From Blender to DAZ Studio: How do I prepare a model with moving parts?

Subtropic Pixel

Hello!

I am making a model in Blender.  The mesh is probably only 10% done at this point.  Eventually, I will want to use this model in DS 4.8.  This model will have about a half-dozen moving parts and 3 or 4 actions that can be performed on it to make those parts move either in an animation or for positioning in a pose.  Some parts will move by themselves, while others will cause a hierarchical movement of connected parts.

But nevermind the complexity for now; my question right now is only to locate information that will help me model the object better in Blender so that it will transfer better to DAZ Studio.  My objective is to model the object as well as possible in Blender so that there will be less (or no) mesh or armature rework needed in DAZ Studio.

My project as described above is probably too complex for a first-try, so I'm planning to create a new, simpler object for practice.  Something with only one or two movement actions and only one hierarchical relationship (like a piston turning a wheel or gear on an axis).

Question:

Where can I study moving parts for models made in Blender, and how to transfer that information so that it will be understood by DAZ Studio?

At this time, texturing is not among my concerns.  I want to first build the modelling skills needed for this task.

billh4321

I would say use bones for the moving parts and export FBX or Collada. Then import in Daz

StratDragon

I'm making a simple Halloween prop in blender at the moment.

I export the prop in sections as to what needs to move independently as an obj, I select the parts I want on the whole model then use the "Selection only" in the Blender export options. Repeat for the next set of independent parts until I'm finished. 

Once the parts are in DS I can parent as they logically attach with or without a null depending on what I need.

I tend to use OBJ over FXB or Collada but it's a matter of what I'm familiar with, not one being better or worse, however OBJ does what I need it to.

Halloween freebies y'all!

Subtropic Pixel

StratDragon said:

I export the prop in sections as to what needs to move independently as an obj, I select the parts I want on the whole model then use the "Selection only" in the Blender export options. Repeat for the next set of independent parts until I'm finished. 

Once the parts are in DS I can parent as they logically attach with or without a null depending on what I need.

You gave me the willies with that needle!

Okay, so you export the parts separately...how does that impact parts that go inside one another.  For example, the plunger on your syringe...do you assemble them in DS and then give them bones or morphs in DS?

I was hoping to do more in Blender and less in DS.  Could be I'm just ignorant of the basics here.

SickleYield

I don't think you can successfully export an armature from Blender to DS.  Yes, Collada and FBX export exist, but my experience with them has not been positive.  My workflow has always been to set up the objs in Blender, assign a vertex group to each area that's going to have a bone, do the materials and UV setup, export to obj, and then rig in Studio's Figure Setup tab and Weight Map editor.

Admittedly I haven't tried lately to export armatures to DS via Collada.  I'd do a simple two-bone item first and try that before you get into more complex armatures assuming they'll work on export.

Subtropic Pixel

SickleYield, thank you for that.  I get the gist of what you're saying, and I think it's enough for me to go off and teach myself.

But first a clarification:

So...if I wanted to make a functioning prop to work in BOTH Blender and DS, then I can model it in Blender but for the moving parts, I'll basically (probably) need to rig it in each one separately?

SickleYield

That's been my experience, yes, but you should experiment with a small thing to check first.

Subtropic Pixel

Okay, I just thought of a relatively easy model for this.

A flip-open pocket knife.  Simple.  A blade and a handle; all parts can be mirrored.  One hinge (pivot point) with limited range of movement.

If that works, I'll make a butterfly knife (2 hinges).  Then a full-on Swiss Army knife, which everybody knows isn't complete without sissors, a can opener, toothpick (yeah, "yuck" is what I think too), and the most important piece:  the corkscrew attachment!  (in my best Homer Simpson voice:  Mmmmm, Duffs; oh, I mean wine!)

I'll let you know how it works out...

SickleYield

I'll be interested to hear how it goes!

Subtropic Pixel

Thank you.  Yeah, I'm starting to really get into Blender.  It has some amazing tools, and I've only been able to wrap my head around the basics so far.

StratDragon

Subtropic Pixel said:

,,, I've only been able to wrap my head around the basics so far.

its a rabbit hole you wont want to back out of, so strap in and enjoy the ride.

Blender rigging is not transferable to Daz Studio but for basic props like the needle which I'm about to post on the freebies (along with the blender file) has four moving parts and I'd add to Daz Studio in this order with this method of parenting:
_Tube (parent)
___Needle (child to tube) I want to be able to move for anyone who thinks it's too long or short but nothing stopping me from making it static to the tube.
___Plunger (child to tube)
 _____Serum (child to plunger)

If I move the tube everything moves with it, I can parent to a figures hand and all the parts will come along the for ride.

if the needle moves the tube and plunger does not, either will the serum, it's parent is the plunger.

if the plunger moves the serum moves with it and the volume of the serum can be adjusted with the y-scale or I could have used a morph (which is a simple procedure but it's not necessary for this.) but the tube and the needle do not

http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/63414/dr-horror-wits-b-style-movie-syringe#latest