CARRARA CHALLENGE #64: Old egypt..... WIP

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  • Bunyip02Bunyip02 Posts: 8,613

    WendyLuvsCatz said:

    video 

    not an entry kiss

    Very nice Wendy !!!

  • DiomedeDiomede Posts: 15,169

    Yes, very nice Wendy!

    UB - I don't get the amazing results you get with V3 no mater which figure I use.  blush

    I have been transferring my prop grass, etc from my laptop to my newly restored desktop.  Have discovered some file reference errors.  Let me know if anything I posted (musical instruments, hair, tshirt, dress) does not work.  I think this is the first time I have tried to distribute stuff for from that computer so I might have some arrangement issues with where I have placed the data folder.

  • DiomedeDiomede Posts: 15,169
    edited October 2022

    My Mummy Entry - Genesis 8 Male Mummy in Carrara via Genesis 9

    One of my 4 entries will feature a mummy.  Hope everyone has a mummy (and a daddy).  

    Good news, Genesis 9 can be used in Carrara. 

    1)  Getting G9 in Carrara.  I followed Wendy, ProProse, and Bunyip's helpful advice found in this thread.

    https://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/597316/genesis-9-we-are-back-in-the-game-carrara-users/p1

    2)  Pick an Egyptian Themed Genesis 8 Character.  I picked the G8Male Mummy.

    3)  Use the previous generation clones that come with G9 to transfer G8Male shape as a morph for Genesis 9.  See this video.

    4)  For continued use, save as a Morph Asset.  I followed this video.

    5)  Open Carrara and Load the Genesis 9 in Carrara Figure saved as a 'blended weight' character preset in step 1.

    6)  Load and conform details like the blended eyebrows, eyes, eyelashes, etc also saved as character presets in step 1.

    7)  Select my Genesis 9 figure and find the morph I created and saved in steps 3 and 4.

    8)  Pose my mummy in Carrara, being careful to select true bones and not the twist sub-bones in the skeleton hierarchy.

     

     

    mummy in carrara png.png
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    aa01 g8 mummy by josh crocket.jpg
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    Post edited by Diomede on
  • DiomedeDiomede Posts: 15,169

    My Mummy Entry will Need a Lot of Work.

  • Bunyip02Bunyip02 Posts: 8,613

    Diomede said:

    My Mummy Entry will Need a Lot of Work.

    I'm sure you will get it wrapped up !!! wink

  • DiomedeDiomede Posts: 15,169
    edited October 2022

    Softbody Physics tests native to Carrara.

    The biggest problem I had with tests of Carrara's softbody physics back in 2012 was calculation time.  My computer has changed a lot in ten years.  Necause my VWD plugin is temporarily broken, I decided to revisit Carrara's native softbody physics.  Modern graphics cards make a big differences.  This was just a test.  I modeled a quick ragged top around my G9 figure with the G8 Mummy shape.  Did a variety of iterations of the test.  My most recent test took less than 5 minutes to calculate a 2-second drape sequence in which the mummy twists its torso and raises its arm.  

    There are several places to enable softbody physics.

    1) Change the draping object's motion type from keyframe to phsics in the motion tab.

    2) Change the draping object's physical properties of density bounce and friction in the object's effects tab

    3) Add a modifier to the draping object.  Choose softbody or softbody attach.  For these tests, I chose softbody, not softbody attach.

    4) Adjust softbody modifier settings.  In my most recent test, I decreased stiffness and bending, and checked 'margin' and set it to 44%, and set advanced quality to 30%.

    5) In the scene tab, under physics, I increased simulation accuracy to over 300%.

    bb01 model rag shirt on mummy.jpg
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    bb13bremove smoothing from mummy and took about 4 minutes eliminate chest poke through.jpg
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    Post edited by Diomede on
  • DiomedeDiomede Posts: 15,169
    edited October 2022

    Test render.  You can see some artifacts on the top.  I tried adding a smoothing modifier to the top which about doubled calculation time.  The current skin for the mummy is a procedural shader.

    bb14 test render.png
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    Post edited by Diomede on
  • WendyLuvsCatzWendyLuvsCatz Posts: 38,213

    remember to undial the smoothing to render it

  • DiomedeDiomede Posts: 15,169
    edited October 2022

    WIP.  Back to some landscapes with reflections and clouds and replicators now that I am at my desktop again.  Used an image editor for the main course of the river, which allowed me to use the same to create the distribution maps for replicators.  The river water itself is the old trick of applying a water shader to a terrain and then replicating it with 'seamless' enabled.  I tried to use a mixture of volumetric clouds and fog to get the haze.  There is one patch darker than the rest that needs investigation and editing.  I only used one or two grass models in the replicators for the WIP, so hopefully it will look better with more variety and an occasional palm tree or similar.  Additional terrains are in the distance and along the sides to give the sense of a valley.  One has a plateau filter for future pyramids.  I did like the way the water has a line of reflection from the sun but I think the atmosphere in general could be greatly improved.  Using the realistic sky editor general tools, not a preset at the moment.

