-Easy-Pose-Chain
Morphing Flame: https://www.renderosity.com/rr/mod/freestuff/morphing-flame-for-iray---100-free/76201
Glasses:
https://www.sharecg.com/v/85745/gallery/5/3D-Model/Glasses
https://www.sharecg.com/v/85662/gallery/5/3D-Model/Nerd-glasses-reloaded
And here's two products that I literally just bought yesterday, but I have a feeling that they will be very useful:
Fluidos II Lite: https://www.daz3d.com/fluidos-ii-for-daz-studio--lite-edition
Ultra Scatter Pro: https://www.daz3d.com/ultrascatterpro
Things i use the most:
Mesh Grabber: https://www.daz3d.com/mesh-grabber-win
Rarestone's face morphs: https://www.daz3d.com/rarestone-s-face-morphs-collection-for-genesis-8-male & https://www.daz3d.com/rarestone-s-face-morphs-collection-for-genesis-8-female
SBH shaders: https://www.daz3d.com/real-hair-shaders-for-dforce-and-strand-based-hairs
SurfaceWorx shaders: https://www.daz3d.com/iray-surfaceworx
Freebies:
Textures: https://3dtextures.me/
HDRIs: https://hdrihaven.com/
As others already mentioned different users have different workflows, within this field there really is no "must have". Well, except for Daz Studio of course.
But in my opinion this is pretty much the same as asking "What's the best DAW?". Well, that has the same answer: there isn't any, it all depends on the user(s) and what they need out of it.
Alas, having said that I do have a few things I wouldn't want to go without. However, nothing within Daz Studio, I don't want to rely on tools to make my posing activities "easier" because in my opinion those kind of tools also take away some of your artistic influences. It's also why I hardly use dForce (well, that and the fact that it requires a change in workflow in order to keep things going smoothly), instead I prefer relying on my own impressions of what I think looks right. Not to mention that many tools and scripts merely try to make up for inexperience, at least that's my impression of them. Ergo; get more experienced and things will become easier over time as well. IMO nothing beats a specific workflow.
For example... I often use DS to create a bit of a story / comic. It's been my experience that building the next scene based on the current one can really add something special to the images. Call it a bit of imperfection which can make it more realistic that the figures in the scene actually went from one point to the other. So instead of placing / posing everything from default I change the scenery I made to reflect on the new situation. Of course this doesn't apply when I'm moving to a new environment, but for everything else...
Anyway, having said that I do have a few tools I rely on and don't want to miss...
Bryce
Why use pre-made backdrops when you can relatively easily make your own? Although it's dated as heck I still love the sceneries which you can make with Bryce, especially the way you can make realistic looking clouds. Whenever I'm using an indoors area which has windows I don't bother with pre-made backdrops but instead simply use one (or parts of it) which I made using Bryce.
And as an added bonus Bryce also makes it quite easy to import 2D images and transform them into a 3D landscape. And thanks to the bridge between Bryce & Daz Studio it's pretty easy to move the items between programs.
Hexagon
Also dated as heck and in all fairness I have to mention that I somewhat stopped using Hexagon in favor of ZBrush. Even so I still think this is one heck of a tool to have around if you want to get more out of 3D modelling. Creating morphs for different figures is relatively easy, also thanks to the bridge between DS and Hexagon. And although the actual 3D editing can be tricky to get into, it can also be quite rewarding to make your own 3D props and use those in your sceneries.
Though, as mentioned, I do think it's fair to mention that I'm getting better (or "easier"?) results when using ZBrush. But then again... Hexagon is free while a ZBrush license doesn't exactly come cheap.
As for Daz Studio itself... considering that it's mostly modular and pretty much everything is a plugin (which is a very useful feature in itself: why keep plugins around which you don't use? When I was still on Windows 7/32bit I managed to really optimize my stuff by disabling plugins I had no use for thus saving some precious memory). But anyway... obviously GoZ and the other bridges, and I'm also a huge fan of the Shader mixer plugin/pane. These days I usually put that pane on my second monitor so that it's easy to combine modelling and messing around with the shaders.
And that's my story ;)
Thank you for all your input.
Some real food for thought here.
I appreciate it is hourses for courses, but got to start somewhere and there are some products here I will definitely use (and indeed just obtained!).
I would love to get super competent at all the different packages, and maybe some day I will, but I need results quicker than that in all honesty, and all the help I can get in the meantime.
Thanks again.