DAZ Studio
Encyclopedia
DAZ Studio is a 3D figure illustration/animation application released by DAZ 3D Inc. It is compatible with most files intended for use by Poser. It is available free of charge (registration required). Version 1.0 was released in Fall 2005. Version 4.0.0.335 is the current release as of June 29, 2011 . Until version 1.7 it was officially known as DAZ|Studio.
In comparison to Poser, DAZ Studio uses a different core business model. Poser provides a large set of components, not all essential to the creation of imagery, in a commercially available programme. DAZ Studio provides a core free of charge program with the required features for the creation of imagery, while relegating other features to add-on 'plug-ins', usually commercially available, which the user may add.
DAZ Studio is capable of importing most Poser content, with the notable exceptions of dynamic clothing and dynamic hair. As a result of the different lighting models, lights may need to be tweaked or replaced and while textures are generally usable between the two (other than Poser node-based materials), optimum results may need slightly different lighting values for each.
allowing the user to add and manipulate models within the scene, add and manipulate morphs (body-shape changes), adjust the textures applied to models, add and adjust lighting and to fine-tune the render process.
DAZ Studio is bundled with a hard-linked (non-standalone) version of the 3Delight
renderer. This is a RenderMan-compliant
renderer. RenderMan is commonly used in the production of blockbuster
visual effects
. The renderer is able to render higher order surfaces like true subdivision surfaces (already implemented in DAZ Studio) and supports true 3D motion blur
and depth of field
. As of version 3.0, DAZ Studio has been updated to exploit more features of the 3Delight render engine. Some advanced features may still require use of an exported scene file and the stand-alone version of the tool.
DAZ Studio does not yet support dynamic hair, tapering of body parts, or (in the Mac OS X
version) texture maps in the PICT format. Dynamic Clothing support was added using a plug-in released in 2009, however the Poser and DAZ Studio implementations of Dynamic Clothing are mutually incompatible. Other commercial plug-ins provide alternate rendering, lighting, animation and other capabilities.
DAZ Studio 3.0 was released in June 2009. The basic DAZ Studio 3.0 follows the free software model of earlier releases, retaining all previous features while adding in several new ones. At the same time, DAZ Productions introduced a commercially available version, DAZ Studio 3.0 Advanced which introduces additional features beyond those in the basic version:
Overview
Unlike most 3D software, where 3D objects are usually created from scratch, DAZ Studio is designed to allow users to manipulate "ready to use" models and figures. It is aimed at users who are interested in posing human and non-human figures for illustrations and animation, but who do not wish to incur the expense of, or who may be daunted by higher-end 3D and CAD software. It was created as a direct alternative to Poser by DAZ Productions, the company that (as Zygote) created the built-in content for earlier versions of Poser.In comparison to Poser, DAZ Studio uses a different core business model. Poser provides a large set of components, not all essential to the creation of imagery, in a commercially available programme. DAZ Studio provides a core free of charge program with the required features for the creation of imagery, while relegating other features to add-on 'plug-ins', usually commercially available, which the user may add.
DAZ Studio is capable of importing most Poser content, with the notable exceptions of dynamic clothing and dynamic hair. As a result of the different lighting models, lights may need to be tweaked or replaced and while textures are generally usable between the two (other than Poser node-based materials), optimum results may need slightly different lighting values for each.
Features
DAZ Studio has a simple user interfaceUser interface
The user interface, in the industrial design field of human–machine interaction, is the space where interaction between humans and machines occurs. The goal of interaction between a human and a machine at the user interface is effective operation and control of the machine, and feedback from the...
allowing the user to add and manipulate models within the scene, add and manipulate morphs (body-shape changes), adjust the textures applied to models, add and adjust lighting and to fine-tune the render process.
