So that's how you make Daz Studio 4.6 recognize your Smart Content compatible content

It's Christmas time and I finally have time to, once again, play with DazStudio.  Everytime I pick up Daz Studio again, there's something new I need to learn.  This time, it's the Smart Content.  Specifically, how to find content in it.

So I tried to use the QuickStart Guide with Bareboot Dancer video.  Problem comes: I could NOT find Barefoot Dancer.  I checked around for a while and still couldn't find it.  Eventually I stumbled upon this link, After reading it, I still couldn't find my solution.

Eventually, I found out that there's this "Content Database Maintenance..." menu item above the "Smart Content" tab.  I looked inside, and found the item "Reset Database".  I selected it and clicked "Accept", and found that ALL CONTENT were gone from the Smart Content window.  Shocked, I looked into the Content Database Maintenance" dialog again, and found "Re-Import Metatdata...".  I selected it and Accepted it.  A big list showed up, and I also accepted it.  After like 10 minutes, I got a lot of content in the Smart Content!

So this seems to be a way to make Smart Content to recognize those content that I installed in non-traditional way, like manually add them in the content folder.

I still have not find barefoot dancer, though.

Like Santa, Aiko 6 and Daz Studio 4.7 Pro exist!

I didn't have time to check with any development related to DazStudio for the last half year.  And then today when I was relaxing at home on Sunday after thanksgiving, I suddenly thought, "I wonder if there's anything new with Daz Studio.

That's when I surprisingly found out that not only there a newer version of Daz Studio (4.7 Pro) exist, but there's a new version of Aiko model called Aiko 6.

So did I update from my current DazStudio 4.6 Pro to 4.7?  Nope.  Partly because I was lazy, but also because I found out that I can use Aiko 6 in my current 4.6 Pro without any problem (as far as it seems).

It's always nice to find reason to come back to Daz Studio again.

No portable for Manga Studio 5 EX

Whenever I try a new piece of software, I always check and see if I can make it "portable", meaning, grab the application folder and put it on another machine, and see if it works work out a full installation.  As I constantly moving from one machine to another machine, this practice helps me to being productive since I don't have to spend time re-installing all the applications I need.  Sure, not all applications are portable friendly.  But so far, majority of application I care are portable friendly.  So far so good.

Recently I tried to pick up manga drawing, and Manga Studio 5.0EX is the best on the market.  So the question is: can Manga Studio 5 EX run as a portable app?

Answer: errr sort of .. if you don't mind missing EX features.

Here's the features I lost if I run the app in Portable mode:

• Multiple page support is NOT available.
• Material library is NOT supported.
• The software identify itself as Manga Studio 5 instead of 5 EX.

Still at least all the basic features are there in portable mode.  So I am not complaining.

Another interesting Painter X3 brush

I found another Sumi-e brush called Thick Blossom Sumi-e interesting to play with.  Again, not the Chinese calligraphy brush I am looking for, but interesting enough for me to take notes.  Maybe I just need to practice more with it?

Looking brush that simulates Chinese calligraphy

Among all the painting tools, Painter has a special spot in my heart, since this is the first application that allows me to draw something on my tablet while still maintain certain natural look.  Recently I have a need to do a design that involves Chinese calligraphy.  I was hoping that Corel Painter X3 can give me what I need, but so far I haven't found a brush that works for me.  I did, however, found a brush that gives me effect that I can use in the future.  That is the Sumi-e Opaque Bristle Sumi-e.

It's unique look, but still a bit mechanical.