Daz Studio 4 blue ...

Installed both Daz Studio 4 on Windows and Mac, and found that following stuffs that I really do not like:

• Once again the Daz Studio 4 files that I created on the Mac FAILED to open on the PC side.  Really really lame.
• The current Windows version is 4.0 32 bit.  The 64 bit version is not available yet.
• Daz Studio 3 cannot open Daz Studio 4 files (actually this is kind of expected)

Nevertheless there seems to be a new way to organize files, so let me spend some days to learn it.

DAZ Studio: how I resolved some stupid database related problem

I spent most of my time yesterday to make Daz Studio 3.1.2.24 working on my Windows 7 (running MacMini), and finally everything is working as I expected.  Before I move on, I better write down what I learned so that I won't repeat the same mistake again and again.

The problem started when I switched to my Windows 7 on My MacMini, and found that I couldn't search any content in the database, and then when I tried to refresh the database by scanning the content, the scanning process always died prematurely, either just finished without anything done, or brought down the whole application all together.

So here's the tricks I learned:

• The best way to rebuild the database is actually DELETING the database and start from scratch.  All the attempt to rebuild a messed up database is waste of time at the time.  To delete the database, simple go to C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Roaming\DAZ 3D\Studio3 and delete the file "Content".  There's also another "Content-journal".  I removed that away too, and did seemed to harm anything.  The next time you start searching new content, a new database will be built.
• If, after create the database, and the scanning process still die prematurely, try MOVE everything else out of the content directory (in C:\Users\{user name}\Documents\DAZ 3D\Studio3\content) and left "Runtime" folder there.  Try scan content again.  In my case it always work out.  And then you put bacl the rest of the other content and scan again.  That resolved my problem.
• If you want all the machine running DazStudio to be able to open any of the files you created on any of the machine, then make sure that the content directory structure used by Daz Studio on all machines are the same.  I struggled about why one machine failed to open the file created by another machine, and eventually found out (by reading the log file) that the daz file expecting some materials that were in different folders.  So I realign all the content structures on all machines, and files were then opened properly.
• Log file is important when there's something wrong.  You can find the log file at "C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Roaming\DAZ 3D\Studio3", and the file is log.txt.

So this is how to get the same Daz Studio file show up properly on both Mac and Windows

I was using the network "Ultimate Poser Vault" resource approach for a while, and didn't realize the major pitfall of using such a scheme, and that is, the file you create on the Windows CANNOT BE read properly on the Mac, and vice verse.  That is because of the way how Mac and Windows store the network path on the daz file.

So starting from now I am using a different approach.  I copy the whole "Ultimate Poser Vault" content to the "content" folder of the corresponding Daz installation folder on both Mac and PC.  The result is that the file I created on my Windows Daz Studio shows up properly on my Mac Daz Studio.  Yeah!

32 failing, so stay with 24 for a while

I was trying to install the DAZStudio 3.1.2.32 for Mac, and kept getting stupid (application) "Abort Unexpectedly error".  So I will stay with 3.1.2.24 for a while, and the Windows version (on the M6500 machine) will also stay at 3.1.2.24  so that there's no compatibility problem.

Once again, fustrated by DazStudio

I was trying to spend this weekend to learn about how to use lighting effectively on Daz Studio, but at the end I found out other headache that I wasn't expected to deal with.

It started when I found out that, on my Mac, not all old files could be opened.  I have to set the [Preference][Directories] setting so that all 3 types (DAz Studio Formats native, Poser Formats (import), Other Supported Format (import)) point to the same "Volumes/Ultimate Poser Vault" folder, and even that, there still some files couldn't be open.  That's the moment when I realized that the daz files has some directory dependent information in it, much is bad.

I also found out that Daz files that create on my Mac doesn't open properly on my M6400 PC, and so is the vice verse case.  I think the network reference are not the same.  That's why the problem.

Interestingly, older files are working ok on both the Mac and the PC.  I think they were created in the era where those resource are still natively installed on the Application local folder, instead of the network drive.

it's not totally hopeless, though, because by seraching the name in the Scene, I can find the "missing" item, and then I can drag and drop them back to the scene.  So the materials are indeed still available.  Just the reference got messed up.

So what should I do.  Well, I think from now on I should:

• Use the Dell M6400 to create scenes, since the performance seemed way better than on my Mac Mini.
• Do documentation to write down clearly:
• Which platform I create the scene with, Windows or Mac
• What is the path of the the 3 reference paths.
• set only the Poser content path to point to  "Ultimate Poser Vault".  I am worry that the more reference, the messier it gets.

