8.1... I got some questions.

hhglick

I see 8.1 has been rolled out.  It looks like its got some new stuff.  Nothing really making me do cartwheels.  I get it, its 8.1, not 9 so there isnt going to be a jump like we saw from G3 to G8.

That being said, its not an inexpensive proposition to switch models.  Is 8.1 going to be the new norm?  Is it going to be around for the next 3-5 years like G8 or is it going to be around for a year and then G9 will roll out?  I'm trying to decide if its worth investing in these new models.  

The next question... the anatomical bits.  It looks like the only way to get the anitomical bits for the G8 models is by getting a particular bundle?  Is that true?  Aside from pushing these PC themed bundles, I don't understand why the anitomical bits wouldnt just come with the basic model?  or be available to purchase seperately?  Am I missing something here?

Last question... can I toss my G8 stuff (hair, clothes, props) on my G8.1 or do I need to run it through some type of converter?

Appologies if these querstions have been asked and answered a hundred times, I couldnt find anything.

Petra

G8.1 is free and you will get both the G8.1 Male and G8.1 Female, simply by updating the Starter Essentials for both Male and Female.

All hair. clothes, shoes and poses and props from G8 can be used for G 8.1 but not the expressions, they will not work on G8.1.

You won't be able to use G8.1 specific clothing and such, on G8 though.

I bought several bundles over the years, for both G3 and G8 because of lovely hair and clothing and that is how I got the anatomical.

Not sure why they do not sell them separately as they do with the HD Addons.

 

PerttiA

The G8 expressions can be made to work quite easily.

Kevin Sanderson

hhglick, learn to use Google to search the forum. Google always spiders the forums. Most of your questions have been answered before. Nobody knows on the customer end how long anything runs. There is no published road map, and if they did, they wouldn't be able to always stick to it as evidenced on other sites. You can pretty much always use the content in DS, you just may not be able to take advantage of newer tech, for example using newer clothing on older models. Plenty of users have and use older models. Invest in the newer tech if you wish. Just remember this is always a moving target and with newer video cards always coming out, who knows what features you'll want down the road. Generally pro-bundles contain the genitals, though a recent bundle had them. Only important if you're doing some nudes...most aren't and you could render most just fine without even if you were..

Catherine3678ab

@ hhglick  you're always quite welcome to ask questions in these forums, that's why they are here ;-)

A lot of the main changes for 8.1 are of interest to the animators for the different type of expressions possible with it. That is also why the expressions for 8 will not work on 8.1 and vice versa.

It has always been the way here that one needs to buy an adult "pro" bundle to get the geometry for the genders. Selling feature ;-)  The difference for 8.1 though is that the V8.1 and M8.1 are available in bundles with the geometry for the opposite gender. This is a first here.

Also if you have upgraded to the most recent edition of D/S - there was an upgrade made for the Iray shaders for certain skin presets such as those that come with V8.1 and M8.1. Those new Iray shaders do not work in the earlier editions.

While clothing, etc. is supposed to work from 8 to 8.1 - there have been some issues with some products and poses. Generally speaking most if not all should be able to be used "one way or another" from 8 to 8.1. Footwear can be loaded as props and parented to the figure for example.

As to whether any product is "worth" investing in, that is totally your call. If you like the price and want the product, that's your decision. If you want the product and don't like the price, wait awhile. Eventually everything goes on sale :-)