Next version?

245

Comments

  • DrowElfMorwenDrowElfMorwen Posts: 538
    edited January 2015

    I'm just going to post and say--Yes DAZ please release a new Hexagon, because I want to get into it. But the age of the program and the fact it crashes all the time (according to many posts I've read here and elsewhere) makes me reluctant... >.>

    Please for the sake of, er, money, release a new one! :D

    Post edited by DrowElfMorwen on
  • Laticis ImageryLaticis Imagery Posts: 476
    edited December 1969

    cekuhnen said:
    But it is outdated and hardly developed.

    and that's big the problem :)

    I think those that use know it has potential to be awesome, but as you say, the longer those years keep dividing the application from the rest the harder it will become.

    Modo, was my alternative solution but I just couldn't get into, even though it has much more functionality as a modeller the simple steps just seemed harder...I mean slower. That being said I am just about to fork out some cash for the Mesh Fusion Plugin
    might be just the thing I need to break through the mental barrier I have had with it.

  • Laticis ImageryLaticis Imagery Posts: 476
    edited December 1969

    I'm just going to post and say--Yes DAZ please release a new Hexagon, because I want to get into it. But the age of the program and the fact it crashes all the time (according to many posts I've read here and elsewhere) makes me reluctant... >.>

    Please for the sake of, er, money, release a new one! :D

    That being said, any crashes I get are very minimal...running on a Win 7 64bit - for the price ;) it is worth it as it is.

  • GarrettDRGarrettDR Posts: 229
    edited December 1969

    I agree with Laticis 100%. "Hexagon still in 2015 can do a job and well". I checked out your Black Jack tutorial and must say that it inspires me to do a, "Laticis - Black Jack - Inspired Zombie". I just hate it that I am at work and have to focus my attention on writing code. I have downloaded Blender in the past, and it seems all I ever remember of it is uninstalling it because I was frustrated. I think I might have another go at it (Blender) along with my learning sessions of Carrara. I also wanted to say thanks to Laticis for the links to the freebies mentioned earlier! I plan on downloading those when I get home to add to my toybox. You never know when something can be used. I have collected freebies for years and it is sad on my part that when I come around to using something, I never could remember where I got it or who to thank, so," Thanks!"

  • GarrettDRGarrettDR Posts: 229
    edited December 1969

    Ok, I just wanted to add this. I just got off the Blender site, and it does look fantastic! But it also reminded me of why I like Hexagon, and this is just me. I like Hexagon because it is only a modeler. For Me, I am not interested in Animation, Physics, Motion capturing, etc. I think it is totally awesome that Blender has all these abilities and I understand that the more it can do, the less you have to worry about exporting your object from one app to another. I'm just not as good with the all in one apps that everyone else is. Anyway, I am going to try Blender and when/if I get frustrated because I cant create a prop for an Image in DAZ Studio, I 'll go back to Hexagon, where I can model it out in 15 minutes and get back to my creative dance.

  • RectroRectro Posts: 35
    edited December 1969

    GarrettDR said:
    Ok, I just wanted to add this. I just got off the Blender site, and it does look fantastic! But it also reminded me of why I like Hexagon, and this is just me. I like Hexagon because it is only a modeler. For Me, I am not interested in Animation, Physics, Motion capturing, etc..

    This is one of the very things that enables Hexagon to be such as fast modeller, its no more than that. This is why for the likes of Modo, Blender and other such applications it cant be helped to produce a dense feature set without making it somewhat complicated in use. That said there certainly are some things that Hexagon is missing that it could take from the likes of Modo, but at Hexagons core basics, it enables me to work extremely fast. Maybe DAZ needs a good number of emails asking for Hexagon to be back in development, but the issue I think is finding someone to work with the code it currently has.