Hopefully that will make reopening the file in the future less painful.

BTW, I did "serarch content" on the Windows DazStudio and the app crashed. so I have to reinstall ... but still crash.  So I am now downloading a newer version 3.1.2.32.  Sigh, this DazStudio continue to be the bitter sweet.

Daz studio problem and solution

Daz studio is always my bitter sweet.  On one hand, the application allows me to create 3d scene with characters in no time.  On the other hand, the application seems to always have problem remembering the preference and setting I entered .

For instance, I was trying to load a scene, and I kept getting file missing message, and even after I located the file path for the app, it still failed to load the scene properly.  After being frustrated for a while.

Later I found out that the "ultimate poser vault" (my repository of all the poser resource files) path was not in the preference page for poser file.  Once I set that path up, files start loading up properly.

The thing that ticked me was that I clearly remembered that I did that setup before.  Somehow that setting seems to be vanished.

Well, in the bright side, at least I got it working.

Setting up Poser repository for 64 bit Daz Studio

Found out that in order to get content scanning recognize my Daz Studio (Poser) Repository on remote Z drive, I have to MAP a the directory to a drive.  Otherwise even after I added it in preference, the content scanning still doesn't pick it up.  Strange, but at least I find a pattern.

Setting up Daz Studio 3.1.2.19 on Mac Mini

After my MacMini crashed months ago, I haven't got time to reinstall Daz Studio 3.x on my MacMini.  I decided that today is the time and so here I go.

The first thing I realized is that the free serial number that I used doesn't seem to work anymore.  No problem, as I got the new serial number after I logged into my Daz account.

Then I realized that the content important structure seemed to be a little bit different than what I used to.  Again, no huge problem.  I'll just adapt it anyway.  So here's the new rule of thumb: to map your whole previous Daz/Poser content tree (for me it's "/Volumes/Install/Ultimate Poser Vault"), you should ONLY map it to "Poser Formats (import)", and don't put them in "Daz Studio Format" or "Other supported format", otherwise you'll get duplicated entries on the Content tab.

Search content is something extremely important to me, and here's how to enable it:

• In Content tab, select "View Category - Quick Start" view, and it will prompt you to scan directory to add to the database.  Click "Yes" and it will start scanning.  This scanning will take for a while, and it's well worth the effort because this allows you to quickly access your content.

 Happy DazStudio fun!

Daz Studio 3 runs so fast and smooth on M6400 64 bit

I think I said this before but this Windows 7 64 bit running Daz Studio 3 64 bit on DELL Precision M6400 is pretty darn fast, especially since I have 8Gb of memory. It's so much better an experience then running on my Mac Mini with only 2Gb of memory.

Adding Content to DazStudio 3.0

On my DELL M6400 running Windows 7 64 bit edition, I found out that I need to first map a network directory to drive first, and then add the content entry in the preference of Daz Studio 3.0. Otherwise the serach content feature won't pick up the content in my repository.

ZBursh 3.5 R3 keeps crashing

I was always interesting in learning to use ZBrush. The problem is that I always have negative experience with ZBursh. Like recently I am trying to get back to learning ZBursh again, but ZBursh 3.5 R3 just keeps crashing on my Lenovo X60T laptop. Since I have tons of other stuff to learn, so screw you ZBursh, and I'll get back to you say ... errr ... 6 months later.

Manga Studio EX4 crashed when drawing on a document with 3D object, and then, the solution

I am learning to use SketchUp Pro to define a scene and then import into Manga Studio EX4, that way I can use a single scene in multiple drawing, saving me a lot of time. (Actually, the real reason is that I am suck at drawing perspective.) So when I found that Manga Studio EX4 kept crashing whenever I use my stylus to draw something on another layer with a 3D object in it, I was desperate.

After wasted half an hour keep trying and trying, I eventually rebooted the machine, and found that the problem went away. And then I looked back and remembered that I have Sketchup Pro 7 running WHILE using Manga Studio EX4. Maybe both programs fighter for OpenGL access. Anyway, at least the problem seemed to go away after the reboot.

I also found that after I render the 3D object as a raster (and exist as "3DLT Rendering Folder") I can manipulate indivdual layer. This is important because I want to touch up the rendered 3D object so that they don't look so stiff.

