The latest DAZ product, called PoseWorks PowerDials puzzles me. What can be the point of using mathematical formulae to set the side-side or twist channel of a body part ? Is it something that can be used in animation only ? It seems it can help build up joint controlled morphs (attributing a morph value as a math function of a parameter value), but I can think of no other use for it. It says that it had an easier interface for Pythin scripts than Poser, which would be a good thing indeed, but the description is not very detailled. Has anyone had any experience with it ? Any information welcome. Compiler

You might want to email the author and invite him into the post to explain some of it's possible applications.

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I am intersted in it also

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I don't plan on getting it because I don't do animation, but it looks awesomely useful for that. You could make any sort of machine work, you could do real waves, you could have realistic gravity on falling objects, launch projectiles in parabolic arcs, make ropes swing and sag realistically etc. If it includes some randomisation functions, you could probably make groups of props move as though they were in a wirlwinds or an avalanch or something. Of course, you have to know your physics to use it to its full potential. If I did much animation, I'd grab it like a shot. In still images, I guess you could use it to make arranging body parts or props in particular patterns fast and easy, but I can't think of too many still picture applications. To me it looks like a great tool for the serious animator.

Thanks for your answer Ajax.

It's main use is definitely to simulate JCM. It can go beyond the traditional JCM set ups as well because it can use multiple dials and more robust math than addition and subtraction in figuring a parameter's value. Additionally, it's the only way to date to do this from inside of Poser, which lets you get real time feed back and make your changes a lot faster than text editting the cr2. Aside from linking dials together, it can simplify a few tasks in setting up a still scene (getting things to move relative to one another while you're tweaking your composition), but the main applications are for animation or building specialized figures (like a robot who would have moving gears). I hope this helps, if you'd like to see a bit more about how the product works, you can visit http://poseworks.8m.com/support.html and view the help files for PowerDials and Manager online.

Linking Dials! Ahhhh. = )