    cc01 scene setup nile.jpg
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    CC02 Nile WIP.png
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    zip
    zip
    Egypt Stuff Zip.zip
    88K
    Post edited by Diomede on
  • DiomedeDiomede Posts: 15,169
    edited October 2022

    Update.

    CC03 Nile Landscape Custom Grass Reversed.png
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    Post edited by Diomede on
  • Bunyip02Bunyip02 Posts: 8,613

    Diomede said:

    Update.

    Looking good !!!!

  • UnifiedBrainUnifiedBrain Posts: 3,588
    edited November 2022

    Young Cleopatra Meets the God of Death

     

    In ancient Egypt, Osiris was the ruler of death and the underworld.  But he was also god of life, resurrection, and vegetation, so he wasn't all dark. :)

    A statue of Osiris:

     

    In the render, the ghostly vision of Osiris is composed of a statue included in the Ancient Egypt Exhibit, and the beard from Luthbel's Anunnaki.

    Young Cleopatra is Josie 6 - first time use.  The priestess is G3F, with the (mostly) standard Egyptian Outfit for G3F.- first time use  I added both headresses from Pharohs of the Sun for V4.  The tattoos are a Marcius skin (Alpha) no longer available at Daz.

    The palace guards are all variations of D3 and his Egyptian guard outfit - first time use of the outfit.

    The flames/energy were Jepes billboards augmented by Carrara lights.  Background structures are from Temple of the Pharohs - first time use.

    Effects in Carrara included edge falloff and depth of field.  And of course, GMIC played a major role.

    No postwork.

    Young Cleopatra Meets the God of Death.png
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    Young Cleopatra Carrara setup.JPG
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    Post edited by UnifiedBrain on
  • KhoeKhoe Posts: 312

    UnifiedBrain said:

    Young Cleopatra Meets the God of Death

     

    In ancient Egypt, Osiris was the ruler of death and the underworld.  But he was also god of life, resurrection, and vegetation, so he wasn't all dark. :)

    A statue of Osiris:

     

    In the render, the ghostly vision of Osiris is composed of a statue included in the Ancient Egypt Exhibit, and the beard from Luthbel's Anunnaki.

    Young Cleopatra is Josie 6 - first time use.  The priestess is G3F, with the (mostly) standard Egyptian Outfit for G3F.- first time use  I added both headresses from Pharohs of the Sun for V4.  The tattoos are a Marcius skin (Alpha) no longer available at Daz.

    The palace guards are all variations of D3 and his Egyptian guard outfit - first time use of the outfit.

    The flames/energy were Jepes billboards augmented by Carrara lights.  Background structures are from Temple of the Pharohs - first time use.

    Effects in Carrara included edge falloff and depth of field.  And of course, GMIC played a major role.

    No postwork.

    verry Interesstet image. 

     

  • evilproducerevilproducer Posts: 9,050
    edited November 2022

    Diomede said:

    Still experimenting with a variety of landscape designs for the delta.  Here is another WIP.  Lots of replicators.  Still not quite what I am looking for.

    Edit: I was going to comment based on this WIP, but I see you've done what I was going to suggest. Great job!

    Post edited by evilproducer on
  • evilproducerevilproducer Posts: 9,050
    edited November 2022

    Stezza said:

    Bunyip02 said:

    UnifiedBrain said:

    Bunyip02 said:

    Pleading with the Gods - Final

    Final Image

    Nice scene and use of Egyptian characters!  For me, the lighting is much improved.  I would still like to see more face detail, especially from the guy pleading his case.  I tend to emotionally connect to the render of a character when face expression and hand position are more emphasized.

    With the angle of the scene it is not possible to get a look at the Egyptians face without spinning the scene around. I did add a spotlight to lighten him up though !

    WIP

    Updated Image

    great idea... being gods I would have had them on top of the steps looking down at the morsel grovelling at the bottom of the steps for mercy angel

    I agree with Stezza. Having the gods on the steps would emphasize their power. I would also suggest a low camera angle. Looking up towards them would increase the visual impact, and/or scale, especially if it from the POV of the supplicant. I'll attach an example. or two. If you are worried about getting all the figures in frame, try using the wide angle camera and/or skewing your camera slightly diagnally. Good filmakers use this technique for dramatic effect (bad filmakers use it poorly). There is a technical name for the technique, but it escapes me.

