In this episode I’ll show you how to install 3D Content with Install Manager into another directory of your choice. By default, Install Manager will use a folder called “My DAZ 3D Library”, but sometimes you may need a second directory to install content in. For example, to keep pre-release files separate from “release versions”, …
In this episode I’ll show you how parent objects to one another, and how to create groups, and the implications either of these actions has on your scene. I’ll also explain the Null object and when/how to use it. Understanding these concepts means you’ll be able to build scenes more efficiently: hierarchies let you move …
In this episode I’ll show you how to change the location of the Pivot Point in DAZ Studio. It’s the point at which the 3D manipulator gizmo shows up and from where objects are translated and rotated. Blender calls this the “origin point”. DAZ Studio uses the Joint Editor to manipulate this point. While I’m …
In this episode I’ll show you how to manipulate objects in the viewport using numeric values and the Parameters Tab. This can be useful to make precise adjustments to the alignment and placement of your objects.
In this episode I’ll show you how to manipulate objects in the viewport using four tools: the translate, scale, rotate and universal manipulator tools. I’ll also explain the concept of world vs local/object coordinates and touch on screen coordinates. These are tough concepts to grasp, but with a bit of practice, you’ll be flying around …
In this episode I’ll talk you through the various Viewport Drawing Styles. The default we usually see is “texture shaded”, which is a nice compromise between displaying a good looking “live” picture, while keeping your computer responsive for navigating and posing. However, with larger scenes your system may become slower and less responsive. We can …
In this episode I’ll show you how to navigate your 3D world within the viewport. I’ll explain several ways to do this, and I’ll also show you how to customise the modifier keys for faster navigation using your mouse and keyboard. In addition, there’s also a fully immersive way to “walk” through your scene using …
In this episode I’l explain how we can utilise Install Manager to update both DAZ Studio as well as content if and when updates are available. I will also show you how to update Install Manager itself. This happened to me today and was not a planned part of the series, but I found it …
In this episode I’ll show you how you can customise the interface in DAZ Studio. I have previously shown you how to select Workspaces and Styles, and now we’ll see how to make the interface your own by changing the colours of the interface. In addition, I’ll elaborate more on the macOS intricacies on moving …
In this episode we’re launching DAZ Studio for the first time after a fresh installation, we’ll fix the database manager, and we’ll learn how to customise the interface. I will also show you where those important context sensitive menus are hiding. https://www.versluis.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/102-Interface.mp3Podcast: Download (Duration: 19:28 — 17.8MB)
In this episode I’ll show you how to get started with DAZ Studio, namely by installing it. To be able to install both DAZ Studio as well as content, and update both those things going forward, the easiest thing to do is use a helper application called Install Manager. I’ll show you how to get …
In this course I’ll explain how to use DAZ Studio, a free 3D content manipulation and rendering app. It’s aimed at beginners and medium casuals alike, it explains the foundations of how the software works, and also illustrates how 3D software works in general (sort of a “3D for Humans” approach). This episode is a …
In this episode I’ll show you how to replace the skin textures on a character in DAZ Studio with a default grey. This can be useful if you want an untextured view of either a character or any other object, or if you’d like to emphasise what a character is wearing without being distracted by …
In this video I’m demonstrating how to export a character from DAZ Studio, apply a geometrical change in Blender, and import that change back into DAZ Studio as a Morph Target.
First we’ll prepare and export a Genesis 3 character (Eva 7) as OBJ. Here are the steps I’m using in the video:
Podcast: Download (Duration: 23:06 — 21.2MB)
In this episode I’ll show you how to use existing items of clothing and re-fit them to a other characters in DAZ Studio, using Marvelous Designer. Although auto-fit does work in many cases, it can also give extremely ugly results, and by having Marvelous Designer re-fit clothing, this can be greatly improved. https://www.versluis.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/How-to-fit-DAZ-Clothing-using-Marvelous-Designer.mp3Podcast: Download (Duration: …
Turntable animations show an object or a collection of objects from all sides. They’re usually rendered as a loopable image sequence. The above is such an example of Michael 7, assembled as a GIF image. He’ll keep spinning forever!
Let’s see how we can create something like this in DAZ Studio.
