Look At My Hair: Sasquatch An Evolution In DAZ Studio Characters

Posted on by
Reply
Sasquatch by RawArt with Look At My Hair (LAMH) for DAZ 3D

Plugins like Look At My Hair are taking DAZ Studio 4 to new levels.

Look AT My Hair for DAZ Studio is changing Hair for good

Look At My Hair for DAZ 3D promo imageHere comes RawArt’s Sasquatch for Freak 5 (current introductory price $9.07). This furred humanoid, a possible missing link to humanities evolutionary past, is a fantastic example of just what is possible with the recently released Look At My Hair for DAZ Studio 4.5 (also on special at thirty percent off), and the first comercial use available on the DAZ 3D store.

Plugins of LAMH’s calibre are bringing new possibilities and functionality to DAZ Studio that, for the most part, are only available with much more expensive programs. For those interested in seeing some of the plugin’s content in action a free LAMH viewer is now available at the DAZ 3D store. “The Look at my Hair Player allows you to load most pre-made Look at my Hair presets or .duf scenes, modify color and shader properties, hair count, thickness and render!”

Check out this Tube clip of LAMH designer, Alessandro Mastronardi, using the plugin to turn and elephant into a mammoth.

Garibaldi Express Hair System For DAZ Studio plugin promo image Garibaldi Express Hair System: a new challenger

LAMH is not the only recent hair tool for DS. Garibaldi Express Hair System For DAZ Studio came out not long after LAMH. Gabibaldi isn’t among my tools but taking one look at the promo images I wish it was. While both programs have good external interfaces for creating hair on any mesh surface (just about anything you could import into DAZ Studio – furry car!), watching the beta video (which might be a little outdated considering the product is now at full version) I can’t help but be struck with a grass is greener effect.

The only real downside to these products for most of us is that they will take some time and perserverance to get the results we want, but for those who do hang in there, wave good-bye to traditional hair props with their transmaps and geometry that often looks funny when viewed from certain angles. Now if only these were dynamic models. That would truly be a revolution for DAZ Studio users. But then again the persistent user will find that the system allowes for a level of on-the-fly customisation that just isn’t possible with traditional hair props. With the included tools it is possible to create hair poses to meet any conditions imaginable. It is fantastic to see so many high quality plugins for DAZ Studio. It is undoubtedly a sign of even better to come.

INFINITO: Terrain editor and creator for DAZ Studio

Another great DS plugin by Alessandro is INFINITO, which brings terrain generation and customisation to the game. Typically this meant exporting DS scenes to other programs like Bryce, Vue, Carrara, or any other program that has detailed terrain generation features.

Infinito terrain generator plugin for DAZ Studio promo image

Free Dreamlight Content: CS City for DAZ Studio and Poser

Posted on by
Reply

For the next 72 hours (give or take) Dreamlight is giving away one his impressive scene prop, CS City..

CS City scene prop for DAZ Studio and Poser

This one has been on my “wish list” since it came out. This isn’t my first free Dreamlight content pickup, but it is the most significant. Happy camper here. The only catch is that you sign up to the DL mailing list, which has had something of a checkered history in recent times. Some have labelled it spam, but as there is a functioning unsubscribe link (that actually does what it says), it does not fit the bill. I think in recent times the quality of the subscription has somewhat improved, especially since he split his somewhat dubious sounding Empower Network marketing interests from his 3D (don’t know what he was thinking lumping both those in there together). Anyway, we aren’t here to talk about marketing or his email list – just the prop. Go grab it now or miss out and find yourself inexplicably visiting the DAZ 3D store to pick it up.

And then once you’re there be very careful you don’t end up accidentally picking up some of these other cool Dreamlight items.

Cloud City scene prop by Dreamlight for DAZ Studio and PoserAlienz scene prop for DAZ Studio and Poser by Dreamlight

Dream Lounge scene prop by Dreamlight for DAZ Studio and PoserQuantum Labs scene prop by Dreamlight for DAZ Studio and Poser

Back In LightWave And Modelling

Posted on by
2

So after a little break to get some other projects done/underway I’ve been back and modelling in LightWave. I have a few modelling projects to get started, but I thought I’d get back into the swing with something spontaneous. I’ve wanted to try making a fitted prop for a long time and decided to start with something relatively simple like a cyberpunkish VR headset. Somewhere at the start of the project I got distracted and ended up making a retro sci-fi helmet instead.

retro sci-fi helmet modelled with lightwave 11.5

Modelled and rendered in LightWave 11.5. spherical image from HDR Labs/Archive

The character figure is DAZ 3D’s Genesis with a dialled mix’n match morph – obviously the only texture used was for the bump. For a quick project I’m very happy with it. I’m now considering what to do with it next. Maybe I’ll model some additional props and see where that takes me. Or maybe I should get back to the “real work”. Decisions, decisions…

In any case I’m happy I took the gamble and forked out the money for LightWave. I know it isn’t the 3D package, but I’m sure as hell happy with it. The intuitive, no-nonsense interface is so easy to get around, which is a relief after some of the other programs I’ve worked with – certainly makes learning a lot easier. I think the program as a whole has boosted my productivity and creativity when it comes to modelling. Every time I boot it up I feel completely confident to start exploring and experimenting with features I have only the vaguest idea of. I also love the “Layout” component to the package. Well, to call it a component is a serious misattribution as it is an entirely separate and richly featured program – the other half of LW really. The procedural texture system, and node editor is just fantastic. I’m not a texture guy, so it is nice to have something easy to use to get some reasonable textures done quickly. The VPR is also a huge time saver when it comes to setting materials and lighting. Being able to see a high quality image update in realtime is just awesome. Anyway that’s enough LW love.

retro sci-fi helmet model wire frame

Wire frames for anyone interested


Bryce Artist Feature 03: Michael Frank

Posted on by
Reply
To Earth Reclaimed Bryce render by Michael Frank

To Earth Reclaimed

One cannot fail to be struck with some measure of awe by Michael Frank’s impeccably arranged and ambitious organic wonders. Surreal and other worldly landscapes and creatures loom out of his dreams to tantalise us with their digitised tendrils, enticing us to pause a moment or a minute or longer… maybe much longer, and ponder. Michael’s images speak of futures and realities and overlapping spaces where anachronisms meet with the timeless to exchange notes. His work is undoubtedly one of the most vivid examples that Bryce can be a tool for the creation of beautiful fine arts of the highest quality. It was an honour and a privilege to correspond with and bug Michael Frank for his thoughts on Bryce and how he uses it.

JW: How long have you been a Bryce user and what is it about Bryce that drew you in the first place? Continue reading →