Decimator from previous Daz3d release doesn't work -?
rampart_1576840087
Posts: 504
I am not quite sure to go about this. When Daz3d first released the Daz3d Studio, Hexagon,Bryce for free I got the decimator in the package as well.
When I renewed interest in DAZ3D I downloaded and installed the 4.7 version. Couple days ago I installed the Decimator 64bit version I have, but it didn't work. When I review "About Installed Plugins" you can see what I see in the attachment.
Now Daz sells it for $100 regular and on sale now at $50... I need to use the decimator now, installed it and it isnt' working.
If you notice there is a serial number in the DAZ Decimator row, yet below it says unregistered. There was a different installer when I originally downloaded the Daz3d studio. I am not sure I ever downloaded a serial number at that time. I may have used a different login back then as well.
I'm not a tightwad or anything, but it did come with the Studio and I have the files for 64 & 32 bit in my downloads.
No, I don't want to buy it, unless I have to do that. I strongly suggest it is still probably the same plugin, because all the information on it seems to be the same as when I first acquired it.
If I am wrong and I have to buy it, then I would appreciate to hear from someone ASAP. The sale is over tonight.
It may be that I should just buy it and work it out with Sales support.
Any suggestions will be appreciated.
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Comments
Decimator was never given away free with DAZ Studio.
It does not belong to DAZ 3D, and they were not able to supply it free of charge, even when they gave away the Pro version of DAZ Studio.
I bought it as part of a bundle when I bought Pro when it was first released, so it is available in my Product Library. If you bought it (the only way of getting the full version) then it will be in your Product Library, and you can download the latest version.
I bought it in 2011, no problems with it working in current DS here.
My point is. I have decimator files on my HDD among Daz3d downloads. It may be there was a separate free download at some point. I cannot remember. If you look at the attachment you will see there is first portion of a serial number, which I must have entered back then.
I have used several logins. Why...because I often forget previous logins, if I don't spend alot of time on a site. Sometimes I can remember the UID, but I do forget passwords. I change emails about twice a year, because my inbox starts piling up with junk because so-called friendly sites sell my info to others.
So you are saying... it is the same application?
Do you recall how you got it back in 2011?
I know I downloaded the Daz3d applications immediately when they were released free. I was heavy into several projects at the time and didn't have time for the daz learning curve. Daz did indicate we should get the files while they were available, so I jumped on it.
It won't break me to buy it, but I will be annoyed to buy something I already own.
As Jimmy said, Decimator was never free. It was part of DAZ Studio pro, and when the software was made available for free, a different serial number was offered for that version that didn't activate Decimator and you had to buy it to get the license key. I have the paid version of DAZ Studio pro so I have the serial number for the software.
You can check your serial numbers on your account as the serial number should be there on the serial numbers page. If you used multiple accounts, you'll probably have to find out the email addresses that you used and find out which account had it if you paid for DAZ Studio previously to get that license key.
IIRC when DAZ Studio 4 Pro became free Decimator was still included in it but wasn't activated. So you might see Decimator as an inactive plugin but you had to purchase Decimator in order to get the serial number and activate it.
You are probably correct. I never installed it, I remember that much.
Now the next question
I need to lower the polys of V6 characters with clothing applied.
Is decimator a valuable tool, or should I look for something different?
Thank you to everyone who has shared with me.
I am a bit peeved it does not have a DS3A version in my downloads, I bought it just as DS4 came out
some things I need to use DS3A esp FBX exports with parented props and some Poser content
I have solved it somewhat buying UltimateUnwrap3D and using its polyreducer but somethings too big to get into that
and Rampart UU3D may suit you too
If you are using it for DS and on DAZ content, I find it valuable, but if for use outside of DS, I find others to work better. try the one with Ultimate Unwrap 3d like Wendy suggested. Works great on my game content.
Submit a ticket asking for them to send you a link to the older version. I downloaded the older version for DS3A around the first of the year.
