[X] My Assistant

[Kyoto Kid]

...well they do to an extent. Especially if they are dedicated and not integrated like mine is. With integrated graphics the render process must share the accelerator's memory with other operations like the OS, Screen Savers, etc. With a memory hog like Windows, that can have a significant impact as I have been experiencing. I have seen pieces done on duo core machines similar in specs to mine, but with a dedicated VC, that I could never dream of rendering on my system (like large percentages of reflectivity, translucency, ambient occlusion, and raytracing).

Also any additional memory (particularly dedicated video memory) will improve performance.

True, for the type of applications we are using, you don't need anything like an nVida Quadro (unless you are heavy into animation or gaming), A 512Mb GeForce 8800 will work just fine.

[Fuchs]

Well, I considered a dedicated VC kind of a given since I play computer games too. When I render I tend to shut down all other programs though, to save on memory.

[Kyoto Kid]

...yeah I'm not much of a PC gamer save for stuff like Madden NFL and Flight Simulator. Man I love flying the Tyполев Тy-114 PoccиÑ? ...err Tupolev TU-114 (until the 747 was rolled out it, was the biggest airliner in the world, and it was a turboprop with a cruise speed on par with most jetliners of the day).

When I'm in D|S or Carrara, I close as many processes as I can like Screen Savers, Wireless (since I have no connectivity from home), and other media stuff that runs in background that I know my name. However I'm not totally sure what else can be closed that won't shut donw a critical operation I need. Not all that up on some of those alphanumeric the names as presented in the Task Manager processes window.

...oh, almost forgot. Found a need set of rigger wheels from Sparkyworld through the DAZ forum:

Deathrace Car

[Gray]

...oh, almost forgot. Found a need set of rigger wheels from Sparkyworld through the DAZ forum:

Deathrace Car

Cool... I've used Sparkyworld's Alpha 1 Reactor, and Mega City Block One.

[Fuchs]

A scene from the "Divine Comedy" campaign on DS: Hacking an old Deck

[Fuchs]

And the cover pic of "A new Start in Seattle".

[Fuchs]

And a picture from an upcoming campaign.

[ravensoracle]

I just found Poser 6 on sale at contentparadise.com for $30 do you think it would be beter than DAZ studio pricewise since it already comes with content?

[Gray]

Not Shadowrun, but here's my latest: Graveyard Shift

[Gray]

I just found Poser 6 on sale at contentparadise.com for $30 do you think it would be beter than DAZ studio pricewise since it already comes with content?

DAZ Studo is free, and you can download some free content as well. $30 is a good price for Poser 6 though.

[Redjack]

HERE are Book & Tank, my characters in the Atlanta 2070 campaign. That render took hours and I rendered it nearly a dozen times playing with the lighting. I'm still not happy with the skin and lighting on the girl in the purple, but I grow weary of it. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

THIS is Nix; Formerly of the Blood of the People campaign, now in the Legacy Campaign.

[Fuchs]

Nice pictures! if the skin is too glossy, I usually check the skin tab in DAZ,and fiddle with the settings.

[Caine Hazen]

Yeah, I've had time to get back to playing and that reflection setting helps a hell of a lot. Used to ahve the skin issues, and sometimes shiney clothing issues.

[Kyoto Kid]

I just found Poser 6 on sale at contentparadise.com for $30 do you think it would be beter than DAZ studio pricewise since it already comes with content?

...yes there is included content, though Poser's UI is slightly more tricky to master compared to DazStudio. However, if you are eventually thinking of designing your own clothing and props, Poser is a necessity. True, Daz has their own rigging tools for Studio out but to get the same level of performance, you need the entire bundle which is about 180$ (125$ if you are a PC member)

There are also a number of sites with freebie content: Three of the best are:

Renderosity (you will need to set up an account but it is free)
VanishingPoint
ShareCG

Also as of the new year, Content Paradise freebies should now be open to everyone as they closed their Passport club.

All three have both Poser and Daz content. The only thing is you have to manually unzip and load the various components into the right folders as Freebies do not come with an installer.

If you go the Daz Studio route, Daz also has a Freebie Vault a their website (registration again required but it is free). Items from the Vault do have their own installers. Also Daz offers weekly freebies.

For modelling you will also need both a modelling and UV mapping application there are a couple good free ones:

Wings3D - this is a fairly good modelling programme
Blender - this is a kick butt modelling app that is on par wit professional grade software that costs 1000s of $ however it has a steep learning cvurve
UVMapper is a UV mapping programme.

[Kyoto Kid]

...OK been getting a pretty good handle in Studio to the point of being able to whip out 3D sketches almost a quickly as I could in the old days with pencil & paper. Here's one inspired by a humourous side discussion after Violet asked if she could get a Flame Thrower or Missile Launcher after an FBI agent asked if the team was interested in helping out on a "cleaning mission" (the mission involved Bugs).

Violet the Destroyer??

[Fuchs]

Hehe, cute.

[Kyoto Kid]

...OK time for a bump.

Here's a couple more pics I've done recently

First the latest of my Namesake:

Evnin' Pilgrim

A couple of Urban Fey from my campaign.

Lock and Load...

Need a Light...

A pic from my Rhapsody In Shadow storyline done for a Holiday themed contest.

The Greatest Gift

[Fuchs]

Nice stuff, KK!

[Kyoto Kid]

...thanks. Been learning a lot over the last year. Also have branched out into Bryce, a wonderful application, mainly used for creating terrains and landscapes, but has as brisket to Studio for importing posed figures. In my opinion a much better render engine than Studio, a bit slow yeah, but no where near as crash prone and runs a lot cooler on my system.

Here's my latest, albeit a non Shadowrun piece, that I did for a themed render thread on the Daz Forums.

New for 2253

Currently working on another scene from Leela's background in Bryce as well. Also playing with the new version Carrara and while a bit more robust than the previous version for my machine, still an incredible application.

[Kyoto Kid]

..OK, time to slap a Stimpatch on a sleeping thread.

Been very busy as of late with my 3D stuff. This month DAZ has a Cyber themed challenge on their website. Here is my first submission.

The Shopping Cart Lady

Click for full size.

[10gauge]

Not Shadowrun, but here's my latest: Graveyard Shift

Wow, she's sexy! I really like chicks with glasses! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/love.gif)

[Fuchs]

Here's a quick one from "Down in the Puyallups with Team #2":

Lynx checking her form-fitting body armor

[Redjack]

Here's one from Down in the Barrens II
Athena, goddess of Wisdom & Battle. She is the team's hacker and she's packing pretty powerful virtual reality filters and AR sculpting programs.

[Fuchs]

Looking good.

[Bob Lord of Evil]

I just found Poser 6 on sale at contentparadise.com for $30 do you think it would be beter than DAZ studio pricewise since it already comes with content?

As mentioned Daz Studio is free, but you will find yourself buying models.

For everyone that is having render time issues...

How many lights are you rendering with?

Have you thought about composting in Photoshop (Gimp, Paintsho Pro, etc.)?
Compositing has reduced my render times SO much and gives me a lot more control over the final output.