    Winging it.jpg
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    Dystopi Dirigible V4_1.jpg
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    Post edited by evilproducer on
  • KhoeKhoe Posts: 312
    edited November 2022

    A few more wip pics only the link to older Wip
    https://www.daz3d.com/forums/uploads/FileUpload/e9/2c2b32e4a73f06b816aeacbce70d23.png
    then finished renderin and with postwork

     

    old egypt.jpg
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    old egypt-retusch.jpg
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    Post edited by Khoe on
  • Bunyip02Bunyip02 Posts: 8,613

    UnifiedBrain said:

    Young Cleopatra Meets the God of Death

     

    In ancient Egypt, Osiris was the ruler of death and the underworld.  But he was also god of life, resurrection, and vegetation, so he wasn't all dark. :)

    A statue of Osiris:

     

    In the render, the ghostly vision of Osiris is composed of a statue included in the Ancient Egypt Exhibit, and the beard from Luthbel's Anunnaki.

    Young Cleopatra is Josie 6 - first time use.  The priestess is G3F, with the (mostly) standard Egyptian Outfit for G3F.- first time use  I added both headresses from Pharohs of the Sun for V4.  The tattoos are a Marcius skin (Alpha) no longer available at Daz.

    The palace guards are all variations of D3 and his Egyptian guard outfit - first time use of the outfit.

    The flames/energy were Jepes billboards augmented by Carrara lights.  Background structures are from Temple of the Pharohs - first time use.

    Effects in Carrara included edge falloff and depth of field.  And of course, GMIC played a major role.

    No postwork.

    Very nice !!!

  • Bunyip02Bunyip02 Posts: 8,613

    evilproducer said:

    Stezza said:

    Bunyip02 said:

    UnifiedBrain said:

    Bunyip02 said:

    Pleading with the Gods - Final

    Final Image

    Nice scene and use of Egyptian characters!  For me, the lighting is much improved.  I would still like to see more face detail, especially from the guy pleading his case.  I tend to emotionally connect to the render of a character when face expression and hand position are more emphasized.

    With the angle of the scene it is not possible to get a look at the Egyptians face without spinning the scene around. I did add a spotlight to lighten him up though !

    WIP

    Updated Image

    great idea... being gods I would have had them on top of the steps looking down at the morsel grovelling at the bottom of the steps for mercy angel

    I agree with Stezza. Having the gods on the steps would emphasize their power. I would also suggest a low camera angle. Looking up towards them would increase the visual impact, and/or scale, especially if it from the POV of the supplicant. I'll attach an example. or two. If you are worried about getting all the figures in frame, try using the wide angle camera and/or skewing your camera slightly diagnally. Good filmakers use this technique for dramatic effect (bad filmakers use it poorly). There is a technical name for the technique, but it escapes me.

    Hello EP, thanks for the feedback - will have another look at the scene !!!

  • Bunyip02Bunyip02 Posts: 8,613

    Khoe said:

    A few more wip pics only the link to older Wip
    https://www.daz3d.com/forums/uploads/FileUpload/e9/2c2b32e4a73f06b816aeacbce70d23.png
    then finished renderin and with postwork

     

    Awesome - lots to look at !!!

  • Bunyip02Bunyip02 Posts: 8,613
    edited November 2022

    Okay moved the Gods to the top of the steps, and the groveller to the bottom.

    Tried a wide view but it shrunk the Gods in relation to the groveller which I was trying to avoid.

    WIP

    Render after Topaz postwork

    CC64 Pleading with the Gods WIP 6.png
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    CC64 Pleading with the Gods 2 Tpz.png
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    Post edited by Bunyip02 on
  • Bunyip02Bunyip02 Posts: 8,613
    edited November 2022

    Changed the angle and tried the wide view on it - like this one betterer !!!

    WIP

    Render after Topaz postwork

    CC64 Pleading with the Gods WIP 6b.png
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    CC64 Pleading with the Gods 2b Tpz.png
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    Post edited by Bunyip02 on
  • Looking good!

  • evilproducerevilproducer Posts: 9,050
    edited November 2022

    Bunyip02 said:

    Changed the angle and tried the wide view on it - like this one betterer !!!

    WIP

    Render after Topaz postwork

    As I said before, I think this looks much better. It looks more dynamic and less like a diorama.