  • GarrettDRGarrettDR Posts: 229
    edited January 2015

    I agree CGDreams. Since DAZ is still selling Hexagon 2.5, I think they are basing it on sales. I don't know if it is selling.Just as Laticis stated, (paraphrasing), "Stablizing the current version, fixing the bugs, and offering a 64 bit version, anything else would be a plus". I 100% agree! The low overhead with a 64 bit stable version and a plus would be multiple monitor use, I would definitely shed a tear and a benjamin!

    Post edited by GarrettDR on
  • genejokegenejoke Posts: 129
    edited December 1969

    I like hexagon, but stabilty can be an issue. I tend to mix my work flow with blender and hexagon. both have their advantages and who knows, one day might even get good at modelling.

  • Eric3dddEric3ddd Posts: 67
    edited December 1969

    GarrettDR said:
    Since DAZ is still selling Hexagon 2.5, I think they are basing it on sales. I don't know if it is selling.

    Speaking of sales, I can't find Hexagon or Carrara anywhere on the Daz site. It looks like they dropped everything but Daz Studio (and content, of course).
  • DrowElfMorwenDrowElfMorwen Posts: 538
    edited January 2015

    GarrettDR said:

    It's good the Carrara Pro is on such a good sale price. But has Carrara ever been free? Or has anyone noticed a price pattern? I'm wondering if I should try to buy it now, or wait... ~_~ Cause spending less money would be my ideal goal. Or none. (Well, DAZ Studio has been free many times, and Hexagon too, if I recall correctly).

    Post edited by DrowElfMorwen on
  • fixmypcmikefixmypcmike Posts: 19,583
    edited December 1969

    It's good the Carrara Pro is on such a good sale price. But has Carrara ever been free? Or has anyone noticed a price pattern? I'm wondering if I should try to buy it now, or wait... ~_~ Cause spending less money would be my ideal goal. Or none. (Well, DAZ Studio has been free many times, and Hexagon too, if I recall correctly).

    Carrara has never been free (at least not since I've been here). Bryce and Hexagon were free for a while.

  • namffuaknamffuak Posts: 4,146
    edited December 1969

    It's good the Carrara Pro is on such a good sale price. But has Carrara ever been free? Or has anyone noticed a price pattern? I'm wondering if I should try to buy it now, or wait... ~_~ Cause spending less money would be my ideal goal. Or none. (Well, DAZ Studio has been free many times, and Hexagon too, if I recall correctly).

    Carrara has never been free (at least not since I've been here). Bryce and Hexagon were free for a while.

    I got Carrara 5 pro free on a dvd with 3D Artist magazine about the time 6 came out; the serial number was actually published on the full-page DAZ ad. And it was acceptable to get upgrade pricing on 6.0. But that was the last time Carrara was free.

  • GarrettDRGarrettDR Posts: 229
    edited January 2015

    I bought Carrara 8.5 Pro for 65.00 as a PC member.Buy it while you can. You will feel tingly inside contributing.

    Post edited by GarrettDR on
  • Eric3dddEric3ddd Posts: 67
    edited December 1969

    GarrettDR said:

    Yes, but it's no longer on the home page nor is it available through the normal navigation under Software. Why are they buried so far into the site except if they're no longer part of Daz's strategy?
  • Eric3dddEric3ddd Posts: 67
    edited December 1969

    Carrara has never been free (at least not since I've been here). Bryce and Hexagon were free for a while.

    An old version of Carrara was free at one time. Hexagon has been free and $2 several times, which is why I have 4 licenses for it.

    Sometimes it's worth registering for Platinum Club, use your PC coupon and discount to purchase the software, then cancel PC subscription. Do the math.

  • NovaNova Posts: 252
    edited December 1969

    wir wüssten nicht was man an Hexagon verbessern sollte, es ist ein großartiges Programm, weshalb eine neue Version ?
    Gut es könnte Stabiler laufen aber alles noch im grünen Bereich.

    Wer was anderes will sollte Blender sich holen, dies ist Kostenlos.


    Du kannst ein Wort mit einen Kugelschreiber schreiben der 5 EUR kostet und mit einen der 500 EUR kostet ... das Wort bleibt das gleiche... in dem fall die Geometrische Figur.