You know what, F you Sketchbook Pro

After try and try, installing the latest Sketchbook Pro, and I still get that mouse/tablet freezing problem, so screw you Sketchbook Pro. I am going to use Photoshop CS4 instead, which I tried, and works pretty well. In fact, let me try Painter 11 too since Painter support canvas rotation.

Errr maybe the problem is not Daz Studio after all ....

To my surprise, stopping the Daz Studio doesn't seem to resolve the SketchBook Pro 2010 hanging problem. In fact, I now start to suspect that it's the "Rotate Canvas" feature that caused the occasion hanging.

So I installed the lastest Release 1 SP2. The version of the original one is:
SketchBook Pro 4.0, 2009 02 23 17 34 (Build 297361)

The new one, on the other hand, is:
SketchBook Pro 4.1.2
2009 12 09 02 03(Build 321671)

Let's see if I still got the problem.

Daz Studio 3.0.1.144 makes my tablet chock

Daz Studio 3.0.1.144 continue having this problem: when running, it will cause my Wacom Tablet to momentarily stop function for a few seconds. This is very annoying when I try to use Daz Studio as the model while I do some sketching on SketchBook pro. Granted I can first render and then use the rendered image as reference, it sure would be nicer if Daz Studio doesn't have that problem.

So Painter 11 is still not Tablet PC friendly

So I installed Painter 11 (using the trial version, which worked for me), and found that running it on my Lenovo X60T doesn't give me any pressure sensitive support. So eventually I had to install the Tablet PC enable driver, which is PenTablet_505-7.exe. Now Painter 11 recognize the pressure sensitivity.

However, that does have some side effect. For instance, SketchBook Pro 2010 was affected as the pressure sensitive level changed. I would love to keep the original setting, but supporting pressure sensitivity on Photoshop CS4 and Painter 11 is also pretty important. I feel like I am simply picking the best of both evil.

So this is how you update Daz Studio 3 Advanced

I was frustrated by my Daz Studio 3 Advanced kept crashed after saving a scene, and then puzzled by how I can update Daz Studio 3 to the latest 3.0.1.144. It turns out that all I need is download the regular Daz Studio 3.0.1.144, run the installer (which during the process will uninstall the older version), and once it's done, run the application and enter the Advanced serial number. That's it. There's no separate update exe.

How to properly export page from Manga Studio EX4 to Photoshop

Each graphic tool has its own strength. So I use Manga Studio EX4 to do inking, and then I export the inking result to Photoshop CS4 and do the coloring there. To make sure that the inking layer has it's own layer when opening inPhotoshop, make sure that you export the file properly with these setting:

• In Manga Studio EX4, select [File][Export...][Image file...(In Pixels)]
• In "Export Image" dialog box, select "(x) Output as actual size" as Output Size. For File Setting, choose "Photoshop" type. Click [Settings...] to get to the "Photoshop settings" dialog. Choose "(x)Keep Layer structure for Output" option, check
  "[x] Ouput layer set (Photoshop 6.0 ot later)" and select "(x) Up to 5 Layers (Photoshp CS or Later)".

That's it. Happy Inking and coloring!

Done, resolved the tablet stylus delay problem!

After spending some time to investigate the issue of which I found my Wacom Graphite 4 tablet had pen stroke delay issue with using with Manga Studio EX4 and Photoshop CS4 (plus lossing the touch sensitive ability) under Windows 7, I found out a perfect solution to resolve the problem. Simple disable the "Flicks" feature will get rid of the delay problem.

To disable tablet stylus "flicks" do the following:

• Under Windows 7 Control Panel, select "Tablet PC Setting" and find "Pen and Touch". Or better yet, search "Pen and Touch" in Windows search box (just pressure the Windows key to bring up the search box).
• Under "Flicks" tab, unchecked the "Use flicks to perform common actions quickly and easily"
• In addition, you can also disable "Press and hold" and "Use Your finger as an input device" (particularly when I don't have a touch screen on my desktop) to make your stylus even more responsive when drawing.

Slightly tablet delay when using Manga Studio EX4 under Windows 7 final release

I just realized something kind of strange: I sensed and saw a few mini-second delay when using my Wacom Tablet Graphite 4 with Manga Studio Ex4 under the Windows 7 Final release. I didn't have the same problem when using the Windows 7 release candidate. Odd.

But then you could argue that when you ink your manga, you usually don't do quick sketch and ultra fast strokes. I tried carefully inking, and the delay doesn't seem to affect my inking process.

Maybe I just have to deal with it by inking properly.