DAZ Studio is bundled with a hard-linked (non-standalone) version of the 3Delight
3Delight
3Delight is a proprietary, photorealistic, RenderMan-compliant offline renderer.It is developed by DNA Research, or DNA in short, a subsidiary of Taarna Studios.-Features:...
renderer. This is a RenderMan-compliant
RenderMan Interface Specification
The RenderMan Interface Specification, or RISpec in short, is an open API developed by Pixar Animation Studios to describe three-dimensional scenes and turn them into digital photorealistic images...
renderer. RenderMan is commonly used in the production of blockbuster
Blockbuster (entertainment)
Blockbuster, as applied to film or theatre, denotes a very popular or successful production. The entertainment industry use was originally theatrical slang referring to a particularly successful play but is now used primarily by the film industry...
visual effects
Visual effects
Visual effects are the various processes by which imagery is created and/or manipulated outside the context of a live action shoot. Visual effects involve the integration of live-action footage and generated imagery to create environments which look realistic, but would be dangerous, costly, or...
. The renderer is able to render higher order surfaces like true subdivision surfaces (already implemented in DAZ Studio) and supports true 3D motion blur
Motion blur
Motion blur is the apparent streaking of rapidly moving objects in a still image or a sequence of images such as a movie or animation. It results when the image being recorded changes during the recording of a single frame, either due to rapid movement or long exposure.- Photography :When a camera...
and depth of field
Depth of field
In optics, particularly as it relates to film and photography, depth of field is the distance between the nearest and farthest objects in a scene that appear acceptably sharp in an image...
. As of version 3.0, DAZ Studio has been updated to exploit more features of the 3Delight render engine. Some advanced features may still require use of an exported scene file and the stand-alone version of the tool.
DAZ Studio does not yet support dynamic hair, tapering of body parts, or (in the Mac OS X
Mac OS X
Mac OS X is a series of Unix-based operating systems and graphical user interfaces developed, marketed, and sold by Apple Inc. Since 2002, has been included with all new Macintosh computer systems...
version) texture maps in the PICT format. Dynamic Clothing support was added using a plug-in released in 2009, however the Poser and DAZ Studio implementations of Dynamic Clothing are mutually incompatible. Other commercial plug-ins provide alternate rendering, lighting, animation and other capabilities.
DAZ Studio 3.0 was released in June 2009. The basic DAZ Studio 3.0 follows the free software model of earlier releases, retaining all previous features while adding in several new ones. At the same time, DAZ Productions introduced a commercially available version, DAZ Studio 3.0 Advanced which introduces additional features beyond those in the basic version:
- an animation keyframe editor
- a faster render engine
- better Open GL display
- Morph Follower improves the fit of clothing to different morphs (DS3A only)
- Figure Mixer allows the creative recombination of the features of different figures (DS3A only)
- Shader Mixer allows the creation of new shaders (DS3A only)
See also
- PoserPoserPoser is a 3D CGI rendering and animation software program optimized for models that depict the human figure in three-dimensional form, mostly used to pose and animate the figures in a similar way as a mannequin...
– a commercial alternative to DAZ Studio. - MakeHumanMakeHumanMakeHuman is an Open Source software application that generates 3D humanoids.Features that make this software unique include a new, highly intuitive GUI and a high quality mesh, optimized to work in subdivision surface mode ....
- BryceBryce (software)Bryce is a 3D modeling, rendering and animation program specializing in fractal landscapes. The name is taken from Bryce Canyon—a rugged region with many of the same landscapes that were first simulated with the software.- History :...
– DAZ Studio functions as a Bryce plugin. - iClone StudioICloneiClone is a 3D rendering and animation software program that enables users to make 3D animated films. It is notable for being one of the very few animation softwares that use a real-time "WYSIWYG" view to let animators see the results of their work immediately, and to play back animations in the...
– real-time animation software - AvimatorAvimatorAvimator is a basic BVH editor, originally written for use with Second Life, as a simple inexpensive alternative to commercial 3D rendering and animation software, such as Poser and Maya. It is open source software, and is based on the FLTK toolkit.Avimator is available for Microsoft Windows,...
a simple open source BVH editor, (now replaced by a Qt port, Qavimator)