    Viele Leute fehlt es an Kreativität und Geduld... beides braucht Zeit.

  • RaytownmikeRaytownmike Posts: 61
    edited December 1969

    Google Translation: we did not know what to improve on Hexagon, there is a
    great program, so a new version?
    Well, it could run stable but everything is still alright.

    Who wants what else should get Blender, this is free.


    You can have a word with a pen to write the costs 5 EUR and
    with a 500 EUR costs ... the word remains the same ... in which case
    the geometric figure.

    Many people lack creativity and patience ... both take time.

    What?

  • Jay VersluisJay Versluis Posts: 252
    edited December 1969

    I totally agree with everyone's opinion that a new version of Hexagon would be great, for the same reasons already mentioned: stability, and maybe added features. And I also dislike that we don't get an official word from DAZ if any developments on Hexagon are in the pipeline.

    At the same time, I'm grateful that Hexagon - as it is - is still available. Because if they'd pull it, there would be no legal way for us to obtain it anymore (unless you're a previous customer). So in a way I'm glad it's still on sale from the official source, and I do not have to hunt around on torrent sites.

    Realistically though, even if DAZ would hire a full time developer for $100+k per year, there's very little chance to compile code from back then with today's development tools. Sifting through code that another team has written a decade ago and making sense of it isn't easy, let alone applying updates to it. And making something 64bit isn't just a tick box either.

    It pains me to say this, but in light of the huge competition in the 3D modelling app market, I doubt that it would be economical to spend any time or money on the further development of Hexagon - or Carrara for that matter. Sadly this is a trend that is clearly reflected in DAZ's new website where neither of these apps take centre stage anymore, as they once did.

    And while Hexagon is still running on today's operating systems, let's enjoy it for what it is. Forget the future. Hexagon is here for us today. Enjoy it while you can. Especially when used together with other modelling apps, it's is another wonderful tool in the pipeline. My two cents.

  • kyoto kidkyoto kid Posts: 41,052
    edited April 2015

    ...well Carrara just had two beta updates released recently. So I don't think Daz has given up on it.

    As to Hexagon I agree with many here that for the task of modelling, it is a very elegant programme compared to Modo, ZBrush or especially Blender. It's basic operation is simple and straightforward, no shortcut keys to have to memorise out of the box or odd windowing to deal with. It is also a totally dedicated modeller, without a lot of extra bells and whistles to "gum up the works" so to say. I have Daz Studio (now with Iray), Bryce, Carrara, and PoserPro. I don't need a programme does everything especially considering that Daz Studio has bridges to both Bryce and Hexagon.

    What I do need is a stable modeller, one that can handle large polycounts as well as multiple levels of SubD and Smoothing without choking because it ran out of memory. Even though I have Hexagon set to large address aware, it still freezes up without warning requiring shutting down the process in Windows Task Manager (also running Win7 64, SP1).

    I tested Silo (2.1), locked it up within 15 min just trying to create a simple 1950s styled rocket ship. Personally speaking, I still prefer the UI and look of Hexagon plus the ability to directly import/export between it and Daz.

    Unlike many here, I spent a fair amount for Hexagon before it was ever offered as a PC product or for free. Really would like to see it fixed rather than having to plunk down more money for an a different programme or locking myself away for a couple years like a monk to try and figure out the mysteries of Blender's UI and tools.

    Post edited by kyoto kid on
  • Laticis ImageryLaticis Imagery Posts: 476
    edited December 1969

    I must say, I was quite surprised / impressed with Pixologic and its ZModeler, I think it is showing very real potential and has areas that blow Hexagon out of the water.
    It is very intuitive BUT not designed for accuracy, just quick down right awesome concept.

    I never installed Hexagon on my new PC and currently ZBrush has almost filled the gap nicely.......but I will keeping wishing to see the revival of Hexagon.

    As for a stable modeler that can handle very very High Poly Count - ZBrush ;)

  • bighbigh Posts: 8,147
    edited December 1969

    Kyoto Kid said:
    ...well Carrara just had two beta updates released recently. So I don't think Daz has given up on it.

