DAZStudio
by Mark Webster · in Artist Corner · 04/30/2009 (11:29 pm) · 4 replies
Has anyone used DAZ studio? It's free, new, and I'm wondering if it works with torque. Is there a DTS exporter, and will it correctly animate characters?
#2
Beyond that Daz isn't really worth much.
Over the past 12 years I've used Alias|Wavefront, 3ds Max, Maya, Carrara, Hexagon, Milkshape, and Blender for a variety of tasks.
Among those, 3ds Max was my favorite for quite a number of years, but I was mostly doing computer animations... for games, Blender is quickly becoming my favorite. It's more like 3ds Max + ZBrush combined into a single product.... plus there's the added benefit of getting the source code on top of the Python scripting.
If your budget is under $500, download Blender and do all of the online tutorials. Export a few models to Torque and get used to the way the exporter works. Within a couple of weeks you'll be creating animations and exporting them to Torque. Don't get frustrated if your animations look like crap... it's not the tool, it's just your inexperience... the only way to fix that is to practice.
If you like Blender at that point, buy all of the DVD's and books and read / watch / practice / play.
If you don't like it, ask yourself why. If it's too complicated or there's too much for you to learn, switch to a tool with fewer features. I'd recommend Milkshape.
If you don't like it because you just don't love creating 3d models then possibly you aren't cut out for it.
But don't let other people fool you. Blender is no more difficult to learn how to use than the other tools.
It will take a couple of years to get pretty good at 3d modeling, no matter the tool you choose. It will take ten or so years to become great at it.
There are no shortcuts to great art.
Good luck!
05/01/2009 (8:20 am)
The only purpose I've tasked Daz3d in my content pipeline is in helping with concept art. Sometimes I render some posed characters from different viewpoints and use the renders as references while sketching.Beyond that Daz isn't really worth much.
Over the past 12 years I've used Alias|Wavefront, 3ds Max, Maya, Carrara, Hexagon, Milkshape, and Blender for a variety of tasks.
Among those, 3ds Max was my favorite for quite a number of years, but I was mostly doing computer animations... for games, Blender is quickly becoming my favorite. It's more like 3ds Max + ZBrush combined into a single product.... plus there's the added benefit of getting the source code on top of the Python scripting.
If your budget is under $500, download Blender and do all of the online tutorials. Export a few models to Torque and get used to the way the exporter works. Within a couple of weeks you'll be creating animations and exporting them to Torque. Don't get frustrated if your animations look like crap... it's not the tool, it's just your inexperience... the only way to fix that is to practice.
If you like Blender at that point, buy all of the DVD's and books and read / watch / practice / play.
If you don't like it, ask yourself why. If it's too complicated or there's too much for you to learn, switch to a tool with fewer features. I'd recommend Milkshape.
If you don't like it because you just don't love creating 3d models then possibly you aren't cut out for it.
But don't let other people fool you. Blender is no more difficult to learn how to use than the other tools.
It will take a couple of years to get pretty good at 3d modeling, no matter the tool you choose. It will take ten or so years to become great at it.
There are no shortcuts to great art.
Good luck!
#3
05/14/2009 (9:47 am)
Do be aware of using Daz Models for DTS art, Their EULA strictly states that youcant use their 3d Models for direct 3d modeling and such. You can render out from it. But using the 3d models themselves to render out concept art or simliar 2d items shouldnt be a problem. Same with poser, good for practice maybe, but the animations cant be resold commercially at least as i understand it.
#4
Rex, your comment is indeed harsh. I'm surprized your request for a flame war went unheeded :) I've heard blender is "gross" to use and create models with, so perhaps I should indeed steer clear of it. Perhaps harsh is needed.
Thanks to Tony for his statement that there are no shortcuts to great art. Practice practice practice, and so forth. I've looked at milkshape and it just seemed so preschool compared to everything else I've tried.
I'd love some opinions on Cinema4D and others. Perhaps I'll find another thread for that discussion.
05/14/2009 (11:43 am)
Edward your comment was indeed useful. It just wouldn't do to release a game for pay and mention that I made the models with a 3D program which strictly prohibits that type of use.Rex, your comment is indeed harsh. I'm surprized your request for a flame war went unheeded :) I've heard blender is "gross" to use and create models with, so perhaps I should indeed steer clear of it. Perhaps harsh is needed.
Thanks to Tony for his statement that there are no shortcuts to great art. Practice practice practice, and so forth. I've looked at milkshape and it just seemed so preschool compared to everything else I've tried.
I'd love some opinions on Cinema4D and others. Perhaps I'll find another thread for that discussion.
Torque Owner Rex
BrokeAss Games
You can use POSERx to generate 'correct' animation and character/vehicle avatars...which, I hear, is 'similar' to POSER?? So, it 'might' work as a starting point for TGE content.
It's harsh to say, "forget about freeware" for 'easy' TGE content....but, it does have some truth to it. Blender users, chime in here, NOW....aaaaaaannnnndd, GO.
Cheers!