Decimator and Animate2 are part of the DS4.x Pro install. However, they require you to buy a license aka a serial to unlock them once the 30 day trial is over. If you purchased a plugin that has been around since DS2 or DS3, check your serial pages. A couple have different serials for different versions.
Since Decimator is part of DS4.x Pro, do not install the plugin again. Simply go to the about plugins page and input the serial nimber. You may even have to go in the prefs and restore to factory defaults. Before you do that, make sure DS is closed. Uninstall the current install of Decimator. Reboot your system. Launch DAZ and go to the about plugins. Make sure Decimator is not showing above the DS Pro Plugin Bundle listing. I'm not at home so I can't pull up DS to look but I know you can input serials for expired plugins because I did it not that long ago for Animate 2.
Great feedback!
I bought Decimator yesterday at sale pricee. Gotta move on, can't spend days trying to fix something I don't know how to fix.
Thanks to everyone for your very helpful information, especially on a Holiday.
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There is a subforums on Iclone, which may be very helpful for many Daz application users that are going back and forth between other applications.
http://forum.reallusion.com/Forum85-1.aspx
This forums deals with import/export considerations for iclone, Daz, and many other applications. Frequently, softwares are also reviewed and discussed.
I have looked at several poly decimation tools, and after reading some of the postings in this forums I realized the Decimator was the best go from Daz3d applications.
If you are using it for DS and on DAZ content, I find it valuable, but if for use outside of DS, I find others to work better. try the one with Ultimate Unwrap 3d like Wendy suggested. Works great on my game content.
I understand the Ultimate Unwrap 3d has a large number of import/export options (file types) that are very valuable and not often discussed. Yes, I am sure I will buy the application soon enough. I have to recover from the March Madness...LOL
Lol! yes I read on the actual Skyrim forum on steam how to extract the rigged meshes save as FBX from UU3D and in carrara I could rearrange the bone heirarchy rigged to a form retargateble in iclone 3dx of course it was for personal use on my own PC so OK.
I only did it for fun to make them dance gangnum style!
Direct X assets I have bought for game creation convert nicely too since only a render that should be ok since I could actually distribute them in a game anyway!
I mostly do use it though on DAZ and iClone mesh to poly reduce dramatically for crowds.
It goes much further than Decimator can my iclone videos with crowds all use it.
Actually what I use it the most for is re-UV mapping stuff!
Does the Ultimate Unwrap3d ever run a sale?
IIRC Decimator WAS free when I started this hobby (as was hexagon), but I never took the time to download it. I remember playing with hexagon and then uninstalling it because I wasn't interested at the time. Kicking myself for that.
No decimator was never free. It came with the paid for version of DS pro. However once DS became free, then it was neccesary to pay for Decimator.
Hexagon was offered at 100% discount for some time. If you "bought" it through the DAZ 3D store then it should be in your product library. However if you had the direct 3rd party site download then it won't be there.
Decimator and Texture Atlas were sold separately and in a bundle. When DS4.x Pro was made free, texture atlas and a number of other add ons like auto fit were offered as free individual downloads for those who already had DS4.x Standard or Advanced installed. I think you are confusing the free separate download of texture atlas that was offered during the DS/Hex/Bryce giveaway.
I bought the decimator, while it was still on sale--- yesterday.
Thanks to everyone for your input
Oops, I believe I'm thinking of Carrara not Decimator. Dunno how I confused that.
Carrara has also never been free.
What is my life, what am I thinking of then? I tried to make more than just a mountain for like an hour, couldn't figure it out and uninstalled it. I remember this quite clearly!
Possibly Bryce?
"Bryce is an award winning, fun, feature-packed 3D modeling and animation package designed to allow new users to quickly create and render stunning 3D environments."
Yes, quite possibly bryce.
Well all new (to you) programs do have a learning curve, but I picked Bryce up with the help of a 2 or 3 page article in a magazine, as I started using it before there was regular internet for most people.
I admit my images improved in leaps and bounds once I got internet at home and joined a forum, but I found Bryce fun right from the word go.