    As to Hexagon I agree with many here that for the task of modelling, it is a very elegant programme compared to Modo, ZBrush or especially Blender. It's basic operation is simple and straightforward, no shortcut keys to have to memorise out of the box or odd windowing to deal with. It is also a totally dedicated modeller, without a lot of extra bells and whistles to "gum up the works" so to say. I have Daz Studio (now with Iray), Bryce, Carrara, and PoserPro. I don't need a programme does everything especially considering that Daz Studio has bridges to both Bryce and Hexagon.

    What I do need is a stable modeller, one that can handle large polycounts as well as multiple levels of SubD and Smoothing without choking because it ran out of memory. Even though I have Hexagon set to large address aware, it still freezes up without warning requiring shutting down the process in Windows Task Manager (also running Win7 64, SP1).

    I tested Silo (2.1), locked it up within 15 min just trying to create a simple 1950s styled rocket ship. Personally speaking, I still prefer the UI and look of Hexagon plus the ability to directly import/export between it and Daz.

    Unlike many here, I spent a fair amount for Hexagon before it was ever offered as a PC product or for free. Really would like to see it fixed rather than having to plunk down more money for an a different programme or locking myself away for a couple years like a monk to try and figure out the mysteries of Blender's UI and tools.

    you don't have to learn Blender !
    there are at least 50 free modeling programing .

  • bighbigh Posts: 8,147
    edited December 1969

    Laticis said:
    I must say, I was quite surprised / impressed with Pixologic and its ZModeler, I think it is showing very real potential and has areas that blow Hexagon out of the water.
    It is very intuitive BUT not designed for accuracy, just quick down right awesome concept.

    I never installed Hexagon on my new PC and currently ZBrush has almost filled the gap nicely.......but I will keeping wishing to see the revival of Hexagon.

    As for a stable modeler that can handle very very High Poly Count - ZBrush ;)

    $ 700 - it should

  • Laticis ImageryLaticis Imagery Posts: 476
    edited December 1969

    true......but they don't charge for upgrades :) and it does so much more. ( though still lacking in some areas - but not many )

  • RoygeeRoygee Posts: 2,247
    edited December 1969

    I echo what has been said about Hex as far as being a simple to use, great modeler - it's a downright sin to allow it languish.

    As far as the 50 free modelers are concerned, excepting for Blender, they are worth what you pay for them, compared to Hex :)

    Standalone good modelers - Silo has been revived, then there is NVille, very advanced, would be great if there was some way of learning it. last i saw, there was a dearth of documentation and tuts are rare.

    Blender is actually not as bad as its reputation. The UI is being constantly changed to be more user-friendly. The horror of having to learn all those hotkeys is almost a thing of the past - most functions can be called from menus and the hotkeys are now simply short-cuts to speed up workflow.

    I even have it on the Hexagon theme and the workflow is very much Heaxagon-like, but with many more functions.

    If an oldie like me can learn it, it can't be that bad!

  • LegalizeAdulthoodLegalizeAdulthood Posts: 115
    edited December 1969

    OK, still a n00b in Hexagon, but it seems to have lots of features. Some people have mentioned on this thread that they'd like to see some new features, but I'm left wondering what's missing? I mean, I've read some books on organic modeling and they use only a handful of operations to do everything you need, so with the big pile of icons on Hexagon's toolbars, I'm wondering what's missing?

    One thing I've seen happen to software is that it becomes a "kitchen sink" of every feature known to man and the software just gets more complicated, not necessarily better. I mean, most people never use more than 2% of the functionality in Word or Excel, yet they keep piling on features and making it harder to use for the average guy just to stretch a little farther and handle an edge case for a few more people. Is that really what I want in a modeler? Hexagon will never be 3DS Max or Maya. Those are products with a team of 15 people that have invested multiple decades of development, representing a total engineering investment somewhere in the hundreds of millions of dollars. Hexagon will never be that -- and I'm glad. It certainly could be more than it is now, but I'm not seeing any huge gaps in it as a pure modeler. Maybe I could see adding rigging support directly in Hexagon, but Studio already has all the rigging tools. It would only make sense to add some kind of rigging to Hexagon to support a different rigging system like those used in a game engine.