     

    One other suggestion would be a way to pull the viewer's eye to your subjects. Using light is a great way to do this. The background temple should be darker than the subjects in the foreground. Not black by any means, especially since you have all that great detail on the walls and collumns. Using light and shadows will definitely help this pop.

     

    Edited to add that I noticed in a couple of your screne shots showing your setup, that there are braziers that would have most likely been used for lighting. Historiucally, they may have held would or some oil to burn and create light. You couild use those with either Carrara fire or a billboard with a 2D fire image and a light bulb set to the fire color with your desired brightness, rang, and falloff to light the backwalls

    Post edited by evilproducer on
  • DiomedeDiomede Posts: 15,169

    Yo, @EvilProducer,

    great to see you posting! 

    Hope you are well.  You have been missed. 

    All comments most welcome.

  • DiomedeDiomede Posts: 15,169
    edited November 2022

    Argh!

    I just am having endless frustrations this month.  Hard drive failure.  Content recovery.  Having to reinstall several programs.  Some plugins with file drive references having to be reinstalled.  No VWD.

    And now....

    ... the return of the mystry render error!

    Argh, argh, argh.

    Setting up a basic dramatic secret-lovers-caught scene.  Two figures in foreground with Egyptian architecture in background.  Doorway to have figure catching the lovers.  Simple, right?  Step by step setting up the background, do some test renders, adjust shaders, repeat.  Test renders fine.  Add one foreground figure and adjust lighting and shaders.  Test renders.  Adjust camera.  More test renders.  Test renders fine.  Add a second foreground figure and adjust.  Test renders...

    Mystery Render Error. 

    Turn off visibility of second foreground figure.  Still mystery render error.  Insert new camera.  Still mystery render error.  Point new camera away from scene at a simple static prop.  Still mystery render error.

    Argh, argh, argh.

     

    error 2.jpg
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    error 3.jpg
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    error 4.jpg
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    error occurred.jpg
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    error scene 1.jpg
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    Post edited by Diomede on
  • sometimes it's a specific texture, often a tiff or bmp file

  • DiomedeDiomede Posts: 15,169

    WendyLuvsCatz said:

    sometimes it's a specific texture, often a tiff or bmp file

    Thanks.  Have been testing removing each scene element and then clearing unused objects and shaders.  Nothing seems to be the cause.  Argh.

  • StezzaStezza Posts: 8,061

    @diomede I bags the replicator

     

    hope you find the culprit... it's looking great yes

     

  • StezzaStezza Posts: 8,061

    evilproducer said:

    Bunyip02 said:

    Changed the angle and tried the wide view on it - like this one betterer !!!

    WIP

    Render after Topaz postwork

    As I said before, I think this looks much better. It looks more dynamic and less like a diorama.

     

    One other suggestion would be a way to pull the viewer's eye to your subjects. Using light is a great way to do this. The background temple should be darker than the subjects in the foreground. Not black by any means, especially since you have all that great detail on the walls and collumns. Using light and shadows will definitely help this pop.

     

    Edited to add that I noticed in a couple of your screne shots showing your setup, that there are braziers that would have most likely been used for lighting. Historiucally, they may have held would or some oil to burn and create light. You couild use those with either Carrara fire or a billboard with a 2D fire image and a light bulb set to the fire color with your desired brightness, rang, and falloff to light the backwalls

    great to see you dipping your toes back on the forum oh evil one devil

    being on top of the steps makes a big difference.. agree on lighting, may take a few coloured spotties with selections in the all objects and/or only selections.. I would also use DOF on the camera to dullen the background to bring out the figures more...

    doing great @Bunyip02  yes

  • Bunyip02Bunyip02 Posts: 8,613

    Diomede said:

    Argh!

    I just am having endless frustrations this month.  Hard drive failure.  Content recovery.  Having to reinstall several programs.  Some plugins with file drive references having to be reinstalled.  No VWD.

    And now....

    ... the return of the mystry render error!

    Argh, argh, argh.

    Setting up a basic dramatic secret-lovers-caught scene.  Two figures in foreground with Egyptian architecture in background.  Doorway to have figure catching the lovers.  Simple, right?  Step by step setting up the background, do some test renders, adjust shaders, repeat.  Test renders fine.  Add one foreground figure and adjust lighting and shaders.  Test renders.  Adjust camera.  More test renders.  Test renders fine.  Add a second foreground figure and adjust.  Test renders...

    Mystery Render Error. 

    Turn off visibility of second foreground figure.  Still mystery render error.  Insert new camera.  Still mystery render error.  Point new camera away from scene at a simple static prop.  Still mystery render error.

    Argh, argh, argh.

    Hope you get it sorted Diomede !!!

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