In this video I’ll show you how to fix the partially obstructed or occluded Viewport Controls bug in DAZ Studio. I’ve experienced this problem when I have the Shader Mixer tab docked somewhere, but it stands to reason that other docked panes also have the potential of causing this bug. https://www.versluis.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Obstructed-Viewport-DAZ.mp3Podcast: Download (Duration: 4:29 — …
In this episode I’ll show you how to export assets from DAZ Studio to Blender and back, at a consistent scale and orientation. The default Blender export preset in DAZ Studio is broken, hence the workflow requires a bit of tweaking and knowledge on how Blender thinks about units and scale (which I’ll also show …
In this episode I’ll show you how to create a string side light in DAZ Studio 4.9. The default light looks very soft and does not create a dramatic effect, so we’ll see how to remove those first, and then apply our own parametric spotlight. In addition, we’ll add and tweak the default IBL to …
In this episode I’ll show you what a Shader Browser is in Carrara and DAZ Studio. I wish Blender had one – perhaps there’s one in the works? We’ll talk about how it could be integrated as part of the Blender Cloud Add-On too. This video was inspired by a discussion we had over on …
Sometimes you experiment with keyframe animations, but frequently things can go wrong and you want to start afresh. Like clearing the sheet of paper you were sketching on. How do we do that to a timeline? Easy: even though there’s no magic button for it, it can be done using the same technique in both …
In this episode I’ll show you how to install content you’ve bought for use in DAZ Studio. I’ll go through using Install Manager, DAZ Connect, and I’ll explain how to install content from ZIP archives (bought from marketplaces such as Renderosity or Hivewire). For Dwayne. https://www.versluis.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Install-DAZ-Content.mp3Podcast: Download (Duration: 18:37 — 17.1MB)
In this episode I’ll show you how to use aniBlocks to animate a character, how to animate a camera around it like a dolly, and how to merge one scene with another. This is a kind of a “behind the scenes” walkthrough of the following walk animation I’ve rendered recently. I’ve received several comments on …
I’ve been playing with Windows Azure the other day, specifically to hire rendering machines. My idea was very simple: if I have a long animation to render, why not pay a nominal amount of cash, but have the result back within hours rather than days?
So I created a Windows VM, logged in from my Mac via RDP (Remote Desktop Connection), installed DAZ Studio and some content… but sadly I couldn’t start DAZ Studio. I remember having had this problem before on my home network, where I have a similar setup.
This happens because DAZ Studio needs OpenGL 1.3 or higher, and with an RDP connection, only OpenGL 1.1 is supported. Quite rightly so, DAZ Studio throws an error message and quits. However, the app works just fine via RDP, so how can we circumvent it closing prematurely?
I was setting up an animation on one system, then transferred the scene over to a more powerful rendering machine. Usually DAZ Studio 4.9 does a good job at installing required content automatically (thanks to DAZ Connect), but this time my scene showed up with several scary grey blocks instead of content. In addition, I …
In this episode I’ll talk you through many of the render settings in DAZ Studio and how to get the best out of the Iray engine. https://www.versluis.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Iray-105_-Render-Settings-in-DAZ-Studio.mp3Podcast: Download (Duration: 11:27 — 10.5MB)
In this episode I’ll show you some tips on how to make working with DAZ Studio and Iray a bit smoother and faster. https://www.versluis.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Iray-104_-Performance-Settings-in-DAZ-Studio.mp3Podcast: Download (Duration: 13:20 — 12.2MB)
In this episode I’ll show you how to use realistic sun and sky effects in DAZ Studio 4.9. You’ll find this option under Render Settings – Environment. https://www.versluis.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Iray-103_-Setting-the-Sun-and-Sky-in-DAZ-Studio.mp3Podcast: Download (Duration: 12:53 — 11.8MB)
In this episode I’ll show you how to use Image Based Lighting with HDR Images in DAZ Studio, using the Iray render engine. https://www.versluis.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Iray-102_-IBL-and-HDRI-in-DAZ-Studio.mp3Podcast: Download (Duration: 13:29 — 12.4MB)
In this episode I’ll show you how to use parametric spotlights to light your scene in Iray. For Scott. https://www.versluis.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Iray-101_-Parametric-Lights-in-DAZ-Studio.mp3Podcast: Download (Duration: 18:34 — 17.0MB)