  • Laticis ImageryLaticis Imagery Posts: 476
    edited December 1969

    I would say there are probably two main things most are looking for from Hexagon.

    Stability across all platforms and operating systems.

    64 Bit to open up memory.

    Hexagon itself is an awesome modelling app for both organic and hard-surface. Simple and Elegant.

  • kyoto kidkyoto kid Posts: 41,052
    edited December 1969

    Laticis said:
    I must say, I was quite surprised / impressed with Pixologic and its ZModeler, I think it is showing very real potential and has areas that blow Hexagon out of the water.
    It is very intuitive BUT not designed for accuracy, just quick down right awesome concept.

    I never installed Hexagon on my new PC and currently ZBrush has almost filled the gap nicely.......but I will keeping wishing to see the revival of Hexagon.

    As for a stable modeler that can handle very very High Poly Count - ZBrush ;)


    ...yeah, but can't afford 800$ for a modeller on my income.
  • kyoto kidkyoto kid Posts: 41,052
    edited December 1969

    Roygee said:
    I echo what has been said about Hex as far as being a simple to use, great modeler - it's a downright sin to allow it languish.

    As far as the 50 free modelers are concerned, excepting for Blender, they are worth what you pay for them, compared to Hex :)

    Standalone good modelers - Silo has been revived, then there is NVille, very advanced, would be great if there was some way of learning it. last i saw, there was a dearth of documentation and tuts are rare.

    Blender is actually not as bad as its reputation. The UI is being constantly changed to be more user-friendly. The horror of having to learn all those hotkeys is almost a thing of the past - most functions can be called from menus and the hotkeys are now simply short-cuts to speed up workflow.

    I even have it on the Hexagon theme and the workflow is very much Heaxagon-like, but with many more functions.

    If an oldie like me can learn it, it can't be that bad!


    ...I tried the latest version of Blender and still found myself stymied. It needs better undo and camera movement controls. The fact when it opens it is not even viewing though the main camera like other applications do is just one thing I do not like. If Andrew's original proposals were adopted then yes, I would probably be using it.

    Also was turned off by the way he was treated by many in the community and during the conference when he proposed the UI makeover. Comments I heard and read from so called "professionals" were often rude, childish, if not downright insulting.

  • kyoto kidkyoto kid Posts: 41,052
    edited December 1969

    OK, still a n00b in Hexagon, but it seems to have lots of features. Some people have mentioned on this thread that they'd like to see some new features, but I'm left wondering what's missing? I mean, I've read some books on organic modeling and they use only a handful of operations to do everything you need, so with the big pile of icons on Hexagon's toolbars, I'm wondering what's missing?

    One thing I've seen happen to software is that it becomes a "kitchen sink" of every feature known to man and the software just gets more complicated, not necessarily better. I mean, most people never use more than 2% of the functionality in Word or Excel, yet they keep piling on features and making it harder to use for the average guy just to stretch a little farther and handle an edge case for a few more people. Is that really what I want in a modeler? Hexagon will never be 3DS Max or Maya. Those are products with a team of 15 people that have invested multiple decades of development, representing a total engineering investment somewhere in the hundreds of millions of dollars. Hexagon will never be that -- and I'm glad. It certainly could be more than it is now, but I'm not seeing any huge gaps in it as a pure modeler. Maybe I could see adding rigging support directly in Hexagon, but Studio already has all the rigging tools. It would only make sense to add some kind of rigging to Hexagon to support a different rigging system like those used in a game engine.


    ...improved UV mapping and sculpting would be good additions. Other than that nothing else. Also I keep wondering why does it still have Second Life primitives? Does anyone